UMCA article

     I saw the new article "Riding towards Something" that came out in UMCA today, the link is listed on this blog.  It was such an amazing feeling to actually be included and highlighted along side such extraordinary people and athletes.  I've only touch on a small part of cycling, the drive and determination that it actually takes to do ultra cycling.   It was a huge honor to say the very least.
 I never really set out to be in this place, cycling just kind of fell into place for me.  With the encouragement Ralph, he has been a huge part in my cycling journey.  He pushed me along in so many ways I can't even begin to explain, even in the funniest ways....  heheh... only he knows the inside joke of that!!!! I'll tell everyone the joke sometime...although it still happens on those big climbs!!!   This place though that I say I'm in, I'll explain.  When I started cycling it was all about me... my refuge,  my place, where I could ride like the wind... A place a cry, a place to dream, a place to challenge myself at things I never thought I could do.. It is still like that but, for some reason it has become more.. and now it has to do with others.  As I first told my story, I never realized how it would affect people, from the first group of people that chose me for the scholarship to the writers at The Poughkeepsie journal when they first interviewed me about Battenkill, to people that have actually come up to me and told me how my story really touched them.  How they're reaching for something better, maybe not cycling but something that they've lost in their lives.  I never in my wildest thoughts ever though that my journey would have ever been so important to others.  It's given truly a new meaning to "riding towards something".  I'm not the fastest, hell I just like to not be the last... but it's not really about that.   I ride weekly with a friend ( this time on a horse not 2 wheels ) and he asked me how I did on the recent race.  I told him of my disappointments but we had a great talk.  He's in his 70's and is an amazing man... He does most everything with extraordinary passion.  He spoke to me about his experiences in different sports and he told me that it has to stay about you and your personal goals. Not about winning and where you ranked that time.. When it gets to be like that, it's no longer worth it, it's no longer fun. And life needs to be fun!!! It's too short!  It needs to be about the adventure, not about the the end reward.  Because I've realized the reward is not always at the end.   It's the moments of getting there that are the most important..... not about the podium...   Although Ralph still has high hopes for me... hehe... Ralph's commented on my article "Being part of history is way cool ! Stay the course."  He is part of it... he's that invisible bungie cord I always say I need.... The funny thing is...  bungie cord... needing??...I already have it and I always did...   I guess he believes somehow,  someway I'm here to make a difference.  I hope so... and that does bring me to where I am... my story... I never thought so many people would read it... enjoy it... live it, it seems to keep going....    As another dear friend Bernie that has been there the whole way, not next to me on the bike... but at every corner cheering me on,  he said of the article  "Just one chapter of your incredible journey....carry on. Congrats. !"  He's waiting for the book next!! hahahaha!!!!  Hummmm??? that could be interesting.... :D