Article October 30, 2006 Issue

WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE?

BY ERIC NELSON

It looked like a pack of sweaty bike riders, appearing out of nowhere, speeding down a lonesome road in 100-degree heat. At least that's what it looked like to me. But there was more to it.

I was perhaps 130 miles into an all-day 200-mile bike ride through the foothills of California's Eastern Sierra when I began to run out of steam. Not having much else to think about, I wondered why I was feeling this way. Had I eaten the right food last night? Had I gotten enough sleep? Was I taking in plenty of fluids? Had I trained hard enough? Even though the answer to all these questions was an unequivocal "Yes," I still felt pretty exhausted.

This led me to ask a different question: "If it's not food and water, not the amount of rest or training, then what is it that propels me forward? What is the source of my strength?" The only answer I could think of was love. My love for the spectacular scenery surrounding me. My love for biking. My love for the freedom, flexibility, harmony, and joy I experience each time I ride.