𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝑱𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 π‘Ίπ’π’Žπ’† 𝑭𝒖𝒏

A bike ride with 30 women, who know each other.

I joined this group at the urging of a friend. I didn’t have a great bike. I didn’t have a fit body. I didn’t know anyone but my one friend. I was hesitant, intimidated, unsure. But, I mustered the courage to show up. I felt a tiny bit safe. I knew one woman.

My first ride with them was pure misery, the entire 15 miles. It was windy and hot. I was slow. My bike was wholly inadequate for the task. My body was wholly inadequate for the task. The group was miles ahead of me. The sweep and mechanic were patiently toodling along behind me (no one gets left behind.)

My mind was a mess. A constant stream of regret. Regret that I said yes. Regret that I didn’t prepare better. Regret that I was so overweight. Regret that I had regret. The more regret I heaped on myself, the harder it was to pedal.

Yet, when we finished the ride, I was surrounded by pats on the back, welcoming smiles and hugs, offers of food and wine. This group just pulled me in and celebrated what a hard thing I had accomplished. One minute I am filled with regret. The next minute I am filled with pride and gratitude.

Can it really be that quick? Misery one minute and celebration the next?

Absolutely. I changed my thoughts and changed my experience of life. Transformation. And a whole lot of fun.

π‘†π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Ž π‘ƒβ„Žπ‘’π‘›π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” 𝑖𝑠 π‘Ž πΆπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘–π‘“π‘–π‘’π‘‘ 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Šπ‘’π‘–π‘”β„Žπ‘‘ πΆπ‘œπ‘Žπ‘β„Ž. π‘†β„Žπ‘’β€™π‘  π‘π‘Žπ‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’ π‘Žπ‘π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘€π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘› π‘‘π‘œ π‘™π‘œπ‘ π‘’ 50 π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘ β€¦.π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘™π‘¦. π‘π‘œ π‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘œπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘šπ‘Ž. π‘π‘œ π‘šπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘”π‘”π‘™π‘’.