I recently became the proud new owner of my third bicycle. That may seem strange to some—three bicycles—but to me, it’s a way for me to stay healthy, active and engaged in my local community. My friends had so many wonderful and kind things to say about my new bike purchase, but I think my favorite comment was, “use her for good.”
There’s a thrill in racing and a thrill climbing steep hills. There’s always the motivation to be faster, better, stronger. But as fun as thrills and motivation can be, they are not the reason I ride. I ride for the experience and for the relational parts of life a bicycle brings into the equation.
The bike has been a tool for me to reconnect with JDRF as an adult. It was the way I became healthy again and take control of my future through managing my blood sugars. In a way, cycling save my life because of the healthy lifestyle changes I made as a result—all for the good.
It’s allowed me to bring awareness to type 1 diabetes that I didn’t have before, and it has helped me reach a new audience unfamiliar with T1D. It’s allowed me to navigate my city and learn its roads and alleys in a way a car doesn’t allow. I’ve become a vocal advocate for safer streets and better infrastructure—all for the good!
Cycling has introduced me to new friends and helped build relationships that are some of the dearest in my life. I’ve forged a bond with people throughout the country thanks to life on two wheels—all for the good.
As social as cycling can be, there’s a facet of life alone on the big chain ring, too. I am able to carve time to reconnect with nature and recharge my battery. It’s given me a forced time of prayer, reflection and meditation that’s increased my spiritual life and helped me see God’s beauty in the world around me—all for the good.
Other cyclists get it; they understand this is a special kind of friendship. There’s so much good that happens on a bicycle and through the act of riding together. As I pedal past another cyclist, I may not know their story or why they ride, but in that brief moment, as we nod our heads in acknowledgement of one another, we are the same.
It may seem silly to you, but I prayed a lot about this bicycle. Not only was it a significant financial investment, but it’s also a significant time investment. I’m choosing to make this sport and this activity a priority in my life which means other things can’t be priorities. And because of that, I want to make sure I use my time on the bike as wisely as I can, and for me, that means using it for good.
As I prayed about the purchase of this bike, I also prayed about where this bike is going to take me—not just literally but emotionally and relationally, too. I look forward to learning where that road leads, how that story unfolds and who will be part of my story. So yes, we’re definitely going to use her for good.