Angels

I was drained and spent as I pedaled the final five kilometers of a long bike ride last Saturday. I had just gotten out of a hairy set of downhills behind a large truck that had braked hard on all of them, which meant my arms and shoulders were extra tired from braking, too. While I had started out with a group, I had gotten left behind as the only girl. The road was starting to fill up with motorists who weren’t willing to give way to a cyclist, much less a female cyclist. I had even stopped by the gravel shoulder once to allow an election motorcade to pass.

A few minutes after getting back on the bike, I noticed a skinny teenage boy drafting behind me. I tried to keep the pace, but after a while I signaled for him to overtake me. Instead, he rode up alongside me and started chatting with me. Small talk, really, like was I a triathlete, where did I ride out from, did I know the head of their local cycling group?

I was glad for the company because it kept me alert; also, with him riding beside me, motorists had to give way to us. Then he told me, “Buti malakas loob mo. Kasi may nagnanakaw ng bisikleta dito.

I didn’t even get to ask his name as we parted ways. I could only imagine what kind of target I had painted on my back before he’d come along. A lone female cyclist on a lonely country road. *shudder*

But it got me thinking about all those other times during training or racing: I would be in direst need of motivation when suddenly a kindly person comes up beside me, strikes up a conversation, offers to pace me, and lightens the mental load. Or the two marathons I’ve run: cramping on the last three kilometers I encountered a friend who paced me to the finish (Ronnel Go and Jay Em, thank you again). I like to think of them as guardian angels of sorts.

I’m reminded to be grateful for everyone who takes the time and effort to help, whether they’re a friend or a stranger. I’m reminded that sport is about community and that we must look out for and uplift one another.

Will you be someone’s angel today?

About Noelle De Guzman

Noelle De Guzman is a freelance writer and recreational athlete with over 12 years of experience in fitness and endurance sport. She believes sport and an active healthy lifestyle changes lives.

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