On Bike Upgrades and Broader Horizons

Those who have been reading my Sidecar Stories over the years have heard about my pistachio green omafiets bike that has been central to my life in The Netherlands. She’s simple (no gears), sturdy, and easy on the eyes. I’ve gotten safely to appointments and run errands in all kinds of weather thanks to her sensibly thick tires; carried groceries, my gym bag, and improbably large and bulky items like lumber and chairs in her solid wooden basket; and explored cobblestone streets and leafy country lanes perched on her comfy worn leather seat. She has served me faithfully, well, and in style. I’ve nicknamed her “The Chariot.”

Now that I no longer live in the cozy environs of Leiden and find myself spending more time in the southern reaches of The Hague, home of my wonderful companion Glenn, the charms of The Chariot have given way to her limitations. Those features that served me so well in Leiden don’t suit my current environment. I live above a shopping center and near a tram line, so errands are easily accomplished on foot or by public transit. The North Sea is a 10 minute walk; nature parks even closer. So The Chariot has been languishing in the garage, dusty with misuse, for the better part of a year.

I haven’t given her much thought during that time because I’ve been outside of The Netherlands more than I’ve been in it since last fall. Last month, though, Glenn got an offer he couldn’t refuse: the chance to get two e-bikes for the price of one. I hesitated for about half a split second, then nodded my assent. As of two weeks ago I am now the proud owner of a sky blue Van Moof e-cruiser. Oh, the thrill of the turbocharge! My first forays out have been a blast. While I challenge myself to use my own leg strength for the most part, it’s such fun to press my thumb to the accelerator button. Zoom! I’m around that sluggish omafiets in front of me within seconds. (No diss to the omafiets; that’s just not what she’s built for.) Van Moof will be a game-changer for me. She’ll give me alternatives to public transport, allow for exercise when I can refrain from pressing the turbocharge button, bring me jolts of joy when I can’t, and broaden my range of motion in a way that The Chariot just wasn’t equipped for.

I was about to get all teary about the inevitable: saying goodbye to The Chariot. Can’t justify taking up room in the garage with a bike that will get minimal use. I was going to donate her to a local thrift shop and choke out my fond farewells. Fortuitously, a neighbor inquired after her as an option for taking short errands around the neighborhood. Problem solved; tears averted. I’ll still see The Chariot around the ‘hood.

I’m calling my new cruiser Zephyr, the personification of the west wind in Greek mythology. One thing I’ve been running away from in The Netherlands is the enfuriating wind, which can discombobulate me like nobody’s business, especially when riding The Chariot. Now, though, I feel I’ll be on more equal ground when gusts arise. And when I’m not facing those gusts head on, I’ll always feel like I’ve got the wind at my back, what with the turbocharge option and all.

Just as Zephyr will broaden my horizons quite literally, I will be broadening the horizons of my Sidecar activities in this next phase. While I’ll continue to focus on women leaders in international schools as a core niche, I’ll be expanding my offerings to other adventurous souls of any gender and at any juncture who are eager to explore new possibilities for themselves. Stay tuned. Better yet, be in touch with your ideas! I’ve got big ears and a flexible sidecar.

And here are some offerings (current and in the offing) to broaden your horizons via Sidecar:

-          One-on-one coaching, any time of year, for whatever adventure is calling you. Contact me and let’s chat.

-          Sidecar FastTrack, a 4 module course designed to get you up and running in your leadership job search, available on sidecar-u.com. You’ll be on the road to new horizons in no time.

-          The Adventurous Woman’s Guide to Negotiating a Leadership Job Offer, a 3-module course that will hone your negotiation savvy so you’re set up for success in your new leadership role. Also available on sidecar-u.com. (And when you’ve finished this course, take Diana Rosberg’s Adventurous Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom to help you take best advantage of your higher compensation! Your horizons will surely be broadened.)

-          Sidecar Summit Portugal 2024, a four-day gathering with other women leaders where we’ll explore the link between happiness and success (hint: Data is now available showing that the most successful, profitable organizations have a strong focus on well-being.)

Here’s to heading off to new horizons, whether on Zephyrs, sidecars, fast tracks, foot, imagination, or any other means of acceleration.

On your side,

Bridget