10/03/2024
The late, great Robin Williams said that riding a bike was the closet thing to flying.
I knew what he meant, but I never felt the same way, particularly when descending. On the hill climbs, I was always strong. But I could never keep up with the other riders on the descent. My bike brakes were always engaged. On a gravel surface, I was even slower, riding at a crawl, fearing a skid and landing in the ditch!
These two fears were firmly in my mind at the start of one ride as part of Spinning Wheels Relay Ride To End Parkinson's. It was an 84 km ride, and the first section consisted of a long stretch of rolling hills. I confronted my fear. For the first couple of descents, I adopted my usual cautious routine—breaks engaged on the way down. Then, I began to apply less pressure on the breaks. With growing confidence, I started free-wheeling down the hills, my hands hovering on the breaks, but no pressure was being applied. I started to understand what Robin Williams meant. It was quite exhilarating to see my speed increase steadily and feel the wind rushing onto my face. I had conquered my fear on the descent!
Then came the gravel.
Another long stretch. I was nervous! I slowed down as usual and soon had a team member close to my rear wheel. I invited her to overtake me, but she didn't. I told her about my fear of riding on gravel. She then offered me the following advice: "Keep to your line. Go fast. Be confident." She overtook me and soon disappeared. I was again alone. I kept repeating the phrase a few times in my head. Then, I started focusing on each sentence and started adopting my ride to each part.
First, I made sure that I kept my front tire straight, no matter what I came upon (of course, keeping my eyes firmly on the surface a few yards ahead of my bike for evasive action, if required). I was soon riding over small rocks, loose stones, and twigs with growing confidence. Then, I increased my speed (again, within reason) and began to realize that with increased speed, the ride became a lot smoother.
Then, I added confidence. I was not going to be fearful. I was not going to worry about falling off my bike. I was in the saddle, in control, and would deal with whatever the gravel road presented in the moment, in real time. Nearing the end of the gravel path, there was a short but fairly steep descent. But on the other side was an equal ascent—on a tarred road.
It was time to test myself. I kept cycling. I was gaining speed on gravel and descending. I knew in the moment that if I applied my breaks, I would skid and spill off my bike. I kept peddling. I was going faster. But the tarred road was getting closer, quickly. It was soon over, and I was back on the road.
I had a broad smile on my face as I joined the rest of the team. We all finished the ride a few kilometres later.
With the dust now settled (literally), I still have that advice circling in my head. I have internalized it now, and I am applying it to my life with Parkinson's, as follows:
Keep to your line: We each experience Parkinson's differently. Some have tremors; others experience more of the invisible symptoms. We don't compete. We keep to our own lines but have the benefit of an expansive and supportive community.
Be fast: Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease in the world. We need a cure—fast. But until then, exercising for as long as you can and at the highest and fastest intensity as you can sustain is one of the best ways to manage the physical symptoms.
Be confident: Don't let Parkinson's consume you. Don't retreat. We add value. We have a contribution to make. We have Parkinson's, but it doesn't have all of us!
