Since I joined Team Billy, I have met some truly amazing people and that was one of my goals when I decided to participate in the CCC. I joined Team Billy last week because their posting on the Arthritis Foundation website was so positive and inviting and those weren’t mere words! When I spoke with Suzi, I told her that I had a flat tire and that my bicycle shop was so backlogged that I would have to wait 2 weeks before I could get it fixed. She was all over it! The next day, she called to tell me that Valley Bicycle in Santa Clarita could fix my tire for me on Sunday. Great, I thought, but how would I get my bike out there? I still didn’t have my bike rack. Suzi instructed me to take off the front tire so that my bike could fit in my Mini Cooper and it did. Sunday morning I put the top down, fit my bike in the car and drove out to Santa Clarita. I met Suzi at Valley Bicycle. The people at the shop were great! Jeremy changed both my tires with gator tires. Suzi said she’s had gator tires for 8 years and has never gotten a flat! Well, that’s what I needed!
As soon as we were done getting our bikes serviced, John, Suzi’s friend joined us for our ride. It was a beautiful day as we rode the bike paths in Santa Clarita. We made a nice loop and passed several cyclists as we rode. It was the first time I was riding with other cyclists and I really enjoyed the conversation and serendipity was in the air. John had worked at one of the schools I had subbed at and we knew many of the same people. Whenever things like that happen it reminds me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Some people might say it’s a coincidence, but I say it’s a confirmation, a sign that you are moving in the right direction. Today I had a great ride and I made some great friends. When I got home I checked my stats: 18.27 miles in a little under 2 hours. I seem to be averaging 10 miles an hour.
