Armed with my new bicycle complete with seven gears I gave that hill the stare of a gunslinger saying… “look buddy, it’s you or me and I came ready!!!” I’d like to formally introduce you to my new bicycle I have named “Boba” after the bounty hunter Boba Fett in Star Wars… Why? Well firstly it’s a danger to everyone around him, including myself. And I’m gaining gadgets as we speak from racks to water bottle and bell. I even mounted a boba fett bobble head figure on the handlebars.
Back to the hill. This time I came prepared and I meant business. Well, last time I meant business too… but I digress. I approached the hill and downshifted, and then again. As the incline reached to cliff face steep I was determined like Charlie Brown in kicking that football. I went to downshift some more as I gasped for air. Oh no!!! I don’t have any gears left to downshift as I hit 1st and I was tiring at ¾ the way up the hill. I started my little train that could mantra, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!” Then reality hit as those pedals started feeling like I was leg pressing a tyrannosaurus rex. I stopped.
After gathering wind… maybe only 20 minutes or so… I started pedaling again. I made it up the hill the rest of the way. I wasn’t going to walk it out. Just from of sheer gut check arrogance. Next time you evil hill I’ll make it without stopping!!!
There was a wild moment in the bicycle ride though. (not that getting out and riding isn’t an accomplishment in itself) back on level ground coming home I saw two teenagers on BMX style bicycles ahead of me. I hit a higher gear and completely smoked them!!! I just nodded to one as I flew by and I’m almost positive one nodded back in appreciation over the speed I was pulling. They actually disappeared behind me in short order. Oh how I relished in that moment!!!
I wanted to mention reading one of the most moving and powerful posts I have *EVER* read on another persons blog. I seriously encourage you to check this out :
http://chrislivessimple.blogspot.com/2010/03/because-this-is-serious.html
If you want a powerful image, if that won’t stir you… I don’t know what will. I’m haunted by it, chills running up my spine as it hit such a chord of truth in the visualization. Whoa. If you don’t take the time to read that link I think you are missing out on something that might give you new resolve in your fitness journey.
And Remember that at Foolsfitness the Boba Bicycle is a force of chaos not easily ignored!!!- Alan
Boba Fett's a good role model. He's easily one of the coolest SW characters ever and pretty much all he says as an adult is "as you wish." He's not all talk! And hey, you're not either! Way to go on that hill, friend. And smokin' teenagers? Don't even get me started :)
ReplyDelete:D Woohoo, you! Congrats on conquering that hill! I thought you were going to say that the "wild moment" was coming back down the other side. chuckle.
ReplyDeleteRe: Chris's parable. I linked it on my blog, too. Like you, that little story haunts me. Just grabbed me when I read it. Somehow the evil involved in the comfort of food came thru.
I'm not saying that eating is evil, mind you, I'm talking about the sweet trap that has be set for us. Just diabolical--and, for me, Chris's story made it real. "...and the truth shall set you free."
To freedom,
Deb
What a great bike... and I loved your account of you vs the hill. I laughed right out loud. Yep, soon you'll be sailing up that hill, with gears to spare.
ReplyDeleteI'll never look at dolls the same after reading Chris's post! It was creepy, in a good way, cuz it just exposed the trap for what it is.
Loretta
=^..^=