The sunrays shower upon my face, as Spring’s fragrant undertones swirl through the ponderosa pine scent around me. I breathe it in with deep appreciation and glance over my right arm. The towering hillside across Deer Creek Canyon rises to meet me. This view always takes my breath away. That, and the fact there is nothing but empty space between that pine-filled wall and me. The guardrail doesn’t count, as it would serve as a catapult if I ran into it with my motorcycle.
There’s nothing to worry about and there’s no rush to get there, I remind myself as I turn my focus back to this glorious scenery. I’m protected and so is my macaroni and cheese dish, although my husband, Greg, may not approve of my bungee skills, I trust them. Going to a potluck on the bike is a first, I’m glad I’m not typical.
It’s a beautiful day. You’ll have to wear jeans. You’ll have helmet hair. You need to wear a sunhat anyway. But, you’re bringing a casserole dish! Put it in your backpack and strap it on! The sunny forecast, an easy route, and my desire to have fun swayed the mental ping-pong match.
I usually don’t ride alone, or in the city, but with Tabitha, our only remaining child at home, visiting family on the east coast, and Greg camping, the opportunity presented itself.
Normally, I would stay at home and cherish the solitude, but it’s the 3rd Anniversary celebration for RelyLocal Littleton, a small business community awareness organization that our tattoo studio belongs to. Networking events don’t typically persuade me, but the owner, Sharlene, has become a dear friend, and I love to laugh with her and hear Paul’s band play. Their outdoor fiesta wedding last month, which I had the honor of officiating, was a blast!
It’s fascinating how fear always wants to creep in where it doesn’t belong I had to overcome the fact I was the only child my dad didn’t teach to ride, because he “didn’t want to be responsible for my death,” and my distrust of female riders after my mom dumped me into a creek in the Ozarks as a child, in order to ride my own.
I recognize the risks involved. I know people who have been seriously injured, or lost their lives, but I will not let that interfere with my enjoyment of life. I trust my inner guidance, especially when it comes to riding, which is the closest I come to flying without leaving the ground.
This ride is magical, light traffic with plenty of room, even the bicyclists are behaving. My route will take me on the interstate for three miles. As I head onto the on-ramp, I take in a deep breath and release the incoming tension.
My turquoise and orange ‘Painted Muse’ scarf blows in the wind behind me, the special sisterhood energy alerts the other drivers. Then it occurs to me ~ I never ride alone.
I’m surrounded by a protective bubble that delivers me safely to my destination. There was yummy food (the mac and cheese was intact and devoured), lively music, and wonderful conversation at Conventry Farms. In fact, one of the guests at Paul and Sharlene’s wedding introduced me to the “love of her life” she found afterward. The second guest to have found true love! There was something magical about that wedding. She attributes it to the healing I did with her, I attribute it to her willingness to let go of her resistance and align to her desires.
I had to run a quick errand, further in the city, for my husband.
As I mount the bike, I set my silent intentions: ‘I intend to attract courteous, safe, and aware drivers. Experience ease and flow with traffic, with no rush to get there. I’ll arrive at the perfect time. I want to be visible to all drivers and may all I come across receive blessings.’
I arrived at the store with a feeling of great accomplishment and joy. “Yeah, my husband goes fishing and camping, while I have to come to the store for him,” I joked with the employee helping me.
“That’s a good woman, there,” he said.
“At least I got to ride my bike.”
“You’re lucky. I want one, but my wife thinks they’re too dangerous.”
“They can be, for sure. The important thing is to listen to your inner guidance. It will always let you know if you should ride or not.”
“That makes sense,” he said and he may possibly use it to help persuade his wife.
It’s that simple. We can dwell in fear and never fully live, or we can tune in, trust, and experience the magic of this wonderful playground. As for me, I’m here for the joy of it and I intend to extract all the juicy fun that life has to offer.
Vroom~vroom!