“Why I Ride”- Luke Hall
Luke Hall lives in Bentonville, AR and is an intricate part of the bike culture and scene in NW Arkansas. Luke recently completed the ~1,200 mile AR High Country Gravel Race and is the coach of the world’s first high school gravel racing team, the Thaden Barnstormers. Luke is a designer by profession and works closely with clients on web design, brand and corporate aesthetic.
“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, British author
For me, bicycles were a catalyst for change in my life. In high school, college, and as an amateur athlete, I identified as a runner. One winter, while on my way to being in the best shape of my life, I eagerly overtrained and stress fractured my outside metatarsal. I had become this Coloradan Running Monk, whose ritual was holy and sacred. When that temple crumbled, I turned to the worst parts of myself to drown out my frustration. For seven years, I abused drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Deep down, I know that I felt a longing for that structure and ritual that made me feel whole in Colorado.
When I found the bike, I was in a toxic, possessive relationship that I didn’t feel confident to escape. I bought a $150 1988 red Schwinn Circuit and she was beautiful. I consistently went to the weekly group ride a couple of blocks from our house and began to realize the ultimate vehicle of freedom. That same feeling I experienced riding around country roads as a teenager on my MTB, was having a revival in my late 20s. That bike gave me a sense of purpose and structure again. Ultimately, it gave me my confidence back to fight my demons.One of the most beautiful features of a bike is that everyone’s experience is so different. But, a lot of the same themes seem to resonate--a feeling of being trapped, followed by the freedom of a bicycle. Sometimes, it’s simply being trapped in traffic for too long. Sometimes, it’s feeling trapped by unhealthy habits. Sometimes, it’s just being trapped by stagnant surroundings. What I’ve learned is that bikes are so much more than that initial experience.
Now, I know riding a bike is my favorite way to explore a new area. And when I start my workday with commuting by bike, I am more relaxed and focused throughout the day. When I am feeling stressed or anxious, a short bike ride with fresh air is a sure way to clear my head. But, one of my favorite things about riding a bike is the community that surrounds the vehicle. From Commuter Clubs to Strider programs, there is something for literally everyone. Get involved and I promise you won’t regret it.