My Biking Journey- More Than Just A Ride

I have always loved biking, ever since I was a little girl.  But after the age of about 12, I no longer biked very often. Finally after a long haul of shin splints from running, my biking journey began. During my junior year of high school, I decided that  I would go on bike rides more often.  After years of pushing my limits and realizing what to do in every situation, you could say I have learned quite a lot from biking. But not just in biking, these things pertain to almost any situation in life:

Go For It
After months and months of trying to get up enough courage to ride down the last hill of my favorite trail, I felt a little annoyed at myself.  Like, "Sure Gretta, it's a scary steep hill with rocks all around, but will you die?" I realized that I didn't want to die without riding down that hill. Well, I stopped at the top of that hill, turned on the most sassy pop song I had on my phone (Kesha anyone?) and rode down that blasted thing.  I have to admit, I almost started crying because I was so happy that I did it. I proved to myself that I can do a lot more than I expected! And now I ride down that hill every time. So next time you can't decide if you should ride down that hill (or go talk to that super cute boy) start singing a pump up song, and remember that even though you may feel scared, you can do anything you put your mind too (hah, cue in inspirational music).

Be Strong-Someday It Will Be Your Warm Up
On my first real bike ride, I only made it half way up Squaw Peak.  I remember thinking "how long is this road?!" Now that I look back on that day, I laugh at myself like "what a sissy, you literally made it like 4 miles."  After lots of rides, my legs (and bum) got used to using my bike. Now when I see that tree I turned around at, I realize that I am only getting started.  Sometimes in life we feel like the things that are hard are not worth going through. But after get over that hill, we realize that it made us strong, and prepared us for the things of the future.  We must learn that becoming strong will help us in the future.

Laugh It Off
In June, I was cruising down a tight little trail and BOOM ran into a huge rock and then a tree.  After a few seconds of realizing I was on the ground, I burst into laughter.  A tree branch had caught on my shorts and ripped a lovely hole in the worst place.  I looked around for a few seconds and smiled and stood up on my feet. Although I was a little sore the next day, I was not hurt and felt pretty proud of myself for testing my limits on a more challenging trail.  Remember that saying- "when life brings you down, get right back up". Well remember that when life bring you down, laugh while you are getting up.  There is nothing better than laughing at your mistakes and accepting who you are, a human being who is working on becoming better. Walk through life proud of the things you have learned from your mistakes and show off the battle wounds (or ripped pants) that have shaped who you are now.

Enjoy YOUR Journey
I am that person that rides down squaw peak with one hand on the handle and one flying in the wind, leading my music to my imaginary orchestra and making the weirdest motions. I can almost always be found screaming my music at the top of my lungs and feeling so happy because, yes I just biked all the way up here, and no I don't care if I sound like a dying seagull, this is my favorite part of the day, so back off! And although you may not be as crazy as me, you should still enjoy your journey.  I don't care if you jam out to Disney songs in your room after a hard day at school (guilty- this may be happening right now-kissssss the girl), or eat a spoonful of ice cream right out of the tub because your car is still not working right (also guilty). Your days should be filled with joy and happiness.  At the end of the day there should be something you look back at and say "that was really fun" or "that was really crazy of me but it sure did make me laugh."  "Life is to be enjoyed not just endured"-Gordon B. Hinckley

Don't forget that, even if you don't go on long bike rides, you should always push yourself to be strong and do the hard things that you have always wanted to do. Start working on your goals today. And although sometimes it is hard, realize that your are becoming something awesome.  Something stronger, happier and more YOU and you have ever been before.