With extra time at home, the kids and I have enjoyed a few bikes rides. I use the term “enjoyed” here very loosely as one ride was in 40 degree temps with 20+ MPH winds. Thanks a lot Michigan. On our most recent ride, with slightly warmer temps and some sunshine, thoughts flooded my mind.

Riding a bike is a lot like life…

Perspective changes everything

I have walked my country dirt road thousands of times. Never once have I really noticed the hills. Not until I got on a bike. Whoa. My legs were burning! Have these hills always been here? Were they always this steep? Isn’t it funny how a different perspective changes your view.

Some times you pedal, sometimes you can coast

No doubt there are times when life feels like an uphill battle. Sometimes you just can’t see the top. But there is no better feeling than reaching the top and coasting for a while. The coasting is always sweeter after an uphill ride. Everyone has times of pedaling and times on coasting on the ride of life.

Climbing hills makes you stronger

Bike rides are enjoyable but would you build much strength if you were continually on flat land? It is those uphill rides that build strength. No pain, no gain right?!

Stop to enjoy the sights and sounds

I am grateful for country living. Sitting on our back porch, it often sounds like a nature tape is playing in the background. But these things are easy to miss if you don’t stop and listen. On our bike rides, the birds and frogs can be deafening in the best way possible. Fall views are my absolute favorite. Our country road looks like a picture you would find on a calendar. Don’t move through life so busy you miss the beauty of it all.

Be prepared

As I mentioned above, the windy, 40 degree ride basically sucked. But we were not prepared. We did not dress warm enough, no hats, no gloves. Life is a lot more challenging when we are not prepared. We couldn’t control the weather but we could have controlled how we prepped for it.

Stay in your lane

I typically ride with my daughter Emily, AKA swervy spice. The kid cannot walk in a straight line. Come to find out she rides a bike the same way! We spend a lot of our lives in other people’s lane, don’t we? Comparing…which leads to jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. Stay in your lane! God made you YOU for a reason. You can’t accomplish your life purposes by trying to be someone else.

If you fall, get back up

I can’t count the bumps and bruises I got while learning to ride a bike. One time I went one a ride with my brother and dad which ended badly. I flipped and scraped the entire side of my face and chipped off the majority of my front tooth. The worst part was this was long before cell phones, so I had to finish riding home. We took a lot of bike rides, and while this particular one sucked, I don’t remember it stopping me from riding again. I still love bike rides, especially with my kids. Moral of the story, don’t let a fall keep you down.