I . Ride . Because . I . Can
Part 1:
‘It never gets easier,’ the cyclist said grinning and sitting down next to me. She was acknowledging my 1000 Steps walk and her 37km ride from her home to the cafe ‘up the mountain’ where we were both sharing an outside table.
I had intended to enjoy coffee and a snack at a favourite Sassafras cafe after my walk. I thought I would write my blog while sitting there, hoping for inspiration to strike.
Yes, inspiration struck but not in the way I was expecting.
When the cyclist returned to our table, after placing her order, I had a gut feeling that I needed to talk with her. So, ignoring my open laptop, I introduced myself and asked about her ride and her riding schedule.
Having ridden before and trained for long rides in the past, I appreciated the endeavour when she told me that she aimed for four to five hundred kilometres per week.
When I asked her, ‘Why?’ (Was she training for something?)
She matter-of-factly said, “I ride because I can.”
Intrigued, I asked more questions.
She had, in fact, set herself a goal of riding 20,000 kms for this year and as of today (November 20th) she had only 1,200 to go.
She had decided on her goal when she was able to ride again after a serious accident.
As she recounted her story, she did so simply and without embellishing. All the while her eyes were sparkling with the joy of being here in this present moment.
I learnt that she had crashed her bike on a tight downhill curve coming down from the Horn on Mt.Buffalo in Victoria’s high country. She didn’t mention anything about her level of pain - only how fortunate she was that she had people around to assist her.
She listed her injuries in a straightforward manner peppering them with gratitude for the help and medical assistance she received. (Including being airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne.)
She had broken eight ribs, her collarbone and fractured her pelvis. She had also punctured a lung. (I have noted them here to illustrate how serious her injuries were.) I am in awe of her determination and recovery.
It took a few months for recovery and rehabilitation. When she started riding again she set her 20,000km goal for this year.
‘We all need goals, no matter what they are. No matter how small or big,’ she said.
‘I call this ride The Lemon Tart Ride,” she said, smiling at the lemon tart that she had ordered.
Before her accident, whenever she rode to the cafe, she would order a lemon tart. During her recovery in hospital, the cafe owner sent some to her via her riding companions.
When she rode to the cafe for the first time since her accident she and the owner cried when they saw each other.
‘That’s what community is all about,’ she said, her eyes reflecting her huge smile.
And that is why she rides to this place.
Yes, the ride up the mountain is a challenge but arriving at a place where you’re remembered and valued; where you become part of the community; where people notice when you haven’t been for a while - isn’t that the essence of belonging?
