Within Adventure Is an Opportunity to Adjust

What makes an adventure an adventure is the fun, excitement, newness, fear, and anticipation. A bicycle ride can be an adventure, especially when exploring a new area. Within an adventure is an opportunity to adjust — something I learned about my expectations, reaction, and attitude during a casual group ride.

Although I didn’t know what to expect, I expected the ride to be on asphalt. Most of it was, but the leader led our large group over varied terrain from concrete and uneven brick and cobblestone to gravel through alleys with debris, potholes, and muddy puddles. We also rode through a scenic riverside park in Cincinnati, which, although pretty, was a little unnerving for me due to a portion lacking a barrier by the water.

In the Moment

While I enjoy adventures, it is sometimes challenging to enjoy in the moment.

During the ride, my initial reaction was annoyance (and some fear) because I didn’t think my thin road tires were appropriate, and I wasn’t sure how I would navigate the surfaces. The situation created some anxiousness. I had to acclimate to my surroundings and learn to pace myself behind a single line of riders — slowing down so as not to trail too closely to the person in front of me but not too slowly that I might lose control or balance (which happened a couple times) going over the uneven surfaces.

Appreciating the Adventure

When comparing this ride (in my annoyed and anxious state) to others, I preferred the longer rides on mostly smooth country roads. It wasn’t until after I finished the nearly 12-mile ride that took us from Covington, Kentucky, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and back that I could appreciate it and see myself doing it again.

Although I may not have appreciated it in the moment, this kind of ride through the city was beneficial and had a lot to offer. The constant stop-and-go of traffic lights and stop signs was good practice for me. So was learning to adapt and react to different riding surfaces. I got to see many areas that I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The adventure was a chance for me to adjust my perception and attitude. Successfully navigating through the ride built my confidence, and I gained experience that can help me in future situations and make rides more enjoyable in the moment.