Internal Monologue of a Potential New Cyclist
Chapter 6: The Hill and the Horizon
Eleanor hadn’t anticipated the hill.
Lisa had mentioned a local bike path that looped around the community park, promising gentle slopes and scenic views. She’d conveniently omitted the one significant incline that formed the path’s central challenge.
Eleanor discovered it about halfway through her first solo ride on the path. It wasn’t a mountain, but it was steep enough to make her legs burn and her breath catch in her throat.
Panic flared. The voice in her head returned with renewed vigor. “You can’t do this. You’re not strong enough. Turn around. You’ll embarrass yourself.”
She almost listened. She slowed to a crawl, her muscles screaming in protest. She glanced around, half expecting to see someone laughing. But the path was mostly empty, save for a few other cyclists who offered encouraging smiles as they passed.
She remembered Lisa’s advice: “Find your rhythm. Shift to an easier gear. And don’t look at the top of the hill, just focus on the next pedal stroke.”
She took a deep breath, shifted down a gear, and started to pedal. Slowly, steadily, she began to climb. She focused on her breathing, on the feeling of her legs pushing against the pedals, on the rhythm of the bike beneath her. She didn’t look at the top of the hill, just at the few feet of path directly in front of her.
It was hard. Really hard. Her legs burned, her lungs ached, and the voice in her head continued to nag. But this time, she didn’t let it win. She pushed through the discomfort, reminding herself of how far she’d come. She remembered the wobbly first attempts, the frustrating falls, the mental battles she’d fought and won.
And then, suddenly, she was at the top.
She crested the hill, and the path opened up to a breathtaking view of the park. Rolling green lawns, colorful flowerbeds, and a sparkling lake stretched out before her. A gentle breeze kissed her face, and the sun warmed her skin.
She stopped, took a deep breath, and allowed herself to soak it all in. She felt a surge of exhilaration, a sense of accomplishment she hadn’t experienced in years. She’d conquered the hill, both physically and mentally.
As she started down the other side, a wide grin spread across her face. She picked up speed, feeling the wind in her hair and the freedom of the open road. She wasn’t just riding a bike, she was soaring.
She passed a group of cyclists, and one of them called out, “Looking good!”
She waved back, feeling a genuine sense of belonging. She was no longer the hesitant beginner, the fearful novice. She was a cyclist.
As she completed the loop and rode back towards the park entrance, she realized that learning to ride a bike hadn’t just been about mastering a new skill, it had been about rediscovering herself. It had been about challenging her fears, pushing her boundaries, and embracing the joy of movement.
She parked her bike, a sense of peace washing over her. She looked out at the park, at the families enjoying the sunshine, at the cyclists gliding along the path. She knew this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, a chapter filled with adventure, freedom, and the simple joy of riding a bike.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt truly, completely, happy.
