Did you hear the joke about the winter that never ends…?

Everyone who has sat in my fit studio receives the same perplexing request about 15 minutes into their fit- “pedal the bike with no part of your foot touching the shoe”. Eyebrows cross as people sink into contemplation about what the hell that might mean. Then the thinking stops, the body takes over and, whoa, it’s happening.

And away we go.

That’s Souplesse. It’s a French thing, but it’s also a bike thing, while still being a life thing. Suppleness in your pedal stroke gives you the ability to finesse power, micro adjust position and find the space within to become your true you. No longer pushing against the pedals, you become the pedal stroke.

As we come out of winter and into the warmer season, where normal people begin riding their bikes, I encourage all of you to ease into it. It’s been a long, hard period, chances are your being is worn down just a little with the exertions required to shovel the walk one more time, rally for that last powder day or just keep a smile on your face as you read the weather forecast for the week.

Find your center on your bike. Find your balance. Take your time and get your structure right, encourage the tensions to release, letting fluidity and efficiency be your goal. Spend the rest of April riding at a conversation pace. Make an appointment to get your fit adjusted- are you the same person now as you were last fall?

Then allow the Souplesse into the rest of your life. Rigidity might be strong, allowing you to push hard to get that thing accomplished, but how many times can it be replicated? Find the inner strength to bend and flow- say “yes” when you are able, “no” when it’s not possible. Apply yourself quickly, accelerate to get into an energized moment, then slow down to savor the rewards of the first flower or the new fawn.

That’s the wonderful part of riding a bike- you immerse yourself in what’s around. The smells, temperatures, sights and exertions are as much a part of the experience as the new XTR brakes. Bend yourself into the moment, lend your soul to the effort, let go of the outside to find the inner peace.

If the journey can start along this path, we can go a really long way.

Cheers.