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Stress Relief And A Little Self Praise For Once

September 2014

The boyfriend and I had planned a little one night camping trip to Hawes in Yorskshire on the bikes. However due to personal family problems I only managed 2 to 3 hours the night before the trip and therefore considered cancelling the trip. But after a morning bath I was not feeling too tired and I knew that the best way for me to combat any stresses it to get on my bike. I can not worry when I am concentrating on the ride.

We were joined for the ride up with good friends Diane and John. The hills and trees shimmered in the September sunshine and just as I had hoped my cares and worries blew away along with the emissions from my exhaust.

It was a beautiful relaxed ride along a route I now know fairly well. As the roads twisted and bent I was suddenly hit by the realisation that I was able to ride these bends faster than ever before and without my heart keep jumping into my mouth. I knew the reason why too....oh thank you Scotland not only did I love your beautiful scenery but your awesome roads have been a wonderful teaching ground. Those hairpins and mountains and miles upon miles of riding had been well absorbed and have improved my riding skills. 

I loathe to say it, I dare not tempt fate to come strike me a blow because you know what they say ... pride comes before a fall. But I can not be true to my blog if I don't actually state my real feelings so here goes ... I think I am getting better at this bike riding malarkey. I got stuck on a plateau for a while but Scotland helped me acquire new skills and improve on the bends tenfold. I did not want the bends to end and rather than holding up the traffic I found I was becoming annoyed that other vehicles were now in MY way.

Scotland has confirmed what I guess I already knew, there is only one sure way to improve your riding and that is by getting out there and riding. More miles = more experience simple as. But also going somewhere different can give you new skills and improve on those you already had. 

When we do anything for the first time be it riding in the rain, the wind, or negotiating hairpins it can seem terrifying. We can let that fear win over us and decide that we will never ride in the rain again or avoid any really twisty routes. Or we can accept that if we keep on practising then we will not only improve but one day you may be hit by the realisation that what was once you biggest fear is now what gives you the most joy.

I always hoped to be happy riding the twisties but I was not a natural at them. For a while I started to accept that maybe I would never truly enjoy them because they in reality scared me and I would always need to ride corners slowly. So I stopped pushing myself to improve and just rode and enjoyed it and never thought about how much I needed to slow into a bend. By not over-thinking it I was therefore completely unaware how much Scotland had improved my cornering skills until I rode a familiar route.

I am so glad I never cancelled this little trip. I enjoyed it immensely. Sometime life is full of worry and cares and sometime life is good. My bike takes me to good times and for that I am incredibly grateful.

sharon is sat on her keeway rks smiling in the sunshine
My little stress buster  

Reader's Comments

Paul S said :-
Thank you. In a word, uplifting.

From an old beginner. :-)

01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Sharon said :-
Thanks Paul it is always good to know that I might have made someone smile :-)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
kath brooks said :-
Another great read Sharon
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC

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