Country Roads - Lessons from the Road
I’ve penned a few posts about my physical wellness journey here over the past year or so. Posts about getting stronger, more mobile, and independent because of it. And, I’ve explained how this has affected my holistic health and wellness, as a result. I’ve penned some that I’ve shared here, and others that I have not shared, as yet. I came across one such post this morning, while going through some of my old writing. A post called, “Country Roads”; Lessons from the Road. A post, where I explain what I’ve learned; about myself, my strength, life and wellness, as a whole. Lessons about; focus, perspective, taking time and allowing for rest and recovery, and about enjoying the journey, itself as well as, the view along the way.
A post, like many others sitting in my, “to be finished later” folder, was incomplete. Incomplete, I suppose, because I hadn’t finished learning the full value of the lessons that the road had to teach me. Until yesterday; when I completed my first outdoor ride in nearly two weeks (after having ridden over 500 kms in the month of August). And, in doing so, realized once again, just how much I need the road. How much I need the road; for exercise, for quiet, for peace, for venting, for exploring, and for active meditation. How much I need these country roads in my life, in whatever form that takes. Because, without these country roads, I am incomplete. Without these country roads, I wouldn’t have learned some of these lessons.
Lessons about;
Focus – that, whether in riding, or in life, what we focus on becomes what we believe to be true. And, can interfere with our ability to overcome challenges. If we focus on the challenge, itself versus what we can do to overcome these challenges and obstacles. In riding, I’ve found that if I focus on the hills that I need to climb, the hills becomes a greater challenge. Just like in my life, when I focus on the hill that I’m climbing, it becomes more difficult to climb. Sometimes, focusing on the hill, I can psyche myself out before I even begin the climb. The more I ride, and more hills I find myself having to climb, the more I’ve learned to focus less on the hills, and more on what is carrying me up these hills. Riding; I focus on the bike, the tires, the pedals, gears and chain. And, I focus on my body’s strength. I focus on my feet and legs, pushing the pedals that will help me climb that hill. In life, I now focus on what is pushing, carrying or motivating me, versus the ‘hill’ I need to climb.
Perspective – During one of my rides, I remember going down a hill that I usually drove down. I remember the feeling of flying, as I ripped down the hill on my bike, and how it felt so different riding down it on my bike, then it did in the car. In the car, it was still a fun hill, because of how steep the incline was and the inertia of it; I could take my foot off the gas, and still make it up the other hill without applying any gas because of how steep the first hill was. It was fun to ride down that hill in my car but thrilling on my bicycle. Thrilling, but also a little terrifying; without the protection, the vehicle afforded me. Without the doors and hood, and windshield; and the brakes. Riding on a bike, braking on a bike, crashing on a bike were entirely different experiences. So, I had to be warier on my bicycle. I had to view it from a different perspective, in order to be safe. I did view it; the same hill, from a different perspective. Because of circumstance upon which I was experiencing this hill each time. And that afforded me some pretty incredible insight into life; about how perspective changes our experiences. How we can change our experience by changing the perspective from which we view it, and experience it. Good or bad.
Terrain – Like life, sometimes the roads are rocky, sometimes they’re smooth. Sometimes, it’s hard on my bike. Sometimes, it’s hard on me, and it’s hard to motivate myself to even get out there, let alone ride on those rocky roads. But every time I brave these roads, and each new terrain I’m met with, I get stronger. And, as I get stronger, and more accustomed to the terrain, I learn to navigate it better. I learn how to ride on the terrain that I am on; on a variety of different terrains and roads. And, as I learn to navigate each terrain, it gets easier to ride on. And, like with every ride, there is always smooth sailing for at least a part of my rides and journey’s. I’ve learned to recognize these smoother terrains as a gift, and I’ve learned to rest a little on those smoother terrains.
Fighting the Elements – Like riding, life has its own good and bad days. Some days it’s sunny and warm. Some days are filled with wind and storms. Some days, I’m able to bask in the sunshine and warmth. Other days I feel like I’m battling storms, or drowning in a torrential downpour. Just like riding outdoors. Some rides are smooth and sunny, and I enjoy those rides; the smooth sailing/riding. Feel the heat on my skin, soaking up the sunshine and vitamin D, and bask in all of its glory, while moving down these roads with ease. Other days, I’m fighting the elements; pushing against the wind, navigating through the torrential downpours, trying desperately not to lose my tires’ grip on the road. Trying to keep warm; constantly moving, not stopping long enough to freeze on those cold, early winter days. Knowing, that there will be these days, and that somehow, I’ll get through if I keep moving; keep riding. And, that there will be more sunny days ahead. Sunny days, that will make the rainy, windy or stormy days I endured worth fighting through the stormy days. And, that the rainy, stormy, windy days that I endured, made me a stronger and more adaptable rider. And, that means that I can ride safely and effectively in any weather; adapt to any of the elements to get the most out of my rides. Get the most out of my life.
