Getting Back Up on the Bike

I was sick for over a week - like everyone else it seems, including the contestants on American Idol (that's how bad I felt). I had a hard time functioning at all, so I didn't get out on my bike for almost two weeks [gulp]. Plus, I couldn't make it on the last two Saturday team rides anyway due to coaching volleyball games. So I've felt disconnected and behind; therefore igniting my first feelings of resistance to getting on my bike. It feels a little too soon in the game to already feel that way. Luckily, our coach, Russ, is on my fridge telling me to ride my bike - which reminds me both of the good people involved (probably not waiting to scold me, as I fear) and the reasons bigger than myself for doing all this.

I got out of the house by allowing myself to pop my bike on top of Ruby Sue and drive to the Burke Gilman Trail rather than face the embarrassingly small hill between my house and the trail. I needed to get in 35ish miles, so I decided to head from the BGT to Alki then Lincoln Park via the waterfront and the Spokane Street bridge. My knees complained at first and I was slower than I'd like, but I put This American Life and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me podcasts in one ear (just one ear, I promise - we can talk about earphones and bike safety later) and, as usual, I eventually got into a groove. I definitely have an endurance body - I finally really get going after about 9-10 miles. And pretty soon I was slightly embarrassed for laughing out loud to myself, but feeling good about life again. I swear cycling has a direct effect on my brain chemistry.

The only real adventure came in the form of a brief thunderstorm where I was pelted with freezing rain while being able to see blue sky everywhere else around the city - feeling like that cartoon where the little cloud followed the guy around... and I re-learned the lesson that I should always take one more layer than it looks like I'll need for any outdoor adventure. If the weather turns at all, everything can change.

Then almost back to the car, I spotted by my most recent boyfriend for the first time since we broke up, and he was walking with a woman I didn't recognize. Surprisingly, I had an delightfully peaceful and content reaction... maybe there are all kinds of healing possible through riding a bike.