Good News Monday: Palm Beach Cycling Classic Thrills

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Palm Beach Cycling Classic Thrills highlights the fun of attending amateur sports events while reminding me of how ageless we can be when we set aside time do what we enjoy. And performing to our peak abilities in the company of friends can enhance your ‘push ability’ to realize things you thought you may have before. This once a year amateur cycling competition is held at the Palm Beach International Raceway on an 2 mile paved track. (I love the race cars too – had to share these pics below.)

Spending time on the south-east coast of Florida is opening Spanista’s eyes to added lifestyle dimensions that exist here, like learning that amateur cycling is big time favorite sport. This sport is open to an array of ages, as along as you have the right equipment, can stay with the  demanding training schedule and ultimately keep the pace of the group you ride with. My brother-in-law is a cyclist and has been for most of his adult life. He participates in the Palm Beach Cycling Classic because he wants to benchmark where his passion for the sport has taken him. So each year he registers and rides in a class that includes ages form 16 to 60. the goal is simple – to place better than last year and not crash. After we spent the day watching all the races it is clear this is a dangerous sport – especially for riders that push too hard. This is a mix of people – many have not ridden with each other before so a rider can experience unexpected aggressiveness in order to win.

John raced hard and smart. It was fun watching the  red jersey crossing the finish line – he placed better than last year! But what you can not see is the five different crashes that came about around the last turn. Guys laying on the ground moaning, bikes bent up, but in the end the paramedics deemed not one cyclist was badly hurt enough to go to hospital. Thank goodness.

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Being a competitive cyclist at age 50 is John’s way of putting himself first. Training is essential. He will not sacrifice a ride with his buddies no matter the weather or the lack of will. He takes his bike on vacations with him so he can stay fit. There is a rider in his group who is a very talented athlete. He is a pro golfer and as John tells it, an even better cyclist. But his choice is golf as a profession for reasons only he knows.

When I ask John why he rides, he lists the obvious physical benefits but before I ask he a surprises me by what he expounds next:

1. This is HIS time where he works on ‘Mastering My Acuity’. As the director of technology for an insurance company, his days are full of demanding activities that  are devoted to caring for the company and his fellow associates needs. Riding is focus for long periods of time or you crash.  It clears your mind of clutter.

2. Riding well – Sticking with the pace of much younger team mates boosts his confidence. If I can do this for 60 miles – keep pace with guys half my age, I can take that positive energy into any challenging situation and stay calm.

3. After the race he feels an ’emotionally high’ that goes beyond the impact of endorphins. This higher sense of wellbeing lasts long after the race. It feels ‘real’, thus making him ‘pulse alive’ and happier for participating.

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Good News Monday: Palm Beach Cycling Classic Thrills is fun to experience especially when some one you admire is in the race. Spanista sees the  lesson here is no matter your age  – putting your Self Care first, no matter what form it takes,  offers so many benefits – It helps you enjoy the journey while staying in the race of life.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny