2021: Same Trail, Different You

Photo by Colin Meagher

Let’s dive right in. 2020 was not the trail we were expecting. It started like a typical trail ride. There were some fun swoopy berms, a few tricky tech bits, and a nice ratio of up to downhill. As you continued cruising along, in the distance you heard what sounded like a few trees falling, and you saw a few sketchy trail signs, but they didn’t seem to affect you and your ride continued without consequence. Rather suddenly, the trail completely fell apart and you didn’t know how to keep moving forwards. You sat down, ate all your snacks, lost a lot of motivation, and gained some weight.

After a good long break, you managed to pick yourself up and ride, walk, and tripod your way through the rest of the 2020 trail. As you neared the end you saw a trail junction, “--> Trail 2021.” You pick up steam, pedal a bit harder and dig deeper than you thought possible to reach the finish. “That was brutal!” You exclaim. “Thankfully I don’t have to ride that freaking trail ever again!” You toss off your pack, give your companions air high fives, and have a few too many celebratory snacks and beverages before making the turn onto trail 2021.

As the new trail starts you make a few quick promises to yourself that you swear you’ll stick to for at least the first 3 miles, and you know deep down, this trail will be better.

No sooner have you pedaled 15 minutes into the trail than you’re confronted with the same obstacles that were on trail 2020. “WTF!” You shout. “This trail was supposed to be better.” But it’s not better. Trail 2021 is made up of the same terrain as trail 2020 and is in the same part of the forest. The 2021 trail is still managed by the same shitty trail manager and trail crew, yes there are a few good workers but overall the management is the worst you’ve ever seen. You know there will be a change in leadership but you’re not sure how much of an impact it will make, or how quickly.

You’re frustrated. You’re sad. You kick the ground, you cry, and you feel like a little kid again yearning for when trails were simpler and you didn’t have to hike your damn bike up and over so many towering obstacles. When you’re finished throwing your fit, you set your sights down the trail again. Because you know moving forwards is the only option. But this time, when you see the downed trees, the stream crossings, the uphill that goes on seemingly forever, a resolve hardens in you. I will get through this damn trail! I know how to do this. Because I’ve done it before! The trail may not have changed, but you have changed. You have struggled more than you knew was possible, you have pushed longer than you thought capable, and you have found joy in the struggle.

As we enter into 2021, we know things will not improve immediately. We are in a waiting game that unfortunately few of us have any control over. But we have nearly a year of experience to draw on to make this next year bright. And we are different! As we move into 2021 I encourage you to reflect back on this past year and focus on your high points. Did your family spend more time together? Did you pick up old (or new) hobbies that now are an integral part of your life? What parts of 2020 do you want to take with you into next year? It’s easy to chalk 2020 up to a stinky bag of trash and want to chuck as far away from you as possible, but before you do, make sure you double check that you haven’t tossed out any treasures you may have accumulated over the past year.

I’d love to hear your thoughts as you prepare to head into 2021! I sincerely hope this is a better year for all of us:)