My Little Red Bike

I love my little red bike. I know virtually nothing about bikes, but I know that when I ride the little red bike of mine, my ass hurts less. That’s a good thing! It’s a Gunnar that I bought used at Mock Orange Bicycle shop simply because it felt good and didn’t hurt my ass. Oh, the cute little light on the front was also a selling point. I’ve been learning a lot about riding in the last year and have a lot more to learn. I’m still not that great at riding, but I’m learning and having lots of fun.

You may be saying to yourself, “It’s just a bike, what’s the big deal?’ Right. It is just a bike. It doesn’t mean anything to anyone other than myself. To me, it represents freedom from fear and living the life God gave me to the fullest. For a few years, I was living in fear of the future, fear that I wouldn’t ever be able to make ends meet on my own; I was afraid to live and enjoy life. I sat at home every weekend. I was afraid to spend any money on enjoying anything in life life. I was depressed and anxious. I worked, came home to work on home projects. I existed. Then, one day I had an epiphany and realized that God didn’t create me to live in fear. He created me to know, love and serve Him in this world so I can be happy with Him in the next. But more than that, God wants me to be happy.

I’ve taken on a few mottos in recent years. my favorite one, and the one that got me through many a dark day is: “When who you are is grounded in Whose you are, you can handle anything life throws your way”. I also say, “Work hard, play harder.” In the last 4 years, I’ve been working 50-70 hrs weeks and it can be hard to find time to play and enjoy life, but I work it in. Pun intended.

I started kayaking and doing intervals again. I bought a treadmill and used it on those long working days to get a little workout in. I cleaned off the weight set my youngest left in the basement and started strength training again. Getting in shape again was good for my body and soul.

He filed for divorce and as soon as it was final, I petitioned my church for and received an annulment. It is my personal belief that if one is not free to marry, one is not free to date. After a few years with therapy, church support groups and working on myself, I felt like I could start dating again. I wanted to make sure I was whole and healed. It’s not fair to the other person if you can’t give your entire self to the relationship. After a series of dates, by series I mean lots of dates over a few years, I was about to give up. I almost didn’t, go to meet him. Almost.

I had all but given up and told some of my girlfriends I didn’t want to go because of the string of really crazy dates and freaky men. I ended up meeting Marty with Shadow and my .38. We did an easy 7 mile hike around a lake, and the rest is history. That was last February and it’s where my biking adventures began. Sure, he kayaks and camps with me, too, but I’ve since decided cycling is better for my knees than interval training! I bought a training bike for my basement a few months ago and my treadmill now misses me.

I gave my old mountain bike away, bought a Fuji bike and started riding. But, my ass hurt. Even with padded shorts. So, this year, I went looking for a gravel bike and found the used little red Gunnar. Marty was with me and knew it was love at first sight. ❤️ So, that’s the story behind the blog name….. I’m looking forward to many more adventures with Marty and my little red bike. I’m also looking forward to writing again. Before my life was turned upside down, I was an avid blogger and writer. It’s time I got back to writing. It brings me joy.