Pedals vs piston, a drag race? Last week, before my epic coast-to-coast ride to Ibeno Beach, I had one of my best cycling moments. It wasn’t just about speed, endurance, or breaking personal records on Strava—it was about an unexpected connection on the road that reminded me why I love cycling.
The Ride That Led to a Memorable Stop
The sun was high, the road stretched ahead, and I was in my element—pedaling at a steady pace, feeling the wind rush past my face. Every turn of the crank felt powerful, every gear shift smooth. I was locked into my rhythm, chasing the thrill of speed.
Then came the red light. A momentary pause.
As I rolled to a stop at the traffic light, I found myself surrounded—not by fellow cyclists, but by motorbike riders. Before the traffic light, they ovoertook me while reving their engines and I sped to catch up with them, not knowing what that action would bring.Their engines idled in a steady hum, contrasting with the silence of my bike. For a second, it felt like two different worlds colliding—one powered by fuel, the other by sheer leg strength.
The Perfect Line-Up
I adjusted my helmet, turned to my right, then to my left—and that’s when I noticed it. Our heads were aligned in a perfect row, like racers waiting for the signal to launch. It was unplanned, yet strangely synchronized. The way our helmets and bikes formed a line made it feel like we were equals in that moment, no matter the horsepower difference. I gave the closest one to me a thumbs up and he smiled and noded his head.
I couldn’t resist. I reached for my phone and snapped a selfie.
In that frozen frame, I saw more than just a cyclist among motorbikes. I saw a moment of unity, of shared road presence. We were all riders, after all—moving forward on two wheels, navigating the streets, experiencing the road in our own unique ways.
A Wish to Ride Again
That brief stop was more than just waiting for a green light. It was a moment of connection, of respect between different kinds of riders. And honestly? I’d love to meet those guys again. Maybe next time, we don’t just stop at a red light—we ride together.
To the motorbike riders I met that day, if you ever see this—hit me up! The road is always better when shared.
For that reason, I will share this content on other social media platforms; X, Instagram and Facebook.
Details about this ride on #strava
https://strava.app.link/rBfjFvEGwRb
