I'd Rather Be Out on My Bike

I like to ride bikes. A lot. I can't actually pin point the exact reason why, and don't think I ever will. For every different season of life, there is a different reason to ride. For every different mood of the day, there is a different motive to keep going.

I've ridden to get away from the stress of school, to forget about work, and to block out thoughts. I’ve ridden to relieve the pain of heartbreak and to celebrate the joy of finding someone new. I've ridden to get in shape, to stay in shape, to lose weight, to get fast, to gain endurance. I've ridden with friends to enjoy their company, to share my life, to listen to theirs, to share my woes, and to listen to theirs.

I've ridden to be alone, to bask in the solitude of an empty road. I've ridden to the sound of nothing but the leaves in the wind, to the sound of my own heart beating, my own breath gasping, and my own chain squeaking. I've ridden to the sounds of Ben Folds, Beyonce, Wicked, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Colbie Caillat, and U2.

I've ridden away from people, places, problems, and feelings, and ridden into strange places, new places, new people, and strange people. I’ve ridden to gain clarity. I’ve ridden to make tears stop. I’ve ridden till I couldn’t ride anymore.

I've ridden longer and farther than I ever thought I would. I’ve accomplished feats I never dreamed possible. Ridden faster, further, longer, over bigger hills, down steeper hills, around lakes, and around mountains.

I've broken skin, wheels, and handlebars. I've torn jerseys, shorts, and socks; scraped knuckles, wrist, legs, arms, stomachs, shins, paint, and saddles. I've ridden into physical injury, with only scars now to remind me of the pain. I've ridden into emotional healing, with only memories now to remind me of the pain.
Riding has taught me to be tough, has taught me to persevere, has taught me to take pride in my abilities, and humility in my shortcomings. I've worked hard, I've slacked, taken the hard road home, taken the easy way out. I've gone the extra mile, climbed the extra hill, felt the pain of exertion, and appreciated the joy of relaxing.
I've ridden to train, to get fast, to finish long events, to sprint, to practice handling, to practice riding with no hands, to get a tan, and just to get away.

I ride to think. I ride to ponder. I ride to let my mind wander. I've had my best ideas while out pushing myself... and my worst ideas.

I've ridden to get away from pain, ridden to feel pain, and ridden in spite of pain. I've ridden to prove to myself I could, ridden to prove to others I could, ridden for noble reasons, ridden for foolish reasons, ridden out of humility, ridden out of pride. I've been out there during the highest of highs, when it felt like the even the top of the world was under me, and I've been out there at the lowest of lows, when I felt like nothing was worth living for.

I've ridden myself into who I am. Riding has allowed me to shape, mold, build, and rebuild myself into existence. Out on my bike, I am able to deal with life and cope with what is real. Out on my bike I have been who I was, am who I am, and will be what I am to become.

Riding has made me who I am and taught me what I know.

And that is why I would rather be out on my bike.