Yesterday, I did something that I have sorely missed these past 2 months – getting back on my speed bike. I think I am starting to realize how easy it is to take for granted some of the great gifts and talents we’ve been given until an injury or an illness takes them away. And, as we get older, we face more limitations in our daily life and as much as we may resist that, it is part of the earthly journey we all share. Having just had a stent procedure about 6 weeks ago, I had some real trepidation getting back on my speed bike yesterday but I couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day for my return engagement. As I have learned with this most recent challenge, fear and anxiety can be a terrible adversary as you recover and try and get back to the things you love. Fortunately, my prognosis is excellent as long as I stick to my doctor’s script. So, after being sidetracked for a while, I thought it was time to face the fear head on. So, I hopped on my bike yesterday morning and treated myself to a 29-mile adventure along the coast through Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brielle, Point Pleasant, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Normandy Beach, Silver Beach, Chadwick Beach, Ocean Beach and before turning back home as I reached Lavallette where my photo was taken. I want to be able to look at this photo as a reminder that I can face any fear with the right mindset.
I can no longer ride my bike as fast as I used to when I averaged a pace of 18-20 mph. No, this time I settled in for a cozy 13-14 mph pace. I didn’t try to make up for all the lost time of these past 6 weeks. No, I was just happy to be back on my bike again. I only had one minor miscue at mile 25 as I approached a red traffic light and my right cleat got stuck on my pedal and I fell gently to the curb. Fortunately, there was no major damage to me or my bike and I jumped back on the bike and made it home safe and sound, celebrating my day with an icepack on my left knee and an ice-cold fruit shake haha.
The bike ride was both therapeutic and motivating all at once. It made me realize in the moment that even when we can’t do the things we would like to do, there’s usually a way to find gratitude in something new or different from what we may have experienced before. So even if I can’t run as long or as fast as I used to or would like to, I can still enjoy a good walk on the boardwalk and a slower bike ride and appreciate everything around me. Yesterday’s experience reminded of Matthew 24: 14-30 and the story of the 3 men who were given different talents. One man was given 5 talents, another 2 talents, and a third man just one talent. In the parable, the first man turns his 5 talents into 5 new talents, the second man turns his 2 talents into 2 new talents, while the 3rd man buries his 1 talent in a field and never finds the way to develop any new talents. We’ve all been given different talents, some are old and like me we may take them for granted, some are newly discovered like for me finding how peaceful a simple walk on the boardwalk can be, and then there are even some talents we haven’t yet discerned. Wow, finding out what new talents we might have could be like finding real treasure. Yes, it feels great to be back on my bike again. I am slower for sure than I used to be, but that’s fine because the view I currently have on my bike is even better than the view I had before. I now think I can use my bike to search for some new talents that might lie ahead.
As I pulled into my driveway yesterday, I felt like Dave Stohler, the main character from that awesome 1979 Oscar-winning film Breaking Away who cruises to victory on the final lap earning a victory for his Cutters.
Enjoy the ride folks! It just might get better with every ride. Blessings to all, Dr. K
