For the Love of it … Sunday Cycling
A steady 48 miles – Heart Rate below 150
The weather over the previous few months.
As I’m writing this post,
had been restrictive …
… so I wasn’t bike fit.
This is where adaptability
and flexibility comes in…
…not PUSH THROUGH.
Before I created real – lasting change.
Everything in my life used to be a race.
All I did was push through,
school, sport, relationships, business, and in life itself.
The old me would have pushed way too hard,
blown his leg muscles, and enjoyed little about
the experience, as he “proved” how capable he
was to himself and anyone else who’d listen
without truly caring.
Then post it on Strava for Kudos.
Thankfully, that changed as I grew into
my new state of being…
…nervous system and emotional regulation,
mental, physical, and spiritual growth.
I understand this biologically… not from books.
Competition, with integration,
regulation, and awareness,
is very different from CONSTANT competition.
Something we as High Achievers
are often encouraged to live in.
Climbing this mountain
always brings connection and reflection.
I remember the first time I rode up it.
Not being strong enough to outpace the lorries hauling wind turbines to the top, I stopped,
and I was furious with myself.
You should be better than this!
Early 2016 – Only a few months into cycling.
A friend said: “There are people who’ve been cycling for years…
…who will never make it to the top of the Bwlch.”
“Next time – don’t stop.” … sound advice.
This is part of accepting where you are.
I didn’t feel the need to explain myself to
stronger riders…no justifications, or stories.
It wasn’t aligned with my identity.
Instead, I chose to learn from them.
Because here’s the truth…
If you’re living in overdrive…sympathetic dominance, or functional freeze…
…you don’t have an off switch.
You tell yourself it’s discipline – DRIVE.
But even when your body is done…
…you keep going.
That’s not a STRENGTH.
That’s the thing that eventually breaks you.
It’s why I finally BROKE after 40 years of this.