Tag: cycling

Climbing the mountain 🏔

by Rick Roop

Climbing a mountain can be a monumental task that requires a lot of thought, energy, and preparation. The highest peak ahead is somewhat daunting and frightful. Apprehensive feelings could detour some from attempting to climb the mountain. Sometimes the decision to delay is more acceptable than completion. Putting off my goals for development is a strenuous decision, seeing that it’s a easy choice. However, The rewards of weight loss and fitness is simple and relative to climbing. The investment of victory is worthwhile!

At the top

First up is the survey of the mountain from the bottom. Looking up is usually how we judge. Elevation and distance is important. This determines how hard this is going to be and what is my pain experience during the run 🏃‍♂️ or perhaps a meal adjustment 🍔

Next, it’s the mental preparation, I think of the best outcome despite the obstacles of indifference. The repeated chants spoken inside our inner thoughts tells our human psychology yes you can instead of repeated declination. Exercises of approval and disapproval is now a part of the process. Now you have two choices. Whether to wait or to accept the challenge of climbing the mountain ⛰. That’s my Delma ☺️

My first thought of riding the afore mentioned hill was one of trepidation 😞

I had vivid memories of not being able to complete my first century ride a few years ago. I can remember it very well. It was like yesterday that I signed up for the historic long ride. It was my first attempt to ride a 100 miles at the tour de cure in Knoxville, Tn. I thought that I was promptly prepared to ride for 100 miles in honor of my dad. All ready to go with a photo of my dad in my jersey pocket, I thought it would be a complete fastest ride ever!

Century Ride

After reaching the 82 mile mark I found myself in a friendly neighborhood yard with unbelievable cramps that caused me to quit and to be be rescued by the SAG wagon!

I was so distraught and discouraged about giving up. Some sadness while riding in the SAG wagon. But, I overheard the SAG support say over radio communication that he had nothing to be fretful for it’s a very long ride.

I did not give up after that day. I continued my quest for my first century ride, and was successful at the tour de tellico with my dad’s memory on my bike.

Sometimes the mountain gets you. Most times you’ll get the mountain if you’ll continue to! Happy weight loss and fitness 😀

Quitter’s day 2025 what it means 🤔

by Rick Roop
Quitters Day

We all have the idea of sharing a smile, giving a gift, word of encouragement, maybe a telephone call or friendly visit. It’s the start of a new idea, deep thought, or a refining connection. Trying to be a good person to establish a new direction perhaps fresh exploration, and new reflections. Starting the plan and not completing the work did not mean that you failed with goodwill intent. It was the thought that counts! You were successful by planting the seeds of beneficial inspiration. Eventually you garnered enough thought to complete the generous gesture, and helped someone have a really nice day.

Quitters day is a term given by some as the second Friday in January. They say that’s when most people give up on New Year’s Day resolutions. Some designate this date as determining failure for those who have not yet accomplished their New Year’s Day goals. Some give dire prediction for those who do not complete the course or defining resolution.

However, everyone who has lived has remaining goals that have not been completed. All of us have dreams of finalizing our hopes of success. Maybe it’s college education, musical 🎤 aspirations, learning the piano guitar or violin, travel, financial gain. It’s human to dream about the future and human to complete the process.

Completion starts with a thoughtful meaning that’s deep within ourselves. Beginning means small and fresh. New sprouts emerge like seeds in a flower pot. A new born taking the first breath. The sun opening behind unveiling clouds. Dreams of meaning like these cannot be extinguished by someone who gives a completion date called quitters day.

I started cycling at the senior age of fifty four years old. I spent many years passively wondering about the subject of weight loss and fitness. Just think of all the years that I could have been riding running or swimming.

What could have been is a thought that I could entertain. However, I was motivated by my father’s memory while walking past his bicycle.

I proceeded with a thought that I could ride his bicycle as a memorial to my dad’s life. While riding my dad’s bicycle that day, I was overwhelmed with the sense that my dad was right there with me. My dad was pointing to the direction that I needed to ride. He said that I could ride at the park in Harrogate in a circle till I got a good workout in. That day marked a turning point in my life directing further purpose and meaning for weight loss fitness.

My dad was such a hard working caring individual who often put others and his family ahead of himself. I knew that he was a protector bread winner and leader for a lot of people friends and family. I spent a lot of time with my dad walking playing racquetball talking about his father sisters and brothers, and many friends.

It was the memorial spirit that was lying dormant for all of those years that gave me energy to get on the bicycle 🚴 and to attempt weight loss and fitness.

It is the spark of imagination that will lead you to greater aspirations in life. It is the influential thoughts of purposeful dreams that come from real relationships. Not a date called quitters day!