Natalie Simmons
Professor Malenke
25 September 2017
“Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving,” (Albert Einstein). I believe in the power of biking. I know firsthand how a bicycle can provide independence, and push oneself to the limit. I have cycled 421 miles in just seven days in Florida. I often reminisce on my journey, and hear those faint shouts “car back! car up!” frequently in my head. Four years ago, the prospect of biking 60 miles a day seemed almost impossible, like climbing Mt. McKinley. However, my journey has allowed me to discover freedom that comes with pushing yourself to the limit, and the transformation has been incredible.
I began to love biking from the age of 7 when I received …show more content…
My muscles worn-out, chafing, tiredness and aching pain in my buttocks would already start before the ride even started. I couldn’t imagine biking 60 miles day after day, but by being optimistic I still looked forward to the ride every …show more content…
I have grown to love going uphill, as much as downhill. One day when pedaling up this very steep sand dune, with the gusty wind going against me I remember my friend saying, “If you give up now, you lose your momentum.” Hearing that immediately made getting to the top of that sand dune my goal, and I became fully immersed in the task at hand that was optimally challenging. I began to realize cycling is also about pushing yourself to the limit, and the trek up the steep sand dune was the opportunity for when I could do that and truly test myself. I had underestimated the ease of getting lost due to biking hazards. GPS and maps came in use, but to avoid trucks and major roads, it was common to bike down very unclear roads and non-paved roads such as through sand dunes and forests. It was common for us 41 bikers to get lost when we had to bike on roads that didn’t exist on the map or GPS, but it was those times that brought us closer because we had the freedom to navigate and explore on our own. Being lost gave us the freedom to go wherever we wanted to
Professor Malenke
25 September 2017
“Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving,” (Albert Einstein). I believe in the power of biking. I know firsthand how a bicycle can provide independence, and push oneself to the limit. I have cycled 421 miles in just seven days in Florida. I often reminisce on my journey, and hear those faint shouts “car back! car up!” frequently in my head. Four years ago, the prospect of biking 60 miles a day seemed almost impossible, like climbing Mt. McKinley. However, my journey has allowed me to discover freedom that comes with pushing yourself to the limit, and the transformation has been incredible.
I began to love biking from the age of 7 when I received …show more content…
My muscles worn-out, chafing, tiredness and aching pain in my buttocks would already start before the ride even started. I couldn’t imagine biking 60 miles day after day, but by being optimistic I still looked forward to the ride every …show more content…
I have grown to love going uphill, as much as downhill. One day when pedaling up this very steep sand dune, with the gusty wind going against me I remember my friend saying, “If you give up now, you lose your momentum.” Hearing that immediately made getting to the top of that sand dune my goal, and I became fully immersed in the task at hand that was optimally challenging. I began to realize cycling is also about pushing yourself to the limit, and the trek up the steep sand dune was the opportunity for when I could do that and truly test myself. I had underestimated the ease of getting lost due to biking hazards. GPS and maps came in use, but to avoid trucks and major roads, it was common to bike down very unclear roads and non-paved roads such as through sand dunes and forests. It was common for us 41 bikers to get lost when we had to bike on roads that didn’t exist on the map or GPS, but it was those times that brought us closer because we had the freedom to navigate and explore on our own. Being lost gave us the freedom to go wherever we wanted to