Stay on the saddle, keep moving - pedal, pedal,pedal

The League of American Bicyclists celebrates National Bike Month every May.

Do you want to improve your balance, coordination? How about increase your muscle strength, joint mobility, flexibility?

“Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is mainly an aerobic exercise and helps to strengthen the legs, cardiovascular and immune system as well as improving mental well-being.”

If you don’t have a bike, buy a used one. Paint it a vibrant color, change out the saddle. Replace the tires with fat shiny new ones. Pedal on and embrace the journey!

My days of riding a bicycle began in the winter of 1972, specifically Christmas day.

“Dear Santa, all I want this year is a bike.”

The hope was that the jolly ole’ fat man in the red suit would produce the requested merchandise.

I jumped out of bed in the early hours of that Christmas morning and sprinted to the living room (it was around the corner from my bedroom). There by the tree was a fire orange two-wheel vehicle and the attached tag had my name on it. Santa left me a bike!

No frills, because I don’t like fancy. It did have a cute saddle seat, shiny silver spokes, and thick black glossy tires.

Amidst the glorious distractions of the day ahead (probably before breakfast was even made) I headed out the door. Mastering balance was first on the list. It took me a while but I finally got the hang of it.

Trying to gain speed while keeping momentum didn’t go so well. “Look, no hands!” The pavement created some scars on the knees and a few bumps and bruises on the head. Mom did a good job digging out rocks, bandaging my wounds, and buying me new jeans — more than once.

“Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage that provides a sense of accomplishment in learning a new, profound skill!”

I was prouder than a peacock that Christmas day.

As of yet, I haven’t outgrown the thrill for downhill speed, cruising through mud puddles, and of course, hands in the air. Never grow up, right?

If you are blessed to live in the Allegheny Mountains, then you have access to one of the best places for mountain biking.

Douthat, the third largest state park in Virginia, is on the National Register of historic places and straddles Bath and Alleghany counties. Featuring magnificent scenery, the 4,500-acre park offers swimming, boating, trout-fishing, hiking. Additionally, mountain biking enthusiasts will enjoy some of the best trails ranging from easy to difficult.

I have spent many hours riding my bike while exploring the landscape out at Douthat. A few years ago while attempting to ride Blue Suck Falls (there is a reason for the name) a tree limb got caught in my spokes.

I should have kept pedaling but I stopped. Quite abruptly, I might add. What happened next caught me by surprise. I hate surprises.

In a matter of seconds, I lost my balance, went over my handlebars and my flailing body went rolling down the hill. The crash assaulted my pride more than my body.

A surge of pain went through me and I remember thinking, “What just happened?”

Looking around to see if there were any onlookers (because my pride was at stake) I yelled for my husband to come back.

“Are you all right?”

“Honey, we have a long way to go to get back down off the mountain.”

“You have to get back on your bike and pedal.”

A couple of broken spokes, a bent wheel, and a few minor injuries did not keep this gal down. So, I dusted myself off, got back in the saddle, and pedaled on. Moving at a slow pace while managing to maintain balance, I eventually returned to the vehicle.

Although my confidence was a little shaken, I did learn a life lesson that day. I am keenly aware that mishaps have the potential to wreak havoc.

Along life’s trails, I have had many “tree limbs” that have caused me to slow down, stop moving, lose my balance, and even crash. But I always manage to get back up and on the saddle again.

“How to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life; how to remain balanced, no matter what centrifugal forces tend to pull one off center; how to remain strong, no matter what shocks come in at the peripheral and tend to crack the hub of the wheel,” said Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

My faith in Christ keeps me moving, balanced. No matter the forces that pull me off-centered or what shocks come in at the peripheral and tend to crack the hub of my wheels, I get back on the saddle.

I recently learned from my oldest sibling that my dad purchased that bike second hand. Dad not only worked hard to pay for the bike but he sanded, repainted, added new tires and a comfy saddle. He made sure it was ready just in time for Christmas day.

A gift that keeps on giving.

Ride on.