“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” –Leo Tolstoy
Although changing ourselves may be the hardest thing, a lot of people are putting their imaginations to work through cycling. The positive effects of cycling are astounding. 62-year-old Geoff Whitington gained a new lease on life after taking on the challenge of doing the Ride London event in 2014. Geoff had diabetes before he committed to training. Now, three years later, he’s transformed his life by losing 98 pounds. He’s diabetes-free.
Geoff was part of the “Fixing Challenge” in the UK, where families are encouraged to change their lives and share their stories to inspire others. Geoff’s story “could be the story of millions” who are suffering from imbalanced eating and sedentary lifestyles. The truth is when we try to change ourselves we get a lot of support from others.
We need to hear more of these good news stories. And they go well beyond diabetes. Cycling helps us improve our mental health, freedom and independence, and gives youth a chance to explore their world while discovering their inherent mobility powers. Cycling can also give us a sense of fullness that comes with a purposeful life filled with meaning and joy. Cycling helps us experience beauty and satisfaction in our everyday lives that we can share. This is on top of all the social benefits such as savings on healthcare, freed up space, and creating more livable cities.
Here are links to Geoff’s story, and a few more. Cycle on!
The Prudential RideLondon Fixing Challenge, Geoff’s story:
https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/100/entries/ballot/fixing-challenge/
An article in the NY Times today about veterans re-centering their lives with outdoor activities:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/us/finding-some-peace-after-war
Lael Wilcox on why she tackles long distance rides by herself:
http://www.bicycling.com/rides/why-i-choose-to-tackle-really-long-rides-by-myself
Southwest Bike Initiative 