Letty

San Antonio's Ride Like A Girl

Come out & ride with us...

Letty

Why do I ride?

It all began a few years ago as I listened to the wild stories of some of my co-workers after they rode in the MS-150. They’d stroll into the office on Monday morning with their stories about the weekend. I would respond with “Are you Crazy???” Who in their right mind would cycle 150 miles into a headwind with the threat of heat stroke, sore muscles and fatigue? By the third year of listening to these stories, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to experience it for myself.

I didn’t have a clue about cycling. I went into a bike shop and told the owner I was interested in an entry-level bike. I loaded the bike onto the back of my car and said to myself – now what? I had heard about “Ride Like a Girl” so I Googled it, and saw that they offered beginner rides. This was in December of 2007. Again, I said to myself “who in their right mind would cycle in December with the threat of cold headwinds, numb hands and feet and fogged up eyeglasses.” I decided I was crazy enough to do it so I called the phone number on the website and spoke with Veronica. She was so pleasant and patient with me and instructed me how to dress for the cold weather. She said she’d see me on Saturday morning wheels down at 8:00a.m. After hanging up the phone I said to myself “Cyclists are Crazy” ! ! “Who in their right mind would ride in 40 degree weather???? And who would get up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday?” To answer that question – I would ! ! !

I rode the Mission Trails that beautiful Saturday morning in December of 2007. I hadn’t been on a bike since I was 10. Veronica and Guy were so patient and encouraging. I rode 15 miles that day. I was hooked from that day on. I immediately fell in love with the sport.

I’ve always had active hobbies – softball, rollerskating, etc. None of those hobbies ever gave me a rush like cycling does.

Cycling has had a definite influence on me. I find myself setting personal goals and achieving them. I’m more patient, more forgiving, I’m not so quick to judge people like I used to.

I am amazed at what an impact cycling has had on me. Veronica and Guy have been such a wonderful influence on my life since that first ride in December 2007. I’ve met so many people thru cycling and feel blessed to know every single one of them.

Have you ever ridden a bike at sunup and listened….just listened….to the peaceful quiet of the morning? In this crazy world we live in I think most of us have forgotten what quiet sounds like. This is why I ride. Riding brings me back to earth with a realization of the wonderful people I’ve met because of this sport and the people that I will meet in the future because of this sport.

I wonder what influence cycling will have on me in the years to come. It can only be good and I can’t wait. Thank you Veronica. Thank you Guy. And thank you friends for making this wonderful sport a major part of my life.

Letty

Letty's been Riding Like A Girl
for as long as she can remember!

URBAN ASSAULT 2008