I had the most beautiful ride today that happened a bit after some whining. I had planned to do the A ride and get my arse handed to me but I thought I wanted to do a great workout. I had a cue sheet from doing the ride years ago so I was prepared to get dropped. Stanford gave me the "honey, why don't you ride to Christiana and feed us? You would have a tailwind and all." Grrr. When I am set with a plan, I don't like to change it. Those of you that know me, that's how I roll. But once I work though it, I can change.
So I googled what roads to use and since I was running late, I needed to ride one of the busier roads. The route was probably a little over 25 miles (a lot less than 37 hard, steady miles with the club ride) and slow. I enjoyed the scenery; looking around at the cows, chickens, property auctions, the Amish, etc. Everyone including the animals said hello and smiled back. The humidity had not kicked in yet and the farmlands of Lancaster County were lush green. There were tourists on bikes taking pictures of albino deer, vans of tourists visiting Mascot Roller Mills, others bused in buying fresh pies, soft pretzels, eggs and miniature horses. I rode roads that I had not ventured on yet and even though they rolled up, they were the most beautiful.
Route 772 (east) was the busy road I traveled on to get to Christiana and it had a decent shoulder. I turned on Hensel Road and it was breathtaking. As I rolled up the hill looking at someone's colorful flowers, I turned around and saw their fabulous view of Lancaster County. The other beautiful roads were Hoover and Smyrna Roads. The tourists were out in full force today and I was reminded why. Even I was one of the sights as a guide pointed me out as I passed their "buggy".
The other plus was that I got to be with me. I know, painful, isn't it? (Yes, quiet time can surely be painful, especially with one's self.) As I was talking to the animals and Amish, I also worked through some of my stuff. Or at least acknowledged "my stuff", reminded myself to love and be loved, how precious life is and it's worth the fight (whatever your vice or illness), and that riding a bike can just be enough sometimes. It is great to clear the head and just be ... with you and me.
