The first Big Ride

I did it, I did it and I survived.  Earlier this week after attending a day long workshop I was eager to hit the road and put my behind on a bicycle seat.  After attaching the new rearview mirror to the helmet, so I could only see the tree tops on the other side of the road, it has since been fixed and now I can see behind my shoulder; I started pedaling.  I kind of knew where I was going, if anything I was on an adventure, be what may I figured I could always use my phone and ask it to take me home.
The first hill came and went without much huffing and puffing and the bike seemed to glide over the roadway.  I stopped about five miles into the ride and not knowing exactly where I was going I tried setting up map my ride app, no luck, it was taking too long and the sun does not wait for one that tarry for an app.
So off I went, riding blind but with some clue as to where I was going, as I tell the boys, " you are never lost, its just an unplanned adventure."  After hitting the ten mile mark of the ride, I had a little mishap, the chain came off.  The worse part of it, it was completely my fault, you see I am still learning the gears and how to shift and all that fun stuff, and somehow I messed up and off came the chain.  The worse part was it was while I was climbing a very big hill.  Bummer, I had to walk up the hill because I could not get started and find the right gear while straining to ride up this hill.  But the high light of this event is it offered me the chance to try the app once again and low and behold it worked and now I knew where I was, best of all, I was not lost. 
The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, two dogs came after me, in which I learned you don't need to be fast, just faster than the dog on your heals.  There were two more big hills and I did not pop the chain off again but I also could not find the lower gear to make the climb any easier, so I had the opportunity to walk and stretch out those calves.  The part of the ride was the best, it was all down hill and it ended at the baseball field where I was able to pick up Mathew and walk home with him. 
I love the opportunity to walk and talk with my boys, especially when its just the two of us.  I have found at those times they are the more responsive and the most open to discussions.  There are no tv's, no ipods, no other siblings, and no chores needing done during those times.  Although I do enjoy some quiet time alone I relish and recharge the most during these wonderful times spent together. 
As I continue to train for the big bike ride, I am glad for the opportunities to just walk my bike with my boys.  When it is time to hit the road and ride for a week, I will gather my strength by remembering these special moments and be thankful for the opportunity to have more as they continue to grow into mature, responsible young gentlemen and yet set aside time to spend walking a bike with mom.

p.s. the entire ride was twenty miles, only five more rotations of that route to replicate day two of the tour.  I can do this, I may not be able to move afterwards very fast, but I can do this.

writing assignment

Sometimes the urge is overwhelming to write something and I am glad to say this week was one of those weeks.  Although it was not the true assignment I am glad to say I did something, maybe next week I will do the assignment.  So here it is, I am not sure where it is going, but it was fun starting it:

“Take my hand, child, the time has come,”  I reached for his hand and then hesitated for a moment.  His hands were well worn and showed the trials and battles he had endured.

“Please,  I am not sure I am ready to know…what if….?”  I did not recognize my own voice, gone was the self confident young lady and she was replaced with a small child who sounded lost and alone.  I had become so scared my whole body began to shake and I was not sure if I had the strength to even move my feet or raise my hand to his.

“ Child, trust me, trust your ancestors.  They have made this possible.  It is time for you to believe in yourself as they believed in you then and now.  Your ancestors will give you the strength when you need it the most.  It is not my hand you grasp but all of them united together.”  

I closed my eyes, took a deep breathe, calmed my racing heart and grasped his outreached hand.  I said a silent prayer asking for an open mind, strength to move forward and guidance to accept the answers to questions not yet formulated.  As I felt my body relax I gave his hand a small squeeze to indicate I was ready; I feared my voice would betray me and reveal how scared I still was, so I remained silent.

“ Sit on the ground in front of me, open your mind and your senses.  Keep your eyes closed, do not open them till I instruct you.  Listen to the life surrounding you.  Listen to the chickadees in the pines, listen to the chipmunks making a nest in the hollow log.”

I closed out my wandering thoughts and did as he asked.  I found myself being entranced by everything I listened to, and it felt as though I was not just hearing them, but I was living through them.  Suddenly I felt the presense of another life force, it felt darker and predatory.  I wasn’t alone in knowing we were being watched, the other animals became silent and stopped moving.

“ there are those who do not want you to know the truth and they will try and stop you.  Alone they may defeat you, but you are not alone, remember always you are not alone.  “

He grasped my other hand and suddenly I felt as though I was surrounded by a power so strong I knew the intruder could not harm me.  I was confident now, stronger, my ancestors had truly wrapped their arms around me in protection and nothing could harm me.

I heard a soft chuckle where the predator stood off to the side.  Slowly the chuckle became more distant.

“I will be back, I have been very patient waiting for your return.  Soon you will know my name and it will pass over  your lips with love.  When you remember I will be there.  Come and find me nidawi, so I can finish what you started.”   Nidawi means fairy girl in omaha.

Proud new Owner

Well its official, there is no turning back now, I am the proud new owner of a new to me bike.  Not exactly the bike I thought I would be buying this Spring, but who knows what each day will bring and what new endeavors? 
This is what I thought I would be buying, isn't she a beauty?  Check out the chrome  :)




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And this is what I purchased:

 The one I bought requires a little more energy and surprisingly some new gear.  Oh dear, I guess I will have to go shopping.  The best thing is I got a heck of a deal on the bike,  brand new it would have sold for $1200, I paid only $525; plus $90 for two new tires.  That is one heck of a deal if I ever saw one, and now I can afford to go out and buy my kayak so the boys and I can get on the water before my big travels of May begin.  Now to come up with a name for the bike.
So far this week I have only rode for 2 hours, not much I know, but I did ride in the gym for three hours so far this week.  I am hopeful the weather will cooperate tonight and maybe I can get some more riding time.  I am slowly learning how to ride again, I never had this fancy of a bike in my life before.  Who knew your brake lever is the same for your gear shifts?  Not this girl. 
This week I have learned how to change my tires, which is a pain in the butt.  What the little doo hickey is next to the chain and how to remove it so when it fails and your chain slips you can fix it.  I have learned how to fix said chain.  I have learned the computer that comes with the bike talks to me, which was very freaky.  She must like sitting in the car because she never talked to me before I put her in the car and then she gave me the lowdown on my last ride which was over twelve hours ago.  I have learned how to take off and put back on my tires, note you do not have to unscrew both ends all the way, if you do, keep track of the springs. 
Most importantly I have learned gear is really really expensive.  I need new sunglasses, shoes, shirts, pants, sun protection, jacket and I am sure something else I am missing.  But all in due time and I will have it all and be styling as I go down the road. 
When I stop and think what I could have had and what I do have, I am thankful.  The one I have will get me in shape and challenge me to the fullest extent; and the one I could have had is just going to have to wait a little while longer.  Maybe by the time I get it there will be room in the garage for it; now I am dreaming.