I’m thankful that I’m cycling. It’s Thanksgiving day, and I knew there was a ride this morning. All week, I plotted and planned so I would have enough of my work done to go cycle for 3 hours this morning. By 8:00 am, the turkey was in the oven, the pies made, the rolls rising, the green beans were in the crockpot and the house was full of snoring adult children.
At Hanover Courthouse, there were about 10 of us who showed up to pre-burn our Thanksgiving calories with a 41 mile bike ride. There was a B+ pace group, and a B pace group. I chose to ride with the B pacegroup. I had been wanting to ride with Ron Corio for a while, and today was a good day to do that.
The ride went up Bleak Hill, and onto 301, through Frog Level and around to a lovely mill pond (they seem to be in abundance in Hanover) then back by way of several short but steep hills. It was a great ride, and Ron is a very good pace-setter. Hoping to ride it in 3 hours, to get back and put the rolls in the oven, I probably pushed it a little, but we returned to our parking spot 3 hours and 5 minutes after we began. Perfect;0)
This could become a favorite fitness ride, but it’s a little far for me to bestow that ‘award’ on it. By car, it takes 60 minutes in traffic to get there from my house, and 45 on a day with no traffic. I hate to burn that kind of gas to get to a ride on my bike. Once I return from my Paterna tour, I think I’ll petition the club to concentrate on creating or generating leaders by geography, to provide daily rides at various levels of skill, in various parts of the metro area. The objective, to get folks cycling for fitness and recreation in such a way as to conserve fuel, and foster stronger communities of cycling support. Just a thought.
Yesterday, I Barry Pullen helped me by putting my SPD clipless pedals on Cele, the Bianchi. It was my first ride with clipless pedals in months, and yes, I had the proverbial fall. I bruised my palm, but other than that, I’m fine. Cycled 27 miles in the am, and 21 in the pm, for 48 miles on Wed. Today I got 41. None tomorrow, due to teaching commitments, but hope to ride on Sat. with Bill Britton. Looking for about 60-65 miles on Saturday. Then Sunday, hiking or biking with friends at Pocahontas state park.
My friend, Steve, has posted cycling related blessings that he is thankful for, and I like the idea. So today, please indulge me, as I tell you how blessed I am.
My cycling blessings:
1. RABA – my cycling club is full of fun, nurturing, cyclists who support and encourage one another, and all people interested in cycling. It’s about the only group I’ve been a part of where you can count on every word coming from someone’s mouth being kind, and encouraging. Never gossip, bad-mouthing, innuendo, just good, child-like fun and fitness. Hooray!
2. My Bianchi – a gift from a very intuitive friend. (I’m sure it goes without saying, but I’m more thankful for the friend, than the bike, but today, I’m counting the cycling blessings). This bike feels like an extension of my own legs. It’s light, by my standards, durable, smooth, beautiful, and mine.
3. My Surly LHT- A wonderful bike that rides very smoothly, and on which I’m very comfortably mounted.
4. My Brooks saddle.
5. Virginia, a state that has many multi-use paths to encourage it’s residents to get healthy physically and mentally through outdoor activity. And the counties surrounding and including my own, who support bike/pedestrian initiatives that help me remain safe on the roads.
6. Like Steve, I’m thankful for a loving, supportive spouse. My husband has been married to me thick, and thin, and he prefers me thin and physically fit. He supports my efforts to continue to lose weight, and to maintain a very positive mental attitude through a healthy lifestyle. For that, I’m immensely thankful for your support, and for your company on my rides, and hikes and walks. I’m especially thankful for your company on that longest of walks, the walk through life.
Go make your own breeze, and remember: If you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear;0)
Very nice, Spokie! I should’ve gone on a ride, but spent the day indoors with family. Maybe this weekend!