Sunday, April 22, 2007

Notes from the Road

I FINALLY got to spend some time in the saddle, riding my bike in warm weather and sunshine. I went out for an hour and a half on Saturday and another hour and ten today. All in all, I covered a little over 44 miles with 1700 feet of climbing. Fol owing, some observations:

It might be tempting when you come up to a station wagon and there is a kid in the back to wave or make a goofy face. But then you realize his parents are listening to Slayer...backwards...and you think better of it.

If you're a nurses with a shock of bright red curly hair, you should not wear polka dotted tunics...unless you work for Ringling Brothers.

I can deal with a headwind. But, when you deal with a headwind for half a ride, it is patently unfair for said wind to reverse direction at about the same time you do. It just is.

If the Spanish Inquisition had wanted to be successful, they would have given the Infidels bicycles and sent them out to attack hills. Think about it: you think it's pleasure, but it quickly turns to pain, you start talking to God, and if the hill is big enough, eventually you see Him.

In all honesty, I spent some good time with Him on these rides. On god rides, there comes a point where everything is clicking and your mind is free. I often turn my mind in those moments to God.

I saw a guy riding a Victory today. I caught up with him at the light (I'm not sure he was that happy about it) and told him I liked his bike. We chit-chatted for a bit and then he said he didn't think his bike was heavy enough to trip the light sensor. I showed him where to stop his light, on the sensors, and explained that they are magnetic. I don't think he got it. I wished him well and we went our separate ways.

I saw a guy with a Got the Nerve? t-shirt and told him I was going again this year. He said he hoped to seem me there.


The Susquehanna River is really quite beautiful. It's a little high and muddy right now, but it's a nice place to ride.

It's a bad idea to forget a water bottle. ALWAYS.

I still love my Cannondale!

2 comments:

Redlefty said...

"On god rides, there comes a point where everything is clicking and your mind is free."

Would like to hear more about that feeling sometime. Congrats on getting out there!

Lieutenant Dan said...

Sounds like you had a most excellent ride !

Dont worry about the Victory rider - those guys are usually smarter than the average bear. Sooner or later he will learn of the magnet magic - lining the frame of your scooter with heavy duty magnets (on the lowest part) will help disrupt the magentic field and trip the lights...however, this will only work if you place your scooter within the magnetic field.

Keep-on rid'n bro !