Life Is a Beautiful Journey — Enjoy the Ride | A Cyclist’s Reflection
I have a plaque on a bookshelf in my home that reads, “Life is a Beautiful Journey, Enjoy the Ride.”
By itself, it’s a phrase you’ve probably seen a hundred times. On signs. On mugs. On inspirational décor that people buy because it sounds nice.
But for me, the words matter because of what’s underneath them. The small photo tucked into that plaque is my family and me at South Padre Island — standing at the southernmost point in Texas — at the end of my ride across Texas in 2020.
That picture is the reason the plaque is on my shelf. The phrase isn’t decoration. It’s a reminder.
“Enjoy the Ride” Sounds Easy — Until Life Gets Hard
This phrase sticks around because it points to something true: life is a gift, and we don’t get unlimited time to appreciate it.
But if we’re being honest, “enjoy the ride” can feel like advice meant for calm days — not the ones filled with stress, uncertainty, fatigue, or fear.
On one level, it’s a metaphor. Life is a journey. We can choose to be present for it — or spend our time worrying about what’s ahead and missing what’s happening right now.
I spent years understanding that idea intellectually. Cycling is what made it real.
Cycling Turned a Saying Into a Practice
I’m a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist. I’ve logged more miles than I ever imagined I would, often riding alone with nothing but time, wind, and my thoughts.
When I’m on a bike, I’m not scrolling. I’m not multitasking. I’m not pretending I’ll deal with things “later.”
I’m present.
I notice the weather shifting. I notice towns most people drive through without a thought. I notice how my body feels — good days, bad days, strong days, tired ones.
That’s where “enjoy the ride” stops being a slogan and becomes something you actually do.
How Cycling Makes Life Feel More Beautiful
Cycling is physical, yes — but it’s also mental and philosophical. It teaches lessons that tend to stick.
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It helps you notice the world again.
Riding slows you down in the best possible way. You see the sky changing, hear birds, feel temperature shifts, and notice details you’d miss behind a windshield. -
It gives you quiet time with your own thoughts.
Not forced silence — just space. Problems untangle. Emotions settle. Things that felt overwhelming start to feel manageable. -
It connects you to other people.
Whether you ride alone or with others, cycling creates shared understanding. Conversations are easier. Stories last longer. -
It keeps your body capable.
Cycling is low impact, joint-friendly, and sustainable. It’s not about chasing youth — it’s about protecting independence. -
It teaches you how to keep going.
Headwinds don’t care about your plans. Neither do bad legs or wrong turns. You learn that progress doesn’t always feel exciting — but it still counts.
A Reflection I Believe Deeply
Life is like a bicycle ride. You start carefully. You wobble. You learn.
Over time, confidence grows. The ride gets smoother — not because the road improves, but because you do.
There will always be bumps. There will be fear. There will be days you don’t feel strong.
But if you keep pedaling — if you stay present — you eventually realize the destination was never the point.
The ride was.
Why That Plaque Stays on My Shelf
The words are popular. The photo makes them personal.
That image from South Padre Island reminds me that effort can end in joy, that family gives meaning to the finish line, and that hard journeys can still be beautiful.
When life feels heavy, I don’t need new advice. I just need the reminder I already live by: Life is a beautiful journey. Enjoy the ride.
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