BEE Japan

I completed my longest solo ride yet this past weekend from my home town of Ikeda to Hikone in the neighboring prefecture. It was a total of about 100km. I met Salem half way after being hit just once by a car (I was able to hop off my bike before anyone or anything got hurt, so don’t worry) for lunch, coffee and a quick demo on how to fix a flat tire, replace a tube and adjust the brakes and gear settings on our bikes.

I learned a bit about motivation and perseverance from an unexpected (and unknown) cyclist on my way home as well. Feeling a bit fatigued and all alone on a pretty empty stretch of hilly road, a Japanese guy cruised past me (on a bike) but not without a nod and confident and friendly “kon nichi wa,” as if we were friends, simply because we were both cycling. Him… fast, positive, and full of energy and I, tired, slow and slightly regretful of the distance I had yet to cover. Something about that gesture made me think…maybe we ARE the same, but for my lack of determination. The only thing stopping me from pedaling as fast and leaning as low as him, was me.

In the end I made it home almost an hour less than I had taken to get there, wearing one of the biggest smiles I’ve had in a while, and having gained a little more respect for myself.