Smiling Ciclista

I never feel more happy, more free, more me than when I am on a bike.

I’ve been cycling for almost 9 years. I remember that first ride. It was 7 miles out to the Iron Bridge on Rte 5 in Norwich, VT. The route was mostly flat with a couple of nice downhills on the way out. That, of course, means some uphills on the way home. I remember climbing Church Street to get back into Norwich center and going past the speed sign at 5 miles per hour, huffing and puffing. It was hard! And I was not sold on that first ride.

Having been a runner before picking up biking, there was something so different about the pace of navigating the bike, and also the radius I could cover. I was struck by how fast I could get to that iron landmark which always seemed to be so far away when I was on foot. I felt curious to understand what else I might be able to see. Friends and mentors helped me to dig further into cycling in NH and VT, with some cycle-tours in California and Washington.

But, it was when we got to Italy that I truly learned how deep the cycling joy could run for me. We don’t have a car here, so the bike gave me access to places that aren’t reachable by the Italian train system. I found that spending a full day in the saddle could teach me a lot about myself as well. Being out on the open road has allowed me to test my own limits by climbing higher and higher passes, and even meet some fun people along the way.

I’ve adopted the name @SmilingCiclista, because I’m the idiot who is out their grinding away up 2000m inclines over countless km and smiling the whole way. I feel so lucky to pursue this sport, to have a body that can get me up to epic sights, and then to be able to glide effortlessly down rewarding descents. Keep an eye out for the girl on a bike with a big smile.