That was mystical that older woman cyclist you encountered! A guide…

I haven't had a lot of these moments in my life but it really felt that way. I may well have turned around if she didn't call out to me.

I want to testify that I have known you since 2006, and I know how sick you have been and for how long. (You do a great job of conveying the misery of trying to function in the world during this travesty.) The fact that now you are cycling like this is kind of miraculous! And, once it started, it happened pretty fast. This is going to really reassure a lot of people. And this substantial exercise and meditative discipline has just got to be great for your continued overall healing.

Thanks, Sheila. My cycling is both miraculous and potentially misleading. On the one hand I've come a long way and even a year ago I wouldn't have believed that I am doing some of the things that I am doing now on a bike. On the other hand the image of me cycling is misleading in the sense that it conveys health and vitality when in fact I am still struggling a great deal. But don't get me wrong cycling has been huge for me and my health is improving. What I am doing is miraculous considering where I've been.

One question – Did you have any interest in cycling before last year or did the idea come to you out of the blue? If it came to you out of the blue, do you remember what sparked it? Like a TV show, magazine article, mentioned by someone you know? Or did it just start as a sort of low-key, practical solution to a knee problem, that, with time, revealed itself to be your destiny?

I had done some road biking in the early 90s and really loved it but unfortunately I drifted back to less healthy things and then my bike was stolen. Before the recent knee injury I tried biking with the thought that it would be a gentler form or exercise than running and that it would add variety to my exercise routine. I did ride a few times but then my decades old tire came apart and I thought why not just put the money toward a more ridable bike. I didn't have any expectations for biking other than mixing up my fitness routine and varying the scenery a bit. So to answer your question it was just a low key practical solution but I had been reaching out a whole lot in prayer and then this came along. Again, it feels like gift.