Inspired To Ride By Her Son

I ride my bicycle with my child, because I wouldn’t ride it without him. I know myself. I’m lazy. I might take up cycling for a short-lived exercise regime, but I would never have become a non-driving member of society if it wasn’t for my son Jack.

It started last year, when, in a desperate attempt to rid myself of the nagging guilt I felt at leading my son into a life of inactivity, I hatched a crazy plan to not renew my driving license. I’m pretty sure even that would have been a fad, had I not very purposefully painted myself into a corner by starting a blog about my proposed journey.

Since January I have felt every emotion known to man, from severe regret to seemingly endless joy. The one constant has been the little guy behind me, always pushing me forward.

I only need look at Jack to feel reenergized and reaffirmed in my conviction to better our lives. Cycling hasn’t been a miracle cure to a lazy lifestyle, but it has been a vehicle to move me from A to B. Sometimes A equals home and B equals the grocery store. Other times A equals depression, guilt and regret and B equals change, energy and a more healthy future for us and the planet we call home.

There are still moments when I see pictures of myself on my Yuba Mundo and am quite overcome with shock. I feel like an imposter of sorts, especially when I compare myself to the other incredible cycling mothers of the blogging world. But I am a cyclist now and it’s finally starting to feel okay to say that out loud and in company.

Of course I have a long way to go, and about 150lb of weight until I am within recommended guidelines because the internal progress is not yet reflected on the outside. But I remind myself daily that I didn’t do this for myself, I did this for Jack- I wanted him to think bicycling was a part of life, not something you do to lose weight or stay healthy, but something you did to get some groceries or to visit your friends.

The goal of changing his life has been accomplished. Mine is taking a little longer. But we’re on our way and with my source of motivation always at my back, I can’t stop pedaling anytime soon.

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, Lindsay!

Happy riding!

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