This past weekend I joined a group of guys for a ride up through Muskoka. In spite of a few showers in the morning, it turned into a beautiful day through some beautiful country.
This is my fourth season riding but I’m still the newbie compared to the other guys, who have way more experience than I do, and they all have bigger, faster bikes than me too.
On the first half of the ride I was second in line and I always try to keep about a 2-second gap between me and the bike in front. But I was also aware that there were 4 bikes behind me and it can easily get into my mind, “Am I going too fast or too slow? Am I holding someone up? Are they frustrated with how I’m riding?” In fact it’s not hard to be so concerned with the other riders that I forget to focus on my ride.
But that’s when it becomes dangerous for me and others around me. When I lose sight of who I am, what I’m capable of and try to be someone I’m not, I am putting myself and others at risk.
Ride Your Ride
Early on in my training I heard this phrase often and it has served me well. What it means is, in order to be a successful rider, you must stay within your abilities. In other words don’t try to ride in a way that is beyond your capacity; and an easy way to do this is in a group ride, when everyone is on a bigger, faster bike and they have more experience.
This means, instead of letting the group dictate my ride, I need to go speeds that I can handle, take corners as I’m able to, and stay within my skill set.
The worst thing I can do, especially in a group ride, is try to be someone I’m not.
The worst thing you can do is try to be someone you’re not.
This rule doesn’t just apply to riding a motorcycle in a group; it applies to life. Your life.
So let ask you some questions…
Q. Do you live your life with clarity about who you are and why you’re here?
Q. Do you focus on being someone else instead who you are and can be?
Q. Do you focus on your ride (life) rather than trying to emulate someone else’s ride (life)?
So how do you do that you ask? Here are a few things to consider…
- Be clear on who you are, your values and what matters most to you.
- Understand what your strengths are.
- Be honest about your limitations.
- Have a clear understanding of your purpose.
- Have a clear picture of the direction you’re going in and where you’re heading.
- Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed.
Applying these principles to the weekend ride made it a lot of fun for me and the other guys…and we all made it home safe and sound. (Just in time for me to take Kathy on a ride too) So all in all, a great day.
There may be nothing as frustrating as living life on someone else’s terms or agenda. So ride your ride, and don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Feeling stuck? Not sure what to do next? Your life not where you want it to be? Life coaching can help. Contact me for a free 45-minute discovery call. Let’s talk.
Be First to Comment