Just....

this is why we ride...

the power of transformation is powerful. Deepak Chopra writes:

a person's identity isn't a cloak that can be taken off. Transforming your identity is more like performing surgery on yourself; you must act as the doctor and the patient. This is an impossible task in the physical world, but entirely possible with awareness.Awareness looks at itself, and when it does, it can search out flaws and fix them. The reason it can mend itself is that only awareness is involved. When you become aware of your defects, the result is fatal for the ego. It can't compete with the soul's vision of fulfillment. We have been conditioned to believe that it is the ego that is practical and realistic in its approach to life, while the soul is unattainable and detached from everyday affairs.

Here is what the ego thinks; I have everything I need to be comfortable. I am serene because bad things can't come near me. Through hard work, anything can be achieved. I measure myself by my accomplishments. I win much more often than I lose. I have a strong self-image. Because I am attractive, I win the attention of the opposite sex. When I find perfect love, it will be on my terms.

The soul's vision: I am everything I need. I am secure because I have nothing to fear in myself. The flow of lifes abundance brings me everything. I do not measure myself by external standard. Giving is more important than winning. I have no self-image, I am beyond image. Other people are attracted to me soul to soul. I can find perfect love because I have discovered it first in myself.

We ride from our souls, to nurture one another and the greatness that exists inside us. We pedal our bikes, no different from a child, a man getting to work in a third world country, a bespoke gentleman going for tea with his beloved. We ride from the soul everyday. No ego. Never. Our mission is to pedal bikes, bikes baby. Urban Warriors making connections, paying forward with love and respect. We drop no one, on the road and in our lives. We ride not as a team but as a peleton, where everyone is valuable and has a place and a purpose. We never forget that. Ever. Urban Warrior Velo Club. Are we ready for this season? I tip my hat ladies and gentlemen and let the rides begin....

so what is your excuse again, Lisa?

there are days when this all feels like a dream. how did I get here? all of this indulgent chatter and self defeat. then in researching yet another topic, i stumble across this. How do you make it through and still make it beyond? This is strength. I have learned as of late that being strong isn't standing in the fire to feel its burn, its not fighting the storm while the storms rage. It is making sure that when the storm is over, you haven't allowed it to change you. It is the process of walking through the fire that is your strength. New ground grows after a fire. Is this what we are afraid of? And the storm doesn't define you. You came out on the other side of it; better, wiser. Strength has a physical quality, but really the strongest among us, the ones who live in lieu of the storms and fires are strength personified. We all have it in us, everyone of us. Fires and storms. Strength. No excuses.

"Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. "

As some of the amazing people who I have the privilege of coaching know, the end of the Winter season is upon us. Why is this important? Well, first it means spring is suppose to be arriving soon. Spring means out of doors, riding bikes, flowers, farmers markets, walking dogs and oh did I mention riding bikes? Soon I will be posting the Summer ride list. This year there will be two opportunities to ride on both Saturday and on Sunday. Saturdays rides will most likely take place in the Providence/Pawtucket area, using the bike lanes and bike paths in those areas. The Sunday rides will start local to the gym in Taunton, as was last year and move to locations south and a long the water, Dartmouth, Little Compton and Westport. They are safer and have less traffic. I am planning a Fourth of July ride in the Bristol area, as well, using their bike path and have it wrap up with a lovely sunset dinner. Stay tuned for the outlined plans!!! Getting us ready for the outdoor season, this week will embark on : a chance to use all of the skills developed in class over the winter season in a way that will challenge and inspire your spring riding. "Racing on a bike to nowhere, Lisa? Sounds kind of ridiculous?" I know. It does seem like a crazy bananas idea but we are on this journey together. What you need to focus on is motivation; why do you ride? Who are you on the bike? How can this challenge you to make a move towards greatness, to power, to understand your our strength and capacity? When you are challenged what happens? I fear racing. I fear that I will never be good enough, strong enough, that I am not a star. It gets into my head and then my heart. And like a bad cold, infects me. I can't shake it. I have never had a bad fall, or been crushed in a loss. Its my heads defeats my heart every time. Race day allows one to race the demons out of their head and ride from their heart. It gives you the chance to line up the "haters", the obstacles and speed past them a a pace unknown. It allows to to break from whatever fear is there, so when you are off the bike, you can understand that by moving forward you crush your fear and live from your heart. We launch race week Wednesday night, March 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Taunton WOW. I would love to have you participate! The most important thing to bring is your determination, I will have "maps" for you to navigate, numbers and extra water. If you want a visual reminder of why you ride, bring a photo, talisman, something tangible to remind you, motivate you. You so got this!!!! We work as a team and keep the team first. We drop no one and never compete with each other. If you see some one struggle, give them a hand up or a great job, booty pat!!!! Just know you are going to be awesome! More details to come as we get closer... (Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.~Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip." in honor of my Dad, avid cyclist and all around bad ass George Machado Angelo, 1936-2012)

This girl is on her shoe game...

shoes Today in my Introduction to Cycle Class in Taunton, MA, the question was asked again about cycle shoes. I would never encourage any one to NOT buy new shoes but ones commitment to excersize should be a balance of passion and function. In these tough economic times, it would be irresponsible and even prohibitive to say that shoes specifically for cycle are REQUIRED for my class. But lets just talk about the benefits: according to Livestrong.com "Cycling shoes serve one primary function, and that is to increasing the power output during every pedal stroke. By increasing power output, you also increase the number of calories burned during the workout. The cycling shoes have a stiff sole that improves the transfer of power from the leg to the bike. The clips on the cycling shoes also engage more leg muscles with ability to push on the down stroke and pull on the up stroke for all-around toning and strengthening of the lower body." Sounds familiar, right? Keep in mind cost and benefit and balance that ratio to your advantage. I made the joke in class,that special someone asked you to the formal event of the season, you would know what shoes would give you the greatest advantage to make the night special. Well, think of this: the legs walking in those special event shoes will have gained strength and power through your determination and passion in cycle class. Look for a hard sole, a shoe that breathes and the cleat pod can accommodate an SPD clip. Hope to see you in class soon... Lets bring your shoe game to the next level.

Wonderful Copenhagen from Copenhagenize on Vimeo.

Sometimes we forget...

Rapha, put eloquently, we work as a team.