Why I Pedal: How Cycling Evolves Through Life’s Seasons | Eileen May-West

“Riding bikes has added different things to my life at different times and has a way of aligning with what I needed at the time.” – Eileen, WAS Program Director

For WAS Program Director Eileen May-West, the love for cycling started back in Connecticut on her very first Mongoose mountain bike. When she was 10 years old, she would follow her older brother to a nearby outdoor YMCA facility to ride.

The ride home was the hardest part. Her brother would leave her in the dust as she struggled to walk her bike up a half-mile stretch of asphalt with 125 feet of elevation gain. But the first day she finally managed to pedal all the way to the top, she felt as proud as she had ever been. She has experienced many similar lessons in growth on a bike since that day.

Today, Eileen pedals to escape from all the “shoulds” and “have-to’s” of daily life. She rides to experience pure joy, flow, and awe.

Over the years, bikes have given her exactly what she needed. They gave her a way to explore the outdoors and experience independence when she moved cross-country solo after college. They gave her a way to connect with her husband. They reminded her of her athleticism and physical capabilities during a challenging phase of new motherhood. Now, they give her a way to share movement and build confidence with her daughters.

We are so grateful to have Eileen leading our programs! Next time you see Eileen, ask her what is currently playing on her playlist or about her family bike rides!

Learn more about Pedal With Purpose here: https://lnkd.in/g6HksUAP