Dear Bicycle,

I remember when I was small and I first learned how to ride you without any assistance from training wheels. I had gotten my cousins hand me down and couldn't wait to jump on. I taught myself, or so my mom has told me and my instant connection to you began.

Do you remember riding up and down Williams street. That one small street provided endless hours of exploration. Up and down driveways, to the end of the block and back, and that famous Pee Wee Herman fall off of you that I practiced for a countless number of hours on my neighbors lawn.... "I meant to do that"

As a kid you gave me freedom. My goodness, how many times did we ride to the library together?

As I grew older my affliction with your remained but do you remember the days when I was a bit intimidated by you. My then boyfriend would go out for 10, 15, 20 mile rides and I thought him crazy. How could somebody spend that much time on a bicycle? I did not understand it.

And then I signed up for a weekend bicycle race and my love affair with you began. Day one we rode 20 miles through the cold and the rain. I felt so accomplished after riding that many miles that a took a lea and jumped into the 50 miler the following day. I had no idea what I was in for and figured if I couldn't make the little car would pick me up and that would be that.

I had no idea that I would fall in love with the steady rotation of pedaling and the way you took me down road after road opening me up to sites I never did see. Brilliant green lawns, big bales of hay, nature at it's finest. You also challenged me by pushing me to ride up incredible hills. But remember the little old man we passed. He was steadily pedaling along and encouraged me to just do the same. "Just keep pedaling he said. Put your head down and keep going. Before you know it you will be at the top" His cheers lifted my spirits and encourage me to make it to the top. That 50 mile race was really 60 and I couldn't have been more proud of myself as I stepped with legs shaking off of you.

You dear bicycle encourage me to explore. With you I travel down new roads, see sights I have never seen, and even stumble across the property where I am soon to be building a house. When I am on you I feel at peace. There are even times when I pedal with no destination in mind just an open heart to exploration. It is freedom, pure freedom.

You find strength in me that I didn't know I had. You give me time and space to think. Moments to dream and an opportunity to soak in the beauty that this world has to offer. You have brought me stunning sunsets and incredible feathers found. You never cease to amaze and surprise me.

Thank you for being YOU! For setting me free and encouraging me to keep on going. I look forward to many more adventures together.

xo
Jennifer

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