Ride Your Own Ride

A few years ago I decided to ride in my first ever “organized” bike ride. It was the Walnut Valley Metric. I chose the 37 mile option.
This decision was pretty exciting, but it was also pretty scary because I’d only JUST gotten a bike, and the ride was only a couple months away. I had no idea how to train for a 37 mile bike ride in a couple months. I wasn’t sure what to pack, or what to wear, or even if the bike I had was the “right” kind of bike for this kind of ride.

But I was excited.

So I went online. Joined a couple biking communities, and started asking some questions.

The most repeated piece of advice I heard was…

Ride Your Own Ride.

When I asked for clarification as to what that really meant (seeing as I was ‘bike terminology” clueless) I was repeatedly told I needed to make my OWN game plan for the ride. I needed to figure out what pace I wanted to ride at, the time I wanted to finish in, the breaks I wanted to take… I needed to create my ride BEFORE I got to the actual ride.

Then I had to ride my ride while I was there. 

I was encouraged to not get caught up in the excitement (and the adrenaline) and start out too fast. I was encouraged to stick to my pace, and if I was riding with others who were going at a different pace to let them pass or fall behind… ride my own ride.

I trained for the next couple months. I had a plan. I had a time I wanted to finish in. I had a speed I felt great riding at for a long time and I was ready.

I got to the ride, and OMG the adrenaline was pumping, and the group took off. I let most everyone pass me… but there would be times when a small group would join me and I’d start to slow down to stay with them, or try to speed up to stay with them… and then I’d remember you have to ride your own ride.

I finished that ride (with crazy aching feet) about 12 minutes over the time I had planned. It went well and I was totally psyched that I had done it. Here’s a short clip of me finishing that ride. 🙂

Over the weekend some things happened in my business and I was thinking about them… and those words popped into my head again…

you have to ride your own ride.

It’s so true in business as well as on a bike.

You have to make your own plan. Create your own vision. You have to do what you have to do. You have to keep your pace, not try to speed up to try to catch up with those who are “ahead” of you, or slow down for those who have chosen a slower pace.

You have to stick to your plan, and ride your ride. When you do you’re guaranteed to come out on top.  I know the only way I lose the race (whether on the bike or in business) is if I try to ride someone else’s ride, or just stop pedaling.

Have an awesome day ~ you deserve it!

PS. one other thing I’ve noticed, riding with a group of riders, who are going your pace makes it a lot more fun. (on the road and in business). Join me, and let’s ride the road to freedom together!