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biggles604
10-10-2006, 09:05 PM
I had an epiphany!
It was on a ride this evening, a simple quick blast up and down SFU with my wife (Fluid), and it was a terrific epiphany:
Riding is bloody fantastic. And I really mean it. It's not just pretty good, or kick ass, or any of that, it's mind-buggeringly good. It solves everything.

I know that statement probably seems like a really broad and obvious statement, but I'll put it in context. I haven't really been on my bike since January! I was in Europe for three months this year, shortly after my return, I had a bit of a spill. I've just finished physio for that nasty injury (Multiple compound fracture of my right Ulna, close to my elbow, lots of hardware etc...), there were times during the recovery where I was certain it was never going to heal right, I couldn't straighten my arm for three months. Obviously I couldn't ride or rock climb, so I tried other things to try and keep fit and pass the time including hiking and running (ick). They never scratched the itch I had for riding.
I was given the all clear last week, so this weekend I did a ride up to Seventh, and then the next day took a ride on my hardtail through Coquitlam along the Fraser to Pitt River, then along Pitt River to Minnekhada and back, spectacular ride :). Today, I took a ride up SFU like I mentioned and (this is the bit where I actually get to the point), I realised how much I missed the sport and what a positive effect it has on my life.

Tonights ride, I think my bike knew that I was on the cusp of something great and it was working perfectly :)

All the silly petty and sometimes not so petty things have really been building up over the last while and I've been permanently grumpy, work's been a struggle and I felt like poo. I get a few good rides in, and all of a sudden I start feeling really good and instead of noticing things that are wrong, all the good stuff becomes apparent. Susan (My wife, Fluid on the board) has had a great year of riding and I finally got to ride with her and see all the progress she has made, which quite honestly blew me away! I'm now home, relaxed, stupid-happy and realising that it's all the release of a good ride and perfect conditions.

So for now, I'm feeling like a new man, totally re-born through the greatness of a good ride, and I'm ready to fight back (Until tomorrow when work slaps me down again ;)).

I'm not going to re-read this, as it's a total ramble from how I feel, so I apologise in advance if it makes no sense.

My epiphany: Riding solves all problems! Screw the risk of injury it has, that little bit of negativity holds nothing against the experience of having (and more importantly sharing) a tremendous ride.

(A note to any who know me and my clumsiness; it will come as no surprise that on the ride through coquitlam, I wiped out on a flat paved footpath in mundy park :crybaby: )




Taylor_P
10-10-2006, 09:15 PM
i dont even have to ride any where to feel the efects of biking, if im in a slump i can get on my bike and just coast around the neighbourhood and have a good time. biking = life.

mattj
10-10-2006, 09:57 PM
Welcome back! I thought I felt some extra good vibes up on the hill today...


-m

biggles604
10-11-2006, 07:56 AM
It took 6 rides for it to really sink in, but I feel complete again. :)

JdanS
10-11-2006, 08:58 AM
Congrats on getting the "Stoke" and thanks for sharing it. A bit of your stoke will rub off on us and we will all have a great next ride.

cheers,
JdanS

hilly
10-11-2006, 07:24 PM
Thanks for a fun read. Articles like this are why I often read this board. I came off a tough day today and your article reminded me that I need to hit my bike tomorrow, get outside and have some fun.

Jaysin
10-11-2006, 08:15 PM
I am not feeling it at the moment.... I just moved to vernon a few weeks ago, and I havent been able to find much in the way of trails, and/or hits.

Rode a pretty fun sub 2 minute single track in Kal lake prov. park today though :lol:

AndyC
10-12-2006, 01:22 PM
Thats a great read, being of the bike on the sick list must be hard with so many great trails so close.

Jaysin, when my wife and I were in Vernon we rode a trail called 'spankies'. It runs from a couple of K short of Silver Star almost all the way back down into town. We parked up near the trail head and I hitched a ride the 20K or so back up the road to pick up our bus.

One of the guys in Olympia cycles drew us a map (Pete?) We were staying in Kelowna and one of the guys in a shop there put us on to him.

Nice sort of old school trail, took a bit more than two minutes...

the Master Plan Dan
10-12-2006, 01:33 PM
All the worldy problems seem go away... mind clearing!

Its you and the trail... My broken shoulder has kept me off the bike for 2 weeks and Courtney and I are going to take a rip around Stanely this weekend (rain or shine!)... I know that it will end up being a rip around Downtown... but I know that I will be happy!

Welcome back!

Marvel
10-12-2006, 01:49 PM
That was a great read....because I went through a similar time when I fully realized how awesome riding is. Not only does it give me balance in my life (I leave work, no matter what, to ride with my friends), it keeps me active and I love it when those endorphins are flowing, I've met great people and it’s a great stress reliever. Its totally part of my life and can’t believe it took me so long to find it :D

Knnn
10-12-2006, 01:56 PM
That was a great read....because I went through a similar time when I fully realized how awesome riding is. Not only does it give me balance in my life (I leave work, no matter what, to ride with my friends), it keeps me active and I love it when those endorphins are flowing, I've met great people and it’s a great stress reliever. Its totally part of my life and can’t believe it took me so long to find it :D

You nailed it ..... and it only took me 45 years to find

biggles604
10-12-2006, 02:15 PM
I had another great rip last night. I've been riding for a really long time (`18 years) and I think I must have been getting jaded because being on my bike is Nirvana right now.