I had a 50 mile bike ride on the schedule for Sunday, but Saturday is bringing a wintery mix and Sunday it's not supposed to get above freezing. Today was supposed to be in the mid-40s and sunny so I moved the ride today. Despite the forecast, it stayed in the 30's and I never saw the sun even attempt peek through the thick cloud cover.
I can just now move my previously frozen fingers and type again. It was the first time I ever saw my breath on a ride. Still it was worth it to ride outside - there are sights, sounds, and things I think about that can only happen on a bike. You know what I'm talking about. Don't you sometimes wish you had a way to capture those moments? A way to share them with others? Just from today:
- Pedaling up (and under) the railroad bridge/tunnel at the exact moment a train was coming and waving to the conductor and having him wave back.
- Clif Bar in holiday Gingerbread flavor munched along the way and the yummiest orange ever enjoyed 30 miles in.
- Wreaths on tiny white country churches, farm fences and gates.
- Riding by the little quirky Catawba Country store that was saved from closure not too long ago.
- Watching beautiful blanketed horses pirouette and gallop off at the sight of the bike (I think they just wanted the excuse).
- Herds of cattle standing at the fence line calmly watching me pass.
- The sound of wind in my ears - like a jet engine at times.
- Farmers moving round bales to hungry critters.
- The smell of livestock/poo/hay that as a former horse-girl I actually quite like.
- The truck and horse trailer driver that let the car ahead of me cross the one-lane bridge but then made me slam on the brakes as he went over (nice!).
- The exchange of the subtle handwave with the motorcyclists and the head nod granted to the drivers who give the little steering wheel knuckle wave.
 |
| Next time I'm stuffing more of these in my pockets |
 |
| This is where I waved to the train conductor, obviously not in winter. I didn't take this pic. |
 |
| It is simply gorgeous around here - those snowy mountains and trees that look like fur! |
I noticed a few recurrent themes -- waving, food, and animals. There's probably some kind of twisted psychological explanation and I'm sure I don't want to know it. Lol.
Even several years into this sport, I still sometimes can't believe the stuff I "get" to do and experience in the course of regular training. It continues to feel very new. Every swim/bike/run is accompanied by a sense of gratitude...and a degree of playfulness. I hope that never changes.
