Nothing To Lose

I was on a bike trip with my husband in the Italian Dolomites. We had been climbing altitude all day long leading up to the mother of all switchback mountain climbs: the notorious and glorious Passo dello Stelvio. Forty–two turns and 2757 meters of climbing, it’s the highest pass in Italy. We rested about half way up which was rare for us on big climbs, but the breathtaking panorama and magnitude of the effort demanded a few moments of silence with our Maker. When we reached the summit, screaming muscles and ragged breath were quickly replaced by hearty pats on the back and hugs of congratulation. There was a major party going on: sun soaked snow and sparkling crowds of motorcyclists and bicyclists all drinking in the altitude, the wine, and the camaraderie– communing at one of life’s nexus points. We celebrated with a traditional sausage sandwich and a coke; I felt like one of the beautiful people.

Then it was time to go. We bundled up in windbreakers and full–fingered gloves, shifted our gears into the big chain ring. Screaming down the harrowing descent of the Stelvio–  40 miles per hour with twists, tight turns, oncoming cars, and monuments to the dead– I had everything to lose, yet I did it anyway, as if I had nothing to lose. I went as fast as fast as I could go, risking everything. I’ve never felt more alive.

Kim Dannies ©2008