When I started, back in May, I had no idea the lessons that I would learn through this experience, lessons in: patience, endurance, the power of faith, strength, healing. There were many cycling lessons too: riding on a properly fitted bike, eating to ride, never having to learn to change a tire (I love my tires!), the expense involved in cycling (!), dressing for cold weather riding (!).
In the end, though, my biggest lesson was learning to feel proud of myself. Knowing that I set out to do something BIG and finding that I could stick to it, despite injury and frustration. I ended up riding 105.33 miles (sagging up two big hills to prevent injury) and the last 30 miles were my strongest. I felt exhilirated, strong, at one with my bike. My mind wasn't bored thinking about the pedal strokes, I didn't need to distract myself, I was just there...in the moment...loving it and knowing that I would finish.
Two moments of the ride that were the highlights:
1. At mile 65ish: hearing, feeling Ryan's granddad, Dean, telling me that I could do this, feeling him giving me a push that kept me going to the end. An amazing experience, too unbelievable to put eloquently into words.
2. Getting off my bike at the finish line and having Ryan walk up to me and embrace me with the words, "I'm so proud of you, Mom." Priceless.
Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement, your financial support and your faith (and amazement) in my ability to do this!
The End.
