Saturday, May 14, 2011

NY City Bike Ride

Gratuity: All of the various Exercise Options and folks to do them with! 

Goals: "Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it." ~ Bill Cosby

New York City; 5 Boroughs; 42 Miles, 32,000 bikers; A beautiful day; Fit Friends = A new hobby

I heard about the New York City 5 Boro bike ride on the news years ago and it sort of stuck somewhere in my brain.  What a cool way to see the city was the impression it left me.  While talking to one of my new TaeKwonDo  buddies last year that piece of information helped to break the ice with this new acquaintance.  Deb was a bike rider and I asked her if she had ever done the 5 Boro.  She replied, "yes" and lit up as she spent the rest of our discussion sharing her adventures.    She encouraged me to give it a try next year.  I thought it sounded like a great event to participate in.

Well next year came and she reminded me of our conversations asking if I wanted to try the bike tour.   Reality struck and  fears of failure filled my head.   I gave her a fairly negative reply  filled with my fears.   She reminded me that it was not a race.  It was just a tour and I could go at my own pace.   I needed to think about it.

Then I realized that it was something I wanted to do and waiting another year after I became a more experienced bike rider or I knew my Taekwondo friend better would only cause me to procrastinate to the point where I never ever did it.  I had to embrace life as it was and not wait until all the factors lined up perfectly.   If I waited then waiting is all I would ever be doing!

My seat hurt and we got stuck in crowds but other than those two items I would say it was a perfect success. 

I hope to do a lot more bike riding and a lot more things I fear!  I hear that Montreal has something equivalent.  If you are interesting in this NY Bike Ride or others next year give me a shout!

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