Overcoming long distances - it's all in the head!

These white houses in the distance where the starting point.

In spring 2013, when my bicycle was still brand-new and I was a newbie, I didn't ride the distances that I am able to ride now.

I could easily move around the city, due to the fact that the distances are shorter, but as the summer was approaching, I felt uncomfortable to ride longer distances. I was convinced it would be hard and tiring. At that time I didn't even think of doing the route I'm doing today as part of my daily commute.

I cycled the whole round. As you can see,  this isn't a big ride but neither a small one!

But in the end of summer 2013, I felt the curiosity to explore my limits. I wanted to ride further. The opportunity came when my schedule changed and I had to be in places in inconvenient hours of the day. I still remember the day that I first attempted to ride from my house all the way to the city center. At that time I thought it was a really long distance, and the idea of that was bolstered by the fact that it was an unknown route. But of course in reality it wasn't such a long distance, it was only an 11 kilometers round trip.

Resting in a restaurant, which was still closed at that  time.

And that was only the beginning! After that time I started to ride further and further! And all of that by using my one and only upright bicycle. 

At first, people tried to persuade me that with the particular kind of bicycle that I own, I couldn't be able to ride longer distances, but in the end I realised that it is not the bicycle that matters, it is the rider! It is the willingness!

Again, the starting point! The houses that are in the left side of the picture.

Sure, with certain types of bicycles long distance riding becomes much easier, but that doesn't mean I cannot go for a big ride because I do not own one of those bicycles.
It's what I write in the title, anyone can overcome a long distance ride, it's just all in the head! Do you want to try it? Go ahead! Don't think about the type of your bicycle as an obstacle. Just grab it and go out there and ride, explore different routes, other neighborhoods, the nearby villages, your local forest, find trails that are quite and motor vehicle free and just ride.

While resting, I took some pictures. I really like this one!

Now I am able to ride for even a 60 kilometers round trip. It is not that long if you consider the fact that many cyclists have this distance just for an appetiser. But it is surely a significant distance for me, a typical rider, who just commutes with a bicycle when going to work or rides her bike just for enjoyment, and all of this by using the only bicycle that I have. It is not perfect, I know it and I accept this, it is slower but I like it and I find it comfortable. Riding it feels nice, why should I bother change it or consider to buy another one? As long as it feels right, just use what you have! 

I like this one, too! The water's swirling between the rocks.

If I ever feel the urge and need for something more, then and only then I will buy another bicycle! 
Keep in mind though, you can go for a long distance ride, you can go to your work which is 6 kilometers away with your bicycle, you can travel by bicycle to the near village to say hello to a friend and pay a visit. 

In reality it is not the long distance that you have to overcome, it is these doubts in your head. Do not let them be an obstacle!

Enjoy your ride!