The Lady on the Red Bicycle
For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by road cycling.
There's something inspiring about the way cyclists physically exude themselves upon bicycles manufactured with cutting edge technology, yet powered only through the fortitude of the rider. While not a cyclist myself, I can't help but appreciate the commitment and courage of those who ride.
For nearly twenty years I've lived in a mountaintop development that sits high above the Salt Lake valley. The road I commute upon each day stretches a span of nearly five miles, increasing in elevation by nearly 1,500 feet along the way. The total footage rivals the height of One World Trade Center in New York City. Even for ascending automobiles the drive can be challenging.
During summer months, and especially while The Tour de France is taking place, the road is peppered with cyclists eager to prove their mettle by reaching the intersection located at the top of the climb. I've come to appreciate the intense grimaces, the empty stares of fatigue, or the labored smiles upon the faces of those who have reached the top. Each, in their own way, proving the ride is anything but easy.
Within split-second glances as I pass in my car, I find further amusement in the details. The colorful brandings of the bicycles, the unique stylish gear the cyclists wear, and even the methods they utilize to press forward. Regardless of their pace, the riders typically look sleek and capable. It's impressive to watch as they embrace the challenge.
Among these athletes, there is one cyclist that does not fit the mold.
Her bike is red in color. It is nondescript and certainly not comprised of the high-tech materials the others ride upon. Instead of wearing traditional lightweight spandex attire, she wears cotton sweats that are anything but aerodynamic, perhaps best described as frumpy. She doesn’t possess the physique of a cyclist, nor is she particularly gifted in the endeavor. While others showcase consistent pedaling steadily easing them uphill, her actions are labored - her front wheel often swings side to side, exposing that her approach is anything but smooth or natural.
But of all the cyclists I've ever seen riding up that mountain, she is my all time favorite.
She has become a profound hero to me.
There she is, seemingly out of her element. Yet, she pedals with passion, perhaps more committed and focused than the others who climb with far less effort. Her determination is evident, her courage inspiring. No matter what, she struggles forward, always forward, fighting mightily for every inch. Though her pace is sluggish, I’ve never once seen her stop.
Sometimes when I’ve seen the lady on the red bicycle struggle uphill, I've thought how we all fight feelings of inadequacy at different points in our lives. We all become the reluctant underdog who feels insufficient standing toe to toe with challenges perceived to be far stronger than our ability to conquer them.
In these times we may find hope through the examples of other individuals like Louis Pasteur, a celebrated French microbiologist from the nineteenth century, who's medical breakthroughs within microbial fermentation saved countless lives. Regarding his success, he offered this statement: "Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity."
It is inside that spirit of tenacity where the the broadest grounds for achievement are unlocked.
Did you know that NASA experienced 20 failures in 28 attempts to send rockets into space? Or that famed novelist Jack London received roughly 600 rejections before his first story was accepted? Even Thomas Edison, known as America's greatest inventor, was once asked not to return to school because his teacher described him in a written letter as "too stupid to learn".
Pasteur, NASA, London, and Edison kept pedaling just like the lady on the red bicycle.
I've seen her at the intersection at the top multiple times. Her tenacity fueling her to the summit each time, in turn fueling me with appreciation and gratitude for her example. One day, I hope to tell her in person how much she’s inspired me.
Without fail, life will place each us in front of mountain climbs of various types. We will feel inadequate, unfit, and perhaps foolish for even considering we can complete the ride.
In these cases, the lady on the red bicycle, armed with tenacity, represents us all.
Keep pedaling.
