It's not about the race — it's about the start

This weekend I'm going to be part of a moving sea of brightly coloured Lycra racing through the streets of Pasadena during the annual Impact bike race. This is one of my favourite weekends of the year, but it wasn't always that way. 

I wasn't always cut out to race an 80-kilometre course on a weekend, but getting myself to the start line a couple years ago is one of the best goals I've accomplished. 

My life choices changed both drastically and for the better in the spring of 2014. I was just home from the local bike shop with a new bike and a wardrobe full of Spandex. I had no idea if I was going to physically enjoy riding a bike, but I was going to look the part. 

Despite some challenges trying to figure out how to clip my feet into the pedals, I was hooked from the first ride. I was just like a kid who just got his first bike. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. 

As the weeks went by I was starting to feel healthy. I watched with amazement as I suddenly became interested in changing my diet. The next thing I knew, I was down 25 pounds a few months later.

My first race

A year later, and nearly 60 pounds lighter, I was almost vomiting up nerves as I waited at the start line in Pasadena for the race director to say "go."

Somehow, I went from being a newbie bike owner to entering a race with people who've been doing this for years.

I was at the start line with about 40 other cyclists. It was very intimidating. 

I had no idea what I was doing despite endless conversations with my friends in the cycling community. 

But then I realized: this isn't about racing. It's about being here. My goals, like many those of many other people in this event, was to just ride and do my personal best. And 10 laps later, I was thrilled to finish the course. 

Community impact

It's a community event, for anyone who can ride a bike. It's as simple as that. If you can pedal a bike, you can sign up.

Like similar races in St. John's and Grand Falls-Windsor, there are different categories for people who just want to ride, and for those who want to race. But all riders are welcome.

Once I completed my first race, I was hooked on the adrenalin from starting and finishing something. You don't have to be a super athlete like many people think.

Each year, I try to sign up to as many races around the province as I can because of that rush. 

Cycling is my thing. But there are lots of similar events in different sports that are just as welcoming.

So, if you've been thinking about signing up for something this summer, I recommend you get yourself to the start line. You will thank yourself later for doing it.