If someone would’ve told me, “You’ll be a cyclist at 45,” I would’ve laughed out loud. Well, let me tell you my story.
I was, in fact, 45 and had just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. A month or two later, I moved to San Diego — for details on that story, check out my first blog entry “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” (it’s pretty good, if I must say so myself). Anyway, I had just moved to San Diego and was in the process of improving my diet. I was on diabetes medication, which was also helping me lose a lot of the weight I had gained during those dreadful four and a half years of university. I had just finished my last semester, so I was finally able to focus on my health — a bit too late if you ask me. But hey, better late than never!
Those years working full-time and studying full-time did not help my eating habits. In fact, I was so stressed out, so tired of feeling exhausted and so unhappy, that my diet was the last thing on my mind. I never thought about the consequences of that kind of prioritization. Work is first, school is second — the rest, who cares! I need to get these first two done and done right. I would literally ask my professors, “I need to understand, why a 99.5 and not 100 on my grade this semester?” Like it was the end of the world. In my defense, I was extremely stressed and so damn exhausted. I felt all my efforts deserved 100s all the time!
While I was making progress on improving my eating habits, I hadn’t thought about exercise, because the diet and medication were helping. Also, I was working 40 hours a week instead of 48 (like in Mexico). I felt so much more relaxed, I felt normal! So, exercising wasn’t even on my radar at that moment. Then, a friend from work introduced me to a cycling event the company had been participating in for several years. I decided to participate as a volunteer. I convinced my older sister to come with me. It was so much fun! Aside from getting up at 4:00 AM, the activity, the cheering, the environment — I loved it! You could feel a sense of happiness, achievement, and I don’t know what else, but it felt good. I enjoyed it a lot.
The following year, a friend said, “You should ride this time.” I laughed. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid. Well, I guess I did once when I was married. But that’s a story for another day — not a pretty one. Nevertheless, I didn’t even own a bike. My friend seemed so adamant about the team rides and how easy it would be that he kept pushing. We were in the middle of an audit (medical industry stuff), sitting in the backroom waiting for the auditors to request documentation. My boss was next to me when my friend kept insisting. When he wasn’t looking, my boss whispered something like, “Just say yes so he stops!” I guess he was getting on her nerves.
So, I said yes. I immediately texted one of my nieces and asked her if she’d do it with me. Her answer: “But I don’t have a bike.” That weekend, we went to Walmart and got ourselves bikes — yes, Walmart bikes! Mine was green and looked so shiny! I started "training” for the event with a friend who was extremely patient with me. I couldn’t ride more than half a mile without stopping to catch my breath, and no more than two miles before feeling I was going to pass out. But for some reason, it was so much fun and felt like such a challenge that I kept doing it. We would go to Miramar Lake (in San Diego) a couple of times a week for a 5-mile loop each time. Plus, I started joining the after-work rides. I got a little stronger every time, without even noticing.
A few months later, I was feeling more confident on the bike and a bit stronger, so I decided to upgrade. I bought my second bike. A nice silver hybrid that seemed so much lighter and prettier than my green Walmart bike. Hills were my friends now! I couldn’t believe that after only a few months of super fun training — and a surgery recovery in between — I was able to complete the 25-mile ride at Padres Pedal the Cause in November 2018 on my silver bike. Also, I dropped the diabetes medication. I didn’t need it anymore.
The following year, one of my dear cyclist friends lent me her old bike. Not a hybrid anymore! It was an actual road bike — so light I couldn’t believe it. It made a world of difference. I realized all the hard work on my previous bikes had paid off. My body had gotten so strong with the heavy bikes that I started loving hills even more! This bike made me so much faster and happier! Although I was always chasing the team during group rides, it was an amazing challenge that made me feel accomplished and pushed me to improve after every single one. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was getting stronger after every chase.
With the help of one of the most experienced riders in the group, I finally got my own road bike — an amazing and stunning black-and-gold LIV Langma, which I still ride today. Every time I ride it, I feel strong, light, and above all, I feel free! Cycling became part of my life. I honestly don’t know what I would do without it. Now I live in Tucson, Arizona, where the summer weather can be challenging, but that doesn’t stop me from doing Zwift (indoor) rides. They’re not the same as ‘real’ outdoor rides, but they still give me the satisfaction of riding my bike.
Not long ago, I had to go back to diabetes medication, but that hasn’t stopped me from riding for fun, enjoying nature, the amazing Tucson mountains, and feeling accomplished after every hill — steep or not, indoors or outdoors. I restarted filming my cycling adventures, my biking trips, and sharing them on YouTube. Check out my channel if you have time: https://www.youtube.com/@lifeisabeautifulride
So, if you feel like you’re not capable, not strong enough, or it’s too late to start, or that the task at hand feels impossible — take a breath, relax, and think again. We are all capable. We are strong. We can do anything we set our minds to. I might not become a professional cyclist or win races, but hey, who cares? I love riding my bike, enjoying beautiful views, and meeting people who think alike. After all, life is a beautiful ride, is it not?
If you enjoyed this reading, leave me a comment or a like — I’d really appreciate it! See you on the road or on Zwift!
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