Meet Lupe, a Mexican cyclist who understood the power and freedom behind cycling long before she knew how to ride. She harnesses this power today during her long weekend rides & remembers how it helped her push through her toughest times.
Like many of us know, cycling can be TOUGH. It challenges you, pushes you beyond your limits, and sometimes knocks you down. But after enough long rides— you start to see results. Your endurance builds, your body gets stronger, and what was hard glides into a breeze. And that's why we love it.
Read on for Lupe's story on how cycling became more than just a fun pastime, but a place where she is reminded of the freedom that comes when you push just a little harder.
"Desde que era niña, soñaba de tener una bicicleta para pasear. Veía que la gente en mi pueblito se paseaba y exploraba en la bicicleta, y siempre queria saber cómo se sentia. Crecí en un pueblo pequeño en Jalisco, México y para mi familia, las bicicletas eran un lujo. ¡No aprendí a andar hasta los 24 años y conseguí mi primera bicicleta a los 40! Mi primera bicicleta fue una de montaña, pero ahora ando nomas en la carretera."
When I was a little girl, I dreamt of owning a bike to ride around in. I’d watch people in my town ride around and explore, and I always wanted to know what it was like. I grew up in a small town in Jalisco, Mexico and for my family, bikes were a luxury. I didn’t learn how to ride until I was 24, and didn’t get my first bike until I was 40! My first bike was a mountain bike, but now I mostly ride road.
"Mi motivación para andar en la bicicleta viene de cómo me da fuerza. Hace 15 años que tuve cáncer del pecho, y andando en la bicicleta me ayudó durante mi recuperación. Cada vez que iba en un raite, me sentía más fuerte y eso me motivaba a recorrer más millas y conquistar más subidas. Todavía mantengo esa actitud, y aunque aveces me cueste mucho, cada vez que supero algo me motiva a seguir echandole ganas."
My motivation to ride comes from how it gives me strength. I had breast cancer 15 years ago, and cycling really helped me out during my recovery. Every time I rode my bike, I felt stronger and that would motivate me to ride more miles, and conquer more hills. I keep that attitude today, and while it can sometimes be exhausting, every time I do a little better it motivates me to continue putting more effort into it.
"Llevo poco más de 10 años andando en la bicicleta, y me siento orgullosa a ver cómo las bicicletas une a mi familia. Tenemos la oportunidad de explorar, reír y divertirnos al aire libre, tal como soñaba cuando era niña."
I've been riding bikes for just over a decade now, and it fills me with pride when I see how cycling brings my family together. We get to explore, laugh, and just have fun outside— just like I dreamt of doing as a little girl.
