Today wasn’t the worst winter ride that I’ve done thus far, and that’s by a long shot, but it was hard for me nonetheless. I can’t be certain why today’s ride was harder than any of the other rides that I’ve done this winter. It wasn't the coldest, and it wasn’t the wettest. It wasn’t the hardest, nor was it the longest. I think that I’m quite fatigued in ways that one only knows after embarking on an effort like R2R. Please don’t think that I’m complaining, because this is a journey that I committed myself to; instead know that I’m simply sharing my thoughts along the way.
So yes, today was a tough one for me, and I know for certain that it won’t be the last. The weather forecast for next week looks like I’ll be in for a wild ride. Literally. I do worry every now and again about lightening strikes. There were forecasts for strikes today, so I tried to ride before they were forecasted to hit. I guess that there are any number of things that could go wrong on any one of my solo rides during bad weather. Today there wasn’t a single person on the mountain. Not one tire track, or shoe print. It was pretty lonely out there, and maybe that’s why it was so hard for me to ride today. Loneliness is something that I've been trying to avoid.All of that said, I’d like to ask the Gods to send me one sunny and warm day during which I can ride this winter. I’d like to rest for a while at the West Point Inn while soaking in the sun and enjoying the views, and the laughter of others that are doing the same as me. I miss those days and they seem so far away now.
I had no expectations for R2R, at least none that were rooted in experience when I started my rides. Now knowing just how hard this is, I wish that someone had published a guide book that would have warned me against such foolishness. ;-)
As I’m writing this posting, I’m reminding myself about what I’ve endured during the past decade. I guess that I should feel lucky to have made it this far, and to be able to get onto a bike so that I can take another ride up the mountain. I should be grateful that I can make it out the door and onto one of my trustee steeds. I know that somewhere in my writings I’ve said that it’s sometimes hard to see the forest for the trees. Today was one of those days for me.
I look forward to the spring, and beyond to the next year. I long for fun, friends, love and laughter. Travel too, and the nicer half of life’s experiences. Our economy has wrecked so many people’s lives, and I hope that my family, friends, and I can see these tough times through. best wishes to all of those that read R2R. No, the photo to the left isn't mine. It's a freebie, but it sure looks good during the middle of the winter.
Distance: 17.52 miles
Calories burned: 1,370
Time: 1:47:27 hours
Elevation gain: 2,003 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22237899
0 comments:
Post a Comment