August 11 | Amanda Park to Shelton
I have many teachers. They come in many forms. One of them is made of steel and aluminum, rubber and carbon fiber—my bicycle.
This week it has given me a refresher course in the Power of One and the Strength in Numbers.
The lesson in the Power of One begins with choice. When I choose to take action, I begin a magical process—a journey into the moment and everything that follows. Without me exercising that originating choice, the journey never begins. It’s like the Chinese adage says, “A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.”
On a bicycle, this choice happens with the first pedal stroke. Without me clipping in and taking that first stroke, my bike can’t move and I’m left standing in place.
But here is where the lesson of the Strength in Numbers comes in, because if the first pedal stroke isn’t followed by others—sometimes thousands of others—the journey never develops. The originating choice to begin has to be sustained by a committed and engaged support system: I have to keep pedaling.
This all seems obvious, but it becomes really important on long rides like today when we covered just under 90 miles. As the miles and hills add up, both the body and mind need reminding: Don’t try to ride 90 miles all at once. Stay focused on making the originating choice with the one pedal stroke that’s happening right now. And let the thousands of strokes that follow do just that—follow.
Another important element in my refresher course this week has been seeing my personal experience and journey (the Power of One) within the context of the whole team of 33 riders and seven route leaders (the Strength in Numbers). The fact is that it’s much easier to ride for six days and several hundred miles with a group than alone.
Just knowing that 32 other riders are strung out along the road in front of and behind me gives me a huge lift in strength. And this is especially true of the small group of riders who ride with me for a few or all the miles.
My personal, originating choice and my sustaining number of follow through pedal strokes will carry me to my journey’s end. But the strength in numbers that flows from and through the group lets me do so almost effortlessly.
It’s what in taiji is known as wu wei (“empty stepping “ or “actionless action“). The ride flows. I can do it alone. But done together—shared—we can transform.
We did that today, and have been doing it all week.
If you’re interested in learning more about BTUSFMS and the work they do, you can visit their website at http://www.biketheusforms.org.
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