Gear/Tools in my Toolbox – Having the appropriate cycling gear helps with this; the right clothing for the elements. The right tires, tire pressure, helmet, phone and ear bud protection so, I’ve got the music to help drive me when I’m ready to give up and quit riding some days. The right shoes. Socks appropriate for the weather. Something to track my ride; to track my progress, and a beacon option to send to someone else, in case my ride gets disrupted by a flat, or other gear malfunctions. Or, by the elements. Just like how, having the right tools in my tool box for life and existential challenges, helps me along my life journey. Helps make this ride I’m on, a bit smoother.
Switching Gears – And, when the terrain is rough, when I find myself battling the elements, or focusing on the climbs, and am ready to give up because of all of the obstacles within my ride, that I’m fighting so hard to overcome, I’ve learned how to use my gears properly. I’ve learned to switch gears throughout my rides, just like in life, when necessary. I have learned what each gear is for, and what it helps me accomplish throughout each of these rides. Which gears work on which roads, on which terrains, or when the elements are creating further challenges and placing obstacles in my way. And, I’ve transferred and applied that knowledge to my life, as well. Applied the ‘switching gears’ idea to existential obstacles and challenges. If I do it on the road, during my ride, it makes my rides better. Same applies in life. Something’s not working? Maybe it’s time to switch gears.
Rest and Recovery – Sometimes, I have to stop at the top of a very steep incline; a huge climb, to catch my breath and take a sip of water. Sometimes, I get through the ride and get home before I have to rest. Both, are necessary. Both, are important lessons in cycling and, in life. Sometimes, I can stretch it out, hydrate and breathe through it on the fly. Some days, I need an hour long, restorative Yin Yoga session to bring me back to homeostasis and stretch, heal and recover, appropriately. Same goes for life, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. I’m learning how to rest and recover; after rides, and in all facets of my life as well. Learning to allow myself that rest and recovery. Learning of its necessity, and its benefits. Learning that it’s not only okay to take time away, to rest and recover; physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually, but that it’s also absolutely necessary. Strong muscles require repair after you’ve worked them, before you work them again. Leg muscles, heart muscle or brain, alike.
The View – Regardless of how each of my rides plays out; difficult and trying, or easy and comfortable, I learned to never forgo the view. I never miss an opportunity to take in the beauty around me, and sometimes, even document that beauty; with photographic evidence, or by writing about it. There is so much beauty on these country roads. And, even the ones I ride every single day, have something different to offer, and something different to see, each time I ride on them; especially during the change of seasons. I’ve learned never to take that for granted. To be grateful for these views, and this beauty. Especially on more challenging rides; because the view makes it worth the work I put in throughout these rides.
The Ride/Journey versus the Destination – And finally, I’ve realized the importance of focusing on the ride, itself versus on the destination. To enjoy each section of each ride. The smooth, and the challenging, alike. On how it feels. On the view. On my own strength and strides. On my progress throughout each ride, and the ride that I’m riding, at the time. On the music. On my movement. On the things driving me, carrying me and motivating me to get out there and ride, in the first place. And, throughout the ride, itself. Ultimately, I will always arrive home after each ride; or at least back to where the ride began. Existentially, the journey/ride, is our life, obviously. The ultimate destination, the end of the journey. But every ride ends. The destination doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is enjoying the ride. Getting as much out of each ride, as I can, while I can. Otherwise, what’s the point in the ride or journey? I’m not trying to get somewhere, I’m riding to ride. Just as I journey through my life, and enjoy the journey as much as I can, while I’m here.
“Every song has a CODA, a final movement. Whether it fades out or crashes away, every song ends. Is that any reason not to enjoy the music? The truth is, there is nothing to be afraid of. It's just life.” –Ellie, OTH
Every ride ends, is that any reason not to enjoy the ride, itself?
The lessons I’ve learned on the road, through the road, by the road, have been invaluable. And, along with all of the physical progress I’ve made, and obstacles I’ve overcome, there have been so many other valuable strides I’ve made because of these roads. Mental, emotional, spiritual strides; grieving, processing, feeling, venting, among others. And, with or without these lessons, the road; these country roads, especially, have given me so much throughout the years. Especially, this past year or so.
These country roads take me to a place where I can express everything that is within me; through movement, through quiet stillness as I stop to take in the view or take photos. Using my strength and tenacity and allowing myself to be weak and unwell, at the same time. On these country roads; I can chase down my demons. I can quiet the noise in my head. I can push through the pain to get to the other side. I can feel and process what I’m feeling on any given day. I can do battle, or I can revel in the beauty, sunshine, open air and freedom of these roads. On these country roads; there’s no noise, no judgement, no conflict, no chaos. On these country roads, I can get lost and lose myself, and know that they will always help me find myself, and then they will bring me home.
Country Roads Take Me Home - Lessons from the Road
"Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees. Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home to the place I belong" - Take Me Home Country Roads, John Denver