October 1, 2012.

October. Crisp sunny days, cool dark nights…both perfect for bike riding…though I think any weather is perfect for bike riding, all weather of course except the ceaseless pouring rain that was the first day of the 2012 Pisgah Stage Race…OMG!!!…check out our you tube movie of that day…thankfully it was warm in late September in North Carolina and so it wasn’t that bad riding in it…but oh the fine silty glistening sand that found its way EVERYWHERE!!! Tons o’ fun, Pisgah, and on my list for 2013 fo’sure.

There are so many events all over, almost weekly in our little corner of the world, next up Pulse Racing  single track challenge at hardwood, the Bettys clinic, and everywhere else it seems, as biking of all sorts becomes more and more popular as a mainstream pastime. We had our 3rd annual CBC Sports Day Open House ride the other night and when Betty and CBC producer, Lisa Fender, asked me for a quote for her follow-up article, regarding why I’m so keen on sharing this sport all could think of was how I continuously get ‘Ah ha’ moments when riding, like seriously “who knew?!” thoughts while I’m riding, thinking about all the Bettys I ride and race with wishing they were with me to share that particular ride.

Hopefully, we all get a chance as a kid to learn to ride a bike. Traditionally and developmentally kids can learn to ride a bike around the age of 5 or 6, though the new run bikes are bringing that age down to even 2 or 3. Although we may learn to ride a bike early on we often take that skill for granted. You know that expression? ‘Like riding a bike’ implying that once learned, never forgotten…which I do agree is true but oh, the things one can do on a bike! I have only recently begun to really have the feeling of being at one, in sync, with my bike regularly on the trail…the ability to hop off obstacles, flow with the terrain, climb up on roots on the uphills, is new to me and is so much fun!!! Who Knew!! The escapism factor has certainly played an enormous role for me personally as riding a bike is a solitary endeavour, no one else but you are responsible for getting up that hill, over that obstacle or down the trail, real undivided concentration and,effort is needed to achieve that and there is no room in my little brain for my worries on the trail. The sense of accomplishment is also addictive. Addictive behaviours are reinforced when the consequences of a particular behaviour are random, the optimism and hope of success, not the certainty, makes one compelled to try something again and again. Certainty leads to boredom and abandonment, but  risk spurns one on.

And of course there is the element of competition, “she did it so surely, I can do it, and maybe even better or faster", or “it took me three tries last time, I’ll get it on the first try this ride”. All busy conversations going on in my head on the trail, along with, “Wish______ were here to ride this too.” So that is why I am so keen to share. Won’t you come with me?

Ride On!

Melinda