My New Toy is Making Me Happy II

Hey guys, do you remember this Steemit post from 8 years ago?

My New Toy is Making Me Happy!

Well… guess what? It’s happening again. 😎

I’ve been a little quiet because I’ve been busy - with a very new toy.

When I left the island years ago, I sold my cheap old mountain bike. It was emotional. That bike carried me to the beach, down dusty roads, and gave me the confidence to bomb downhills like I actually knew what I was doing. I missed that freedom for years.

Fast forward to now: new job, better schedule, better pay and finally the ability to afford a higher-end mountain bike. So I bought one. And it is worth every single cent.

After my last burnout, I learned the hard way not to make work my entire identity. That was painful. I needed something outside of work. Something physical. Something mine.

I gave up billiards too. Distance to the pool hall plus one creepy encounter kind of killed the vibe. I still miss it though. One day, when I have a bigger space, I’m getting my own pool table in my brutalist doom bunker. Mark my words. I live for my hobbies.

But this? This is different.

I love adrenaline. I wanted something physical. Aggressive. I want to shred muwahaha.

Okay, calm down. I’m still a beginner. But I’ll get there. 😂

The goal? Twenty years from now, 60+ and still shredding. That’s the vision. 😎

The retailer had to order my sweet Trek Marlin 7 from the US because local stock was tragic. I paid a hefty shipping fee, but listen I am NOT riding an ugly mint or lavender bike. If I don’t like the style, I won’t ride it. What’s the point? Mine is minimalist black and white. Clean. Sharp. It turns heads. I’ve never felt this proud of a purchase.

But let me humble myself for a second.

The first two months? I felt weak. I live on the second floor and had to haul this heavy beast upstairs every ride. I remember thinking, “How am I going to do this every single time?”

Four months later? I lift it like it’s nothing.

Turns out I was just recovering from couch life. Turns out you can actually train yourself to get stronger. Being active really is the best anti-aging hack. Who knew? (Okay, everyone knew.)

Now I’m hitting the trails. Green lines only, relax guys! Don’t expect some Red Bull Rampage madness here. I’m practicing rollers, skinnies, rollable drops, and easing into some gnarly local trails. Fully geared up. Helmet, pads, the works. I haven’t crashed and I don’t plan to. Ever.

I’m not here to break bones. I’m here to ride, breathe, and be present.

Honestly, the main reason I bought a mountain bike is simple: solitude. Nature. No pesky trail guides. No small talk. Just me, dirt, trees, and gravity. Yes, that usual diabolical trait - escaping people. Always consistent.

The downhill adrenaline? It makes me ridiculously happy.

Here I am, turning 43 soon, still shredding (green trails, but still counts). And this time, I’m not losing myself to work again.

Live your life folks!

🖤
Dia