A New Chapter Begins!

I didn't think that I was ever going to blog anymore, about my cycling life. A lot has been happening for the past year- moving from the east coast of Taiwan to the west, parting half of the family in Eugene while the other stayed in Taiwan, learning how to cycle in the city in Taichung, accepting a position with Paul's Bicycle Way of Life, Inc., moving all the way across the Pacific Ocean back to Eugene, OR, reuniting with the missing half of the family which was apart for 7 months, slowly adjusting to new work, to finally, back on my bike again. Not until I started to ride to the level I used to ride this past month, did I realize just how much I love cycling.

Thanks to the local riders group, GEARs, for their very organized rides every Wednesday and on the weekends. I would have never rediscovered just how happy I am when I am on my bike.

Gathering at Alton Baker Park at 6:00 pm every Wednesday night.

The thing was, I was supposed to be riding with the ladies tonight. But given that it was my fifth day riding in a row, I decided to go on GEARs' flat ride over ladies' climbing McBeth which I did yesterday. It turned out I couldn't even keep up with the fast group, not even close! I was thinking it could have been I was tired, my legs were tired from climbing Fox Hollow and McBeth yeterday, I was hungry, the wind was crazy strong tonight, I am a woman against all the fast strong men, etc.

The fast guys!

When I was asked by Tino, "How did you do?" as I arrived home, my immediate response was, "Oh, this bike just couldn't do it!" Man oh man! Tino shook his head with a smile on his face. And then I realized- it was not the bike! It was just me! I was the one who just couldn't do it.

I was all the way in the back, all evening long!

For one minute, I was frustrated. But then I realized just how much I wanted to be in the fast lane. That's what makes me happy- to breathe like there's never enough air, to pedal as fast and hard as I can, to pump my heart up all the way, to blast, and to get to the finish fast. I love the thrill! I love the training process that takes me there. I love how everything could be left behind when I ride. I am happy when I ride. That's all that matters.

I never saw most of them again for the rest of the ride.

Jeff waited up on me to tow me home. Thanks so much, Jeff.

I am not gonna give up! I am gonna be there- however long it's gonna take! So this is the new chapter, where the cycling aspects of Virginia wakes up and tries hard again. No matter how many times people are going to drop her. No matter what bike she is riding. No matter what! She is gonna get to the finish line, fast, with the fast guys.