In Others’ Words: Switching Gears

 

 

I haven’t been on a bicycle in oh . . . wow . . . about five years now. When the vertigo came along and took my balance on one very long roller coaster ride, I took a break from bike riding.

The good news is, I haven’t had any problems with vertigo lately — except for one brief episode a couple of weeks ago. Emphasis on the word brief. Maybe it’s time to drag the bike out of storage. If I do, I promise to post photos here.

I have to admit that Charles Schulz called it right for me when he said that most of us have gears we never use. He was talking about both bikes … and life. Yep. Guilty on both counts.

I like riding along in middle gear. Middle gear is comfortable. It’ll get me up and down most hills — and allow me to coast too. No need to switch gears. No need to do that mis-switch. You know what I mean — that attempt to switch gears when nothing happens. Nothing engages … and you’ve got no ability to power your bike forward.

Awkward.

Useless.

Frustrating.

Why not just stay in that nice comfortable middle gear that works?

Why not? Because an experience cyclist knows there are ten gears on a bike. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10. And if the manufacturer made ten, then there must be a reason for all ten of them. A time to use each one of them. Biking isn’t about being comfortable. It’s not about coasting all the time. It’s about knowing the bike — making the bike work for you to the best of it’s ability — and to the best of your capability.

You’re smarter than the bike. Remember that. Use all the gears you have at your disposal — on and off a bike.

In Your Words: Where have you been settling for middle gear? Where is your life set on “comfortable”? How could you switch gears and try something different? 

In Others’ Words: Switching Gears #inotherswords #lifequotes #change
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Remember: You’re smarter than the bike. Switch gears. #change #beuncomfortable
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