What I learnt from my bike trip

After reading my last article, a couple of friends and colleagues were curious to know which the lessons I'd learned and whether the experience had changed me in any way.

However, the initial purpose of sharing my story was to show how AI can tell a story out of a CSV file. The analogy between the number of calories and burgers is astonishing. Si I anticipated people being more impressed with that than my three-week bike trip.

Regardless, I'm pleased to share my insights here and use this opportunity to record my experiences …

Lesson 1: What are you really complaining about ?

After splitting away with my friend in Marseille, I started my second solo trip from Montpellier to Perpignan, a 185 km ride – a personal record at the time which was a big challenge in itself. Only two hours in, I realized I'd made a mistake, adding an extra 25 km to my route. Cycling back an hour was mentally exhausting. I was frustrated, knowing I'd end up cycling approximately 210 km and it was already nearing noon. After a significant mental effort, I regained some of the motivation. Around the 80 km mark, it started raining near Sete, and I started to face strong headwinds. The wind was so powerful that it would often push me a meter off course. At one point, the real pain wasn't physical but mental, with the unceasing sound of the wind. It was like those sleepless nights when loud music plays nearby. The only option was to persist against the wind. With 30 km left, I was completely drained and could have easily broken down. I complained about my earlier mistake, the rain, wind, and gravel and the sabd. However, on entering a small town, I saw a young man in a wheelchair being pushed by a young woman. This image hit me hard, silencing my complaints. It made me realize that my situation wasn't as dire. The person in the wheelchair might give anything for a day on a bike. From that point, whenever I began to complain, I'd remember that moment and ask myself, "What are you really complaining about now?"

Lesson 2: Happiness is simple.

The climbs were the highlights of the trip. Initially, I was initially afraid of climbing as I never did that before. But soon, I found them to be a source of joy. Humans have a special relationship with suffering that I still do not understand.? After one such climb, I took a break at the top of a mountain to catch my breath and enjoy the view. At that moment, I felt incredibly happy.? I started wondering where all this happiness was coming from. I was looking around and the only thing I could see was my bike with a saddle bag, I looked at my hands and there was a bottle of plain water, nothing else around. Then I just realised that man does not need much to be happy!

Lesson 3: Persist Through Unfavourable Conditions.

Almeria to Malaga was one of these long days and tough days. It was also the day before my journey ended and? tiredness was already at its peak. 2 or 3h in the day,? I found myself cycling along the coast, with the sea to my left and a mountain chain to my right. I was mentally braced for the distance and the uphill climbs.? I was mentally prepared for mileage and uphill climbs.However, an unanticipated challenge emerged - the wind, a cyclist's biggest enemy. I somehow quickly realised that , as the environment will remain the same (sea on left, mountain chain on the right), having unfavourable wind now means it will stay for a while. So the only thing I could do is pull my head and push until I am through the day.?

Lesson 4: Rain is just water.

On the same day from Almeria to Malaga, I had unexpected rain. I was so annoyed because a) I checked the day before and they did not forecast any b) it was the day before last day and I was expecting some mercy. First time it started to rain, I looked around and saw no dark clouds, only a few light ones. So I thought it was going to rain for a few seconds only but it was only raining heavier. Second look at the sky - to the front, to the left and then to the back and I still see nothing like a rainy cloud which added to my confusion !Upon looking directly overhead, however, I realised the raincloud was situated right above me and moving in the same direction I was going ! After a while I took a break and sent a voice message to a friend to express my frustration.?

By the time I reached Malga, the rain just intensified, So I stopped and decided to take a break if the hotel reception would stay open late. Then I heard my friend′s response in a voice message: “rain is just water”.? I must admit, I didn't listen to the rest of the message until today.? I simply stashed my phone back in my pocket and carried on, repeating to myself: "Rain is just water." It's astonishing how a shift in perspective can completely alter one's perception of a situation.

Lesson 5: The impact of the surrounding environment is very underestimated.?

It's truly fascinating to observe the profound impact that external factors such as weather or another person's actions can have on one's mood and mindset. This interplay was starkly revealed to me during my cycling journey.

The day I was leaving Girona, the road was bustling with cars. As if this weren't disheartening enough, it started to rain, followed swiftly by a disturbing wind. This kind of a sudden weather turn can damp the spirits of even the most determined individual, especially if it strikes early in the day. I remember my shoulders sagging under the weight of the wind and rain, a tangible manifestation of my dwindling morale.

However, just when the gloom seemed poised to prevail, an unexpected beacon of cheer appeared. A fellow cyclist, battling the same elements on the opposite side of the road, flashed me a broad, encouraging smile and waved. It was a simple gesture, a fleeting interaction between two strangers. Yet it sparked an immediate transformation in my state of mind. My spirits soared and I found myself pedaling with renewed vigor, an affirming smile mirroring the one that had cheered me up.

Equally transformative were those days when my mood was at its lowest level. The world seemed drained of colours, the journey unending and my motivation wavering. But then, as if in response to my inner turmoil, the clouds would part and the sun would emerge, casting its warm, golden glow over everything. Bathed in this sudden sunlight, my mood would undergo a remarkable transformation. The melancholy would dissolve, replaced by optimism. A spontaneous smile would broke on my face.

The surrounding environment significantly influences our mindset, as it can shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, profoundly affecting our overall mental well-being.

Lesson 6: we all need help at some point.

As my journey neared its conclusion, with just three days to go, I found myself tackling a long, gentle ascent. By all accounts, it was a climb I should have managed comfortably, but for some inexplicable reason, possibly due to a shortage of food or water, I found myself utterly drained. My legs refused to pedal any further, forcing me to a sudden stop. It was the first time I had experienced such a complete shutdown, and the unfamiliarity of it all made the situation a little bit alarming.

Then? a mountain biker came into view. He was slowly but steadily making his way up the incline, one airpod in (in Spain, you get a fine if you are cycling with a pair of airpods).? seemingly lost in the rhythm of his music as he nodded his head to its beat. Without giving it a second thought, I jumped on my bike and followed him. His slow pace was precisely what I needed at that moment. If he had been even slightly faster, I wouldn't have been able to keep up and would've been left behind.

Lesson 7: When you believe you've reached your limit, there's usually still more within you. You just need to dig deeper to discover it.

I remember the words a branch manager once shared with our team: "What you're trying to accomplish is challenging. The company has never done it before, so there's no one who can assist you. However, don't give up. Once you surrender to defeat, it becomes a habit."

These words resonated powerfully with me throughout the journey. Every time I felt like I had reached my breaking point, the idea of giving up was never an option. The risk of cultivating a habit of surrender was something I was not willing to entertain.

The solution was clear: continue to push, continue to dig deeper. Inevitably, something would emerge. The key was persistence and the belief that, no matter the odds, there was always something left in the tank.