The author reflects on their life in western North Carolina, where growing up included seasonal joys and outdoor activities like fishing and sledding. At 60 pounds overweight and dealing with health issues, they were encouraged to try mountain biking as an alternative sport. Initially intimidated by the sport's extreme reputation, they found immense personal freedom in biking. This new hobby provided an escape and a sense of joy while in a hospital setting, contrasting the struggles faced by fellow patients, which deepened the appreciation for this transformative experience.
Many people think of mountain biking as an extreme-and male-dominated-sport, and it certainly can be. But I came to love it for what it gave me: freedom.
At the urging of friends, I became motivated to try a new sport... So, around the same time I started getting regular iron infusions, I took up mountain biking.
I couldn't help thinking: No. This is what's scary. Practically every other person was fighting cancer, just as my mother had years ago-before it took her.
Out there on my bike, alone, there was no one to care if I sang off-key or let out an occasional whoop of pure elation.
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