Ride Into The Wind

     I choose to ride into the Wind.  Its not easy.  But I don't want the easy road.  Is that wrong?  Today there was a headwind.  Today there was a long hill.  A hill with a headwind!  Yay!  I torture myself to gain strength for bigger rides to come.  A battle between my mind and my body's rhythm will surface.  My mind attempts to convince my body that its finished, that I should turn around.  Yet, my feet still revolve as my heart and breath beat like the whole notes of a heavy reggae song.  

     It is this rhythm that moves me forward, both on my bicycle and in my life.  Sometimes, in life you must also choose to ride into the wind.  For me, this equates to building a life that is different and unexpected.  A life that is shared immensely, but also contains a secret space for myself to escape to.  A life where I can inspire others by pushing my limits, frequently stepping outside my comfort zone, and continuing to connect the world around me.  None of this will be easy.  I am not a rider who drops into a low gear ratio and spins up a hill.  The quick pedaling speed doesn't suit my personality.  I prefer to stay in higher gears, take the weight, and with my mellow beat feel each step of the way.  

     Then, will come the downhill.  Why is speed such a satisfying feeling?  Whether on my bicycle or my snowboard, bombing a curvy mountain path makes me just feel...Beautiful.  Maybe its the graceful body movements as I tuck and drop into fast curves.  Maybe its the way the air feels moving over my bare skin.  Maybe it is self-satisfaction and confidence for achieving the top of that hill I just climbed.  For a moment I am like the Raven, riding the air currents with out effort....

I push back, 

     release my hands from the bars, 

           and straighten my arms out to each side.  

Flying.

     When I started my ride today, Green Day's "21 Guns" kicked off my thoughts by asking if I "knew what's worth fighting for."  As I rode back toward town to end the ride, the low sunlight added an extra orange hue to the already red rock cliffs, and "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey kicked up on my ipod. 

"working hard to get my fill

everybody wants a thrill

paying anything to roll the dice... just one more time

some will win, some will loose"

...

"but don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling"

     So I won't Stop... Believing in what I'm riding for.  Because if I keep on riding my bike, things will fall into place.  And I believe that, because it has already started happening.