Why I Ride

People ask me why I ride and I never have a short answer, so here is the long one.

I ride because for a few hours, my brain finally shuts up. No notifications, no noise — just wind and engine and the next curve. It is the only place I feel completely in the moment.

I ride because there is nothing like blonde hair flying out from under a helmet on an empty road. (Helmet hair is real and I wear it proudly.)

I ride because bike people are my people. Strangers wave at you. Strangers help you. Try getting that in a parking lot in a car.

I ride because it makes me feel strong and soft at the same time — like I can handle anything and still cry at a good sunset. Both things. Same girl.

Mostly I ride because the girl I am on the bike is my favorite version of me. Confident. Free. A little windblown. That is her. That is me.