On being a woman who’s riding a bike from NYC to San Francisco
Startup Cycling: 34/120
On March 30th, 2016, I joined Thomas Despin to cross the United States from New York to San Francisco by bicycle. One of our common objective is to improve our discipline, by making every day, for 120 days. He makes videos, I write articles.
I am 27. Ten years ago, I would have thought that I will be a mum at this age, living a comfortable life in a cute apartment in Paris, settling in a job I am good at and absolutely thrilled to plan our next family weekend abroad.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea. But for some reasons, this is not the choice I made. Instead of that, I left the man and the apartment on the eve of being graduate and I started to experiment. A lot.
I tried to combine a professional path with travel experiences, which I succeed so far. Every 6 months/year ever since, I’m about taking on a new challenge that allows me to expand in possibilities.
Despite of the inconstancy due to the movement, the coherence remains: I love stories. When I’m not working on relating startup stories, or creating the best environment for brands to speak in the media, I’m creating mine.
“ What’s the story ? ”
Back in January 2016, I see one of Thomas’ video online and I fall under the spell of his project: Thomas is riding the world to meet game changers. At this time, I am working in a famous media in Paris. Within two weeks, I reach out with Thomas online, I quit my job and I began to get ready.
Today, 9 of May, I am with Thomas in Niagara Falls, Canada. I cycled 450 miles so far. I do wild camping most of time. I own nothing else than a bike. I have no plan farther than August 2016, when I shall arrive in San Francisco.
The present moment is the only thing I have. And even if this is the only thing we all have, I am experiencing it instead of knowing it and that makes a difference.
Here are the main thoughts and feelings I experienced so far.
I’d better love myself beyond all
I often made conscious choices to lead me to self discovery and self improvement. That wasn’t an obvious choice but I just couldn’t make it without experiencing who I am in different situations. Often the first weeks of cycling from NYC to Niagara Falls I felt too weak to cross the US by bike. Cycling every day requires to trust me in every pedal stroke. Physical efforts, pushing oneself to the limits, independence and courage are also lessons that make woman stronger.
A single decision can change my position in life but the thought that I am capable and confident is the essential fuel so that I go farther to the adventure.
One step at a time is the only path to big changes
I often pictured the kind of life I want to live. This is a daily thought I had without really understanding how to achieve it. I just had the feeling that one day, everything would just fit together. This cycling experience taught me that small things lead you way further than strides. Small things such as to only focus on pedal strokes and to write every day increase my self awareness. It makes me realize that doing something I love every single day improve my actual life while building a better tomorrow.
To sleep is as valuable as taking action
I lived in the obsession of time. Would I have enough time to travel the world, build a career, live a valuable relation, have children? I always think of the following action, the next stage, the next big thing and I end up being crushed with my bucket list. The road taught me so far that the sleep is an essential asset to give some rest in my mind and be able to be only focused on the essential action. To sleep helps me to see clearly, to cycle better better, to feel stronger.
Vulnerability is the strongest thing I have
I am traveling with a man who is cycling the world for a year. He is young, independant, action-oriented, confident and patient. I am emotional, vulnerable, full of doubt and impatient. Often I ask myself: do I have what it takes to cross the US by bike? Why do I put myself in such situation to do something I never did before, for whom I am not prepared? I won’t have any answer asking myself the wrong questions.
Vulnerability is what makes me who I am. This is the reason why I am here. This is the reason why I am listening to my guts and pushing me further to the person I want to become.
Vulnerability is the strongest thing I have because it leads me to my personal truth and it helps me to find the strength to achieve what I want.
As far as I am riding my bike to San Francisco, I am not only picturing the thing I want to achieve in my life, I am achieving the life I want for today. I may not be having babies, living a comfortable life in a cute apartment in Paris or settling in a job I am good at.
But I am absolutely thrilled not to plan tomorrow. Because it is what frees me to live today.
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