Venus De Miles Chicago 2013

My name is Lena and I love riding my bicycle. I do not compete, but rather enjoy riding my bike Sunday morning in the nearby park. Last year I rode 25 miles in the first Venus de Miles ride in Chicago and this year I did it again.

Venus de Miles is a lot of things – Northern Illinois’ first all-women’s road ride, a celebration of sisterhood, support for Greenhouse Scholars, and crazy fun – but one thing it’s not is a race. So, don’t be afraid to walk your bike up that hill, and, most importantly, enjoy yourself. Join us Sunday, July 28th 2013, for our second year and put your pedal to the mettle.

However, this story is not about me or even about the Venus De Miles ride. It is about my friend who rode with me this year. Her name is Joanna and she has finished her very first 25 mile ride this year.

The Venus de Miles is not a competition. Sure there are plenty of riders who are fast and I mean really fast, but there are also so many that are not. However, what would stop you from saying one day I WANT TO RIDE 25 MILES. Do you need fancy jersey? Do you need an expensive bike? Do you need those pricy pedal things?

A year ago I was excited to share my emotions about my very first group ride to a group of my co-workers. I talked about the ride and sponsors, massages and morning yoga, goodies and dessert when Joanna said: next year I will ride with you.

6 months later as I was getting ready to register for the ride I reminded her of the promise and she was still up for it. We both paid our entrance fees and agreed to figure out how to raise money for the fundraising goal and start training.

Fundraising

Greenhouse Scholar Program provides comprehensive personal and financial support to high-performing, under-resourced college students. Using our unique Whole Person© approach, which offers intellectual, academic, professional, and financial support, this program helps to cultivate the next generation of community leaders. The day Green Scholar Scholars leave college, they’ll be prepared to succeed in their professional endeavors and make significant contributions in their communities.

Life happens and I came to realization that we didn’t do much of training with Joanna. With a combined effort we went to one spin class and she did two 20 minute rides on her stationary bike at home.

Not much of training, ah?

However, she did work extra hard on making her fundraising goal – babysitting and asking friends and family for donations. The day of the ride she has met!

With a combined 1h 40 minute training time my friend was standing next to me at the start line with her husband’s bicycle and a helmet. She was ready for the race! I had my daoubts as the the clock turned 8 am and there was no turning back.

We didn’t go fast. We took lots of cautious turns. We adjusted and learned things as we were covering our distance one mile at a time. We wished together for the rest stop too many times.

One. Mile. At. A. Time.

We were probably ones of the last people to finish the ride, but we did finish it! Joanna probably  hated me for giving her the idea to ride this ride together, but she didn’t give up.

As we crossed the finish line together all I could say was: Crazy Woman, can you believe you just rode a 25-mile ride with practically no training?

Good thing the organizers knew exactly how to treat tired cyclists. Venus De Miles event doesn’t stop at the finish line – this experience includes yoga, delicious lunch, music, mani/pedis, massages, and so much more. There was also an endless line of booths with all kinds of goodies. Pamper yourself and don’t hurry to leave.

So how can a person wake up one day and decide s/he wants to take part in a long ride, run a marathon or climb a mountain? I’d say yes!

It starts with a dream and fueled by a desire, gets carried up by a promise and determination. At the end it might be cursing, praying or wishing. And right after you cross the finish line – it’s PRIDE! Head spinning pride…

 Learn more about Venus De Miles ride and Greenhouse Scholar Program – you can help real people!

Big thank you to my pit crew (my husband, my sister, and the kids) for stocking us along the ride and making these awesome pictures