The Stories We Tell Ourselves

It was only at Christmas—when Alan was choosing an off-road bike so we could ride New Zealand’s Cycle Trails together—that I swore I would never get an ebike.

As a Has-Been (endurance) cyclist, I told myself the untrue story that ebikes are for cheats.

Judgmental, right…?

I now realise that this is a very judgmental way to view the world.

It’s similar to how I used to think that golfers who rode around 18 holes in an electric golf buggy were cheating as well.

But then I had a BFO—a Blinding Flash of the Obvious—about golf buggies one morning while Alan and I were having brunch at a lovely restaurant on a beautiful golf course.

As I sipped my coffee, I noticed many people playing golf—individuals who might not have the fitness or physical strength to self-power themselves around 18 holes, for various reasons such as age, previous injuries, or health issues.

The golf buggy allows them to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while participating in an activity they love, alongside others.

How cool is that…?

The Same Principle Applies

I’ve since realised this principle applies to ebikes as well.

Alan and I have couple-friends where the wives haven’t been cyclists, while the husbands have.

It’s only after our female friends invested in ebikes they began riding with their husbands.

What makes me SmileOnTheInside is that the women in these relationships now enjoy cycling together as a couple. I mean, how many couples do you know where each partner is always off doing their own thing, often without anything in common…?

Think: divorce statistics!

For our friends, ebikes have provided these women the opportunity to get outside, improve their fitness (yes!—e-riding does require effort), and spend time with their (hopefully!) Besties.

How cool is that…?

Fitness Lost

And now that’s me! One half of a Bestie Couple with an ebike…

After losing my nerve following a few too many close calls with motorists who didn’t look out for cyclists on the roads—only seeing me just in time to avert a collision—I’ve been out of the saddle for a long (looong!) time. Far too long.

Back in those days, “fitness maintenance” rides were 40km. Alan and I regularly clocked 80km (or more) rides when his shifts allowed. On weekends when he worked, I would solo-cycle 30km circuits multiple few times – so it was worth my while…

But now that fitness is long gone, and it’s time to reclaim some of it.

Truth be told, while it would be physically great to regain that level of fitness, mentally I wasn’t in a healthy place.

Life as an er-Person

I was what I’d call an “er-person”—each ride (run and/or swim) needed to be faster, longer, harder, and hillier than the last one. If it wasn’t, I would beat myself up for not trying hard enough.

Because of all that, I was (almost!) permanently in some state of injury recovery or another.

And here we are today—I’m one of those cyclists!

And you know what? I honestly believe that riding this bike might mean that, for once (yes! once!), I can actually enjoy cycling (for a change!).

How cool is that?

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Here’s to having BFOs…

Here’s to never saying never…

Here’s to being One Half of a Cycling Bestie Couple

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Here’s to SmilingOnTheInside