Nothing goes together in Eugene as well as bikes and beer. We are surrounded by both.

This was not the post I was expecting to share today. I stayed up late last night until after midnight working on my first “official” post, but I forgot my memory stick at home when I went across the street to eat dinner and use the wifi at the Falling Sky Deli. Oh well. The good news is that I am slowly (oh, so incredibly slowly) learning how to actually create and design my very first blog! Witness my achievement by checking out my About Me link. I must admit I am quite proud of myself.

I realize none of this has much to do with diabetes, but, if it wasn’t for the fact that I am living with diabetes, this blog would not even exist. So, I guess the question is why have I  chosen to write about bikes and beer? The answer is fairly simple: I LOVE BIKES AND BEER….equally. And Eugene has an endless supply of opportunity for experiencing both…equally.

I happen to live in the Whiteaker neighborhood, which has in recent years become known for the collection of amazing breweries located in the heart of Eugene: Falling Sky, Oakshire, Hop Valley, and Ninkasi to name the best. Because I happen to live across the street from Falling Sky, I am even lucky enough to be a member of the pub’s coed indoor soccer team (soccer being my third love in life after bikes and brews).

Again, I am sure some of you (who have actually found my blog and stayed long enough to read this far) are asking: What does this have to do with diabetes?!?

I assure you the answer is nothing. Except…if my pancreas were not broken beyond repair…I would probably be riding my bike, drinking my beer, and playing my soccer games without sharing stories of such on the internet. I guess the most amazing part of living with diabetes is the fact that I haven’t allowed it the chance to stop me from riding my bike, drinking my beers, or playing an awesome game of soccer every week. Ever since my diagnosis, my biggest goal in life has been to keep BOTH my feet–no matter what it takes!

Granted, drinking beer doesn’t do much to help me succeed at keeping my feet attached to my legs, but the pedaling and running involved are certainly not deterring me from accomplishing my goal.

 

Eugene offers the chance to spend your days traveling on two wheels to various brew pubs around town. In the industrial section of West Eugene, one can ride to Viking Braggot (who mixes mead with their beer) and Claim 52. Near the U of O campus on the eastside of Eugene is the Elkhorn Brewery, Sam Bond’s Brewery, and McMeniman’s East 19th Cafe. Coldfire Brewery and Steelhead/McKenzie Brewery are close to the Willamette River and Spencer’s Butte, while one can also spend a long ride touring the countryside near Coburg and head out to Agrarian Ales.

We love beer in Eugene. And we love riding our bikes to go drink our beer. It’s a way of life that we have perfected into an art form. It is a lifestyle that I am proud to claim for myself. Diabetes won’t stop me from living the life I want to live. It may add a few new parameters that I may not appreciate, but in the long run I think it simply makes me more amazing. It makes me aware of the fact that everyday is special. Not because I happen to live in a community that values sustainability and hops as much as I do, but because I am ALIVE enough to realize how special everyday is. Without diabetes controlling my every moment, I wouldn’t have the awareness to realize how special my moments are.