Coutry Views: Starting Down The Long Road

Escape Route: Sergeant Road Trail

 It had been awhile since I had been out in the country again. Everything that has been going on since our son's death has been eating into time I'd take to ride. And anyway, I felt it would have been incredibly selfish of me to not spend the bereavement time off my wife had with her. Not to mention my daughter.

So, I was okay with just getting a few short urban rides in and with my riding to work three days a week. But on Saturday, my wife could feel that I needed to ride again, and so on Sunday afternoon I dared to take a short ride out into the country. 

Also, it was very hot. I saw it reached 92°F and with the humidity it felt like something in the low 100's. The strong Southeast wind took a bit of the edge off, unless you were going South or East up a hill. Then it was terribly hot! It probably didn't help that I was riding a single speed. But I was, and the Honeman Flyer has endeared itself to me to the point which I find it hard to choose another of my bicycles.

 

The heat was brutal. I tried to take it easy on the front end of the ride so I would maybe keep the kettle from boiling over. I was probably on the right track, but when I reached the "usual rest stop" on Aker Road, I stood and contemplated my options. Since I was pretty overheated already by this point I made the choice to cut back over to Washburn Road and head back toward town. 

Besides, this wasn't about making big miles, training for an event, or evaluating a component. This was for me. I needed to process some feelings and think through some stuff. This ride provided just enough solitude to get me to that place where I can do those things. 

Then there was a storm brewing in the West which began to concern me. By the time I was getting close to town again I could hear the distant rumble of thunder. I stopped for a minute or two in the shade of a tree and checked the radar. Yep! Headed straight for me. 

So, it was good that I had decided to head back when I did. And yes- I beat the rain handily. I think I got one drop on me right as I turned the corner to the house. Fifteen minutes later it was pouring rain.

I was glad I was able to get the ride in. It is only the beginning. The first of many rides I am sure I will need to take in the future to think some stuff through. I know I am very blessed to be able to ride a bicycle and do these things.