How COVID Has Changed My Cycling Mindset

As an aging road runner, cycling found its way into my heart forever back in my mid 40s. Through a friend's suggestion I ride a 50 miler with her, I discovered a great workout that didn't hurt my back quite as much as running had. I soon discovered that I felt like a kid every time I got on a bicycle. The freedom of moving through the air on a machine powered solely by me...and gravity...absolutely delicious...downhills are the  BEST :)...uphills not so much :/. I hadn't ridden that much since I stopped triathlon training in my early 20s and began having children. Starting my medical career also cut into time on the bike as medical school and training doesn't leave much time/energy for long rides.

I'm now at 20 years of constant cycling and years past setting cycling goals by way of registering for big event rides. When I register for an event, it drives me to set goals for mileage and climbing, so as to complete the event with pride, rather than killing myself and calling for a SAG wagon. I eventually began to do these events for charities and causes I feel passionately about, raising money...essentially marrying 2 passions, cycling and philanthropy.

I've cycled Charity Treks across New England several times (400+ miles Burlington, VT to Portland, ME to raise money for HIV Vaccine Research), Courage Classic several times (rides out of Copper Mountain, CO, to benefit Children's Hospital Colorado, where I work as a Pediatric Radiology physician), AIDS LifeCycle (545 miles to SF to LA to benefit AIDS organizations) in 2019. Several other rides I've done have also been benefit rides and it makes me happy to raise the money while doing something I love.

A product of all this cycling has been joining bike clubs to help me get my miles in. It's hard to ride long miles alone every time, so joining in with others registered for an event, or locals with other goals, has been a fabulous way to meet others who love to ride. I've made lifelong friends through bike clubs, an unexpected outcome from all the miles and all the fundraising. What a gift.

Now that COVID has become our reality and "social distancing" is in place as the spring cycling season gets underway, I miss my friends from the OUTspokin' bike club (Denver's LGBTQ cycling club), the anticipation of a group ride to see my old friends and meet new ones. I miss my friends on Team Colorado ALC (the group here in Colorado that trains for AIDS LifeCycle together). I see my friends' rides on Strava and on Facebook and we are all alone now, or with just one other, safely "social distance" riding.

It makes me sad in some ways that this cycling season is so very different from all of my others, but I have discovered a silver lining in this for me personally. I now have no event to plan for...I have no miles I HAVE to ride...I have no hills I HAVE to climb. I'm a kid again. Getting on my bicycle for the pure enjoyment of riding a bike. WHEEEEE :).

P.S. Also feeling strong in my new Bike Ambassadors kit!