Innermost Thought

About two months ago I applied to be one of the Trek Women Who Ride. Basically I had to write an essay and submit some pics. I've been a fan of Trek bikes for awhile because they a) even have a women's cycling division and b) support the Danskin. I'm a downright enthusiast since I rode one of their roadbikes at the Austin Danskin Sprint Triathlon last Sunday. What a sweet ride!

As they sent a nice email informing me that they would notify by last Friday I am pretty certain that I will not get the call to serve. That's alright. I've got my hands full with My Inner Athlete and my various productions in NY. While I would have loved to participate and I know I would have done a great job, recent history has taught me that things work out for the best.

The upside is that I can now share my entry for the contest with you here. Here's the gist of my entry:

MERMU.NET Rides

I was 7 years old when I learned to ride a bicycle. My father walked alongside with one hand on the handlebars and the other under the seat. Soon we graduated to him jogging while I pedaled. By the afternoon we were at a standstill.
"Don't let go, Daddy."
"Mer. You've got it. You're doing it!
"I can't daddy, I'll fall."
"You can do it."
"I can't. Don't let go. Don't let go!"

We were stuck. He would jog along holding the seat, slowly giving me more control. I would pedal a little, realize he had let go, and stop in a panic. We'd start the ritual again. After much going back and forth, I was pretty sure that I would not learn to ride a real bicycle that day. But my father, though frustrated and tired, would not let me give up. Finally, and all at once, somewhere amidst the fear, frustration, patience and determination, I learned to ride a bicycle. He let go and I just kept riding.

Since that day and throughout my life, I've ridden many bicycles: playing with my friends, and pretending to fly away like E.T. I've ridden for training, for fun, to get exercise, to get to work, to think, to smell the open air and feel the wind and sun on my face.

I've even fallen down a few times, once so hard I got a separated shoulder and still competed in a sprint triathlon two weeks later. This year I'd like to ride to get healthy - to lose the weight that has plagued me throughout my life.

I've been an avid TREK fan since I discovered the WSD series. Women deserve to have a bike that fits them both in structure and in look. We don't need our grandfather's bikes but we don't necessarily want our grandmother's bikes either. Women who ride want optimum performance and style and Trek continues to do a fine job ofsuccessfully filling our needs.

I am a woman who rides. I would be honored to share my experiences with others. I am dedicated to the message that anyone can begin an active lifestyle no matter how they look or where they start. I am living proof that an athlete doesn't always come in just one flavor.

I sometimes think about that day my father first put me on two wheels. I learned much more than how to ride a bicycle- confidence, faith in myself, fortitude and patience. So much of that day has been reflected in other aspects of my life. When I think about it, I learn to ride a bicycle everyday. But these days when I'm on two wheels and I see that open trail, I'm not afraid to let go.