Its that time of year when cycling enthusiasts to take to the roads, bike paths and mountain trails to enjoy the thrill of pedaling along in unbridled freedom. Think about that statement for a moment.

Where does mankind enjoy freedom the most? In the broader sense, its in creativity, self-motivation and accomplishment. I love to write about the enjoyment I get from skiing, cycling, hiking because those are activities that bring joy to my heart.

But, what is it about any activity, which makes you happy, that keeps you coming back for more? It would seem to me, it is the childlike sense of accomplishment.

Take a moment, and think back to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when you were with a group of friends on a warm summer day and everyone rode bikes. The freedom from parental supervision, the joy of going fast down an alley, or jumping over a pile of dirt brought squeals of delight.

But, most of all, it was the excitement of getting good at something you could do physically, and the more you did it, the better you got.

I grew up when the brake was part of the pedals, and I loved to turn a corner, step down on the brakes and make the rear wheel slide sideways around the turn; youd then let off and pedal for all you were worth to keep up the momentum.

By now, you've probably picked up on the fact that these were dirt roads in a rural town in the 50s, and the bikes were all Schwinn's with fenders, one speed, probably had a bell to ring or playing cards in the spokes. The girls had streamers at the ends of the handlebars, but the guys never did.

Wed race around town in mock Tours de France, dogs running alongside, their tongues hanging out, ears flopping and eyes wild with excitement.

Of course, when we tired, it was off to the local store for a Popsicle or can of soda, if we had .10 cents.

Freedom is often childlike. We adults could learn a lot from children sometimes; tear down the barriers of stoic maturity and let loose with some real unadulterated fun.

I train for my bike races with a buddy named Jeff, and he never quite knows when it will happen, but he knows that during our rides, at some point in time, I will break out into a terribly off-key version of O Sol O'meo which I think is from The Barber of Seville.

I cant help it, the endorphins take over, joy spills out and the words to the opera (what few of them I know) burst into the air, startling motorists and pedestrians alike. Im generally grinning from ear to ear, totally out of breath and completely in the moment, the joyous, present, moment.

Children live almost always in the moment. The past is what happened ten minutes ago and most likely already forgotten; the future might make it into the weekend when they get to visit Grandma or go the zoo.

Adults, on the other hand, are far too busy to grasp the present and enjoy it for what its worth; our minds are too full of junk. Junk about the argument with our spouse this morning, the creep who cut us off in traffic yesterday still lingers, and, how on earth are we going to get little Suzy into that expensive pre-school which will most certainly define her future.

The solution is to be creative in some way that you dont normally do. Expand your circle of activities to something, which used to bring you much joy that you done in a long time. Or, try that one thing youve always wanted to do, butIf at all possible, do something physically active, so you get the blood moving, the muscles warmed up and the endorphins flowing. Then, don't forget to laugh and have fun, let go, be in the moment, be a kid again; your kids will wonder what happened, but be ever so glad it did.

In the end, its just one mans opinionmine.

Keith Renninson

Keith E. Renninson is a native of Colorado. After a tour of duty in Viet Nam, he returned home and spent 30 years as a financial planner and insurance agent. He was a two-term President of the Mile-Hi Association of Life Underwriters and four-term President of the Kipling Sun Homeowners Association. He is the Chairman of the 2006 Tour de Cure bicycle ride for the American Diabetes Association in Colorado. Keith is also the current Vice-President of COBRAS (Colorado Organization of Bicycle Racing Seniors).

In 1995, he self-published his first book, ?The Pain & Joy of Love: A Collection of Poetry, Black and White Photography and Short Stories.? In 2003, Keith was the Editor of the Arapahoe Community College Art and Literary Magazine ?The Progenitor,? and in 2004-2005 the Editor of the Arapahoe Observer newspaper.

During eight years of the 1990's, Keith wrote his column, "Philosophically Speaking" for the Downtown Denver News.

In August 2004, Keith's essay "Compassion at Death's Door" was published by The American Legion Magazine and received worldwide acclaim.

When neighbor Michael Conrad Kelley offered they work together on his manuscript ?Zooch the Pooch,? Keith was excited and honored to be involved in such a worthy project. An illustrated children's book and parenting tool, Zooch was published in November of 2005 and is available on their website or at Amazon.com.

Mike and Keith are also professional speakers presenting their inspirational talk & seminar "Seven Simple Steps to a More Fulfilling Life." They can be contacted directly for radio, TV and print interviews.

In December 2006, one of Keith's latest essays, "To Achieve Clarity in Life Make Meditation Part of Your Day" will appear in a new book "101 Ways to Improve Your Life" alongside notable authors such as Mark Victor Hansen of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" fame.

Keith formed Golden Years Videos, LLC with business partner Jeff Forman which produces exercise videos for senior citizens, and those unable to perform standing exercises. Always the exercise enthusiast Keith, wanted to provide a series of videos which would assist those in need of conditioning. You can see more about this at the Golden Years Videos website listed above.

In his leisure time, Keith studies philosophy, competes in American Cycling Association bicycle races around Colorado, loves to downhill ski, practices yoga, writes and climbs the Fourteener?s of Colorado?s Rockies.