Paying it Forward: Michele's Entry

The "Paying it Forward" Po Campo giveaway is still in progress (you can enter up until Sunday, August 7, 2011 at midnight PST - see here for details), but I thought perhaps a little bit of inspiration might be needed for others to share their stories. Odds are really good for winning at the moment, so take a chance and send yours on in.  Here is Michele's entry:

"I’m relatively new to the mountain biking world, but I’ve been seriously riding road bikes since 2001.  I think about all the people who helped get me where I am today and am very grateful! I couldn’t have done it without them.  On my first few rides, nice folk would sacrifice their own training goals to make sure I was ok if I couldn’t keep up.  They taught me the rules of the road and were encouraging during long rides when my legs were cramping and I couldn’t go any further.  I always made it home with their help.  Once I switched to mountain biking (after moving from Memphis to Atlanta), I was SO slow on the trails, tentative with roots, rocks, and log piles….but it was those awesome people who waited patiently for me that made me the rider I am today.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m no pro racer, but I enjoy racing my mountain bike and I surprise myself when I learn new tricks and defeat that previously impossible climb.

In turn, I’ve helped a lot of new riders out!  I’ve sacrificed my ride to go slow and show them which lines are better, I’ve taught them tricks to get over obstacles both physically and mentally.  On tough rides, I always carry extra food to give to those who are bonking and I make sure I have flat repair kits and other tools.  Just yesterday, I shared 20oz of precious water with a rider who ran out in the middle of nowhere—we still had at least an hour to ride.  I don’t expect anything in return, it just makes me happy when someone accomplishes something big with tips I shared with them.  Isn’t that what life’s about?" - Michele, Atlanta, GA

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Michele! As someone who has just recently tried mountain biking for the first time, I can appreciate this story tremendously.  

Do you have your own paying it forward story? If so, send your tale and/or photos to endlessvelolove{at}gmail{dot}com.