Still Chasing a Dream

Recently I was inspired by something I didn’t know still existed. Two weeks ago, I received an email inviting me to take part in the 37th Annual Georgia State Games cycling division. They scheduled two of the three races on one of my training routes here in Calhoun.

Immediately, I thought of John Wooden. “When opportunity knocks, it’s too late to prepare.” Full disclosure: I’m currently in the worst shape of my life—as far from race-ready as the east is from the west. It’s been ten years since I last raced, but the invitation stirred something in me. I started imagining what it would be like to race again, if only to compare 2026 Joy to 2016 Joy . . . or maybe even 1990 Joy. Then reality hit.

These days my feet and knees won’t even let me ride every day, much less train with the intensity I would need to hold my own against women half my age. Even if by some miracle I got new feet and new knees, it’s time to accept that my racing days are over.

Nevertheless, I rode out to support the sport I love. I talked with the race coordinator, Eric, and told him I remembered racing in the Games in 1990. If memory serves me correctly, I won a medal. According to Eric—and the T-shirt he designed—that was the first year of the Georgia Games.

Standing at the finish line last week, cheering for those riders, I realized something. Maybe the dream isn’t as much about racing again as it is about chasing a dream.

What dreams are you chasing? Are any still within reach if you start preparing today?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to head out for a training ride. I may not be in racing shape, but I’m still chasing my dream of riding in all fifty states.

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

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Joy M. Walker