History
Years ago I road and raced my bike a lot. I road my bike to work, I road in winter. I raced local XC races, 50 and 100 mile races and endurance races. I had sponsors, yes sponsors. On the bike I tested myself physically and mentally. I believe those rides helped pave the path to where I am right now.
Back on the bike
I have been riding my bike a lot since returning to Colorado. There is something about being on a bike that just can not be duplicated. Cycling is the tool to experience and develop freedom, fitness, confidence and mental toughness; every ride. It provides the key to what you can achieve, what you can see and how far you can go. Riding a bike will open the door to endless possibilities and adventure every time you through your leg over the top tube.
Sharing the ride
The most recent open door is sharing cycling with my daughters. I have to thank The Cycle Effect https://thecycleeffect.org and The Colorado High School Cycling League https://coloradomtb.org for this. I have gone from solo rides to sharing long rides, short rides, trips to the desert in March to escape winters grasp even pre-riding race courses with my daughters. Watching their confidence grow as they push harder and go further than they have ever been. Testing mental and physical limits they may not have tested otherwise. It is sobering to see what they are capable of and what they are willing to accomplish as they realize their own potential.
What I am doing about it
This year I am participating in the Bailey Hundo (www.baileyhundo.org) to raise funds to help organizations like the ones below to get kids outside and on bikes.
Trips For Kids - Offers mountain biking opportunities to under served youth and changes lives "two wheels at a time"!
Colorado High School Cycling League - Is an awesome resource for high school students around the state to be exposed to the world of mountain bike racing and developing the racers of tomorrow.
Colorado Mountain Bike Association - Advocating for mountain biking in Colorado and building awesome new trails with volunteers and community members.
The Bailey Hundo is a 100 mile mountain bike race that includes over 60 miles of single track and approximately 10,000 feet of climbing. It will be a monster ride! I have 37 Days of preparation ahead of me. 37 Days to raise money to support these worthy organizations (*Click linke to donate) https://baileyhundo.org/register/con1.php?RegID=2031 and 37 Days to prove to my girls that you can accomplish ANYTHING you set your mind to. It may not be pretty but in the end but I will finish.
