Tire tracks are like the path of life. They run through smooth sections of trail, over roots, rocks, through water, up mountains, and down hills.

The occasional smooth section of trail can be a welcome break. It is the opportunity to go faster with less effort, and we can reach for some water or food and allow the lungs to rest up a bit. However, smooth trail can be overdone. After a while, it becomes monotonous and sucks all joy and happiness out of us. It is no longer exciting. It is not rest, but work. It turns into a mental struggle.

Life can be the same way. Think about what it is like to start a new job. It is a bit overwhelming, at first, but it is soon followed by a comfort zone that is brought about by experience and confidence. Fast forward six months, or maybe even a year, and that new job becomes repetitive and boring. Many things in life are like this. Just like the smooth trail, life needs a few little bumps thrown in here and there to keep it interesting.

Enter roots and rocks. I love roots and rocks. They force my perception of riding to change. Suddenly, my mind is sharpened and my eyes are focused. If I miss something, I go flying through the air. I haven’t always liked roots and rocks, and saw them as a challenge beyond my skill level, so I decided to meet that challenge and up my skill level so I could conquer these little trail obstacles.

Life has its roots and rocks, as well. There are challenges that we accept, and we find that our lives improve when we meet those challenges. College is a great example. It isn’t a requirement, but it is certainly necessary for many professions. It can be a great struggle, but the lessons taught are often quite beneficial when they become lessons learned, and they can add to the enjoyment of our lives.

On a grand scale, life is like ascending and descending a mountain. There are always going to be long, grueling, uphill climbs, but they are often rewarded with fun, fast descents. No matter what, we simply need to remind ourselves to keep pedaling.