I had my first ride back today. It went something like this..
Legs and other major skeletal muscle groups: Rested. Red hot and rearing to go.
Lungs: Sketchy at first, however warmed to the whole Idea. I threw up a little bit into my mouth about 15 minutes into first climb.
Mind: After said vomiting into my mouth a tad undecided,however soon got into it.
It was an incredible ride for three reasons, first..It wasn't raining, it was on and off road, and the part of it that was off road was wet in a satisfying "kid cooped up in a house for a while jumping in puddles kind of way".It's got some slimy natural cobble-like rocks, and I just pretend that I'm on a 'cross bike or doing part of Paris-Roubaix. It's imagination-tastic!!! The on road part of the ride was dry, I saw some beautiful native bush, and got to look at some beautiful cottages in said beautiful native bush. It had hills, of the large up and down kind.. I got muddy, got some Kms in...what more could a man want??
Second. This album on the headphones. I had the honour of being the bass player in a band that headlined one of the last A LOW HUM with CUT OFF YOUR HANDS and the Stunning, Psychedelic Pirate Train Wreck Git Down Explosion that is THOUGHT CREATURE. It was a fucking magic time, and both these bands are jam packed with incredible people and are amazing for seemingly disparate reasons, anyhoo...I picked up Louden Up Now in Nelson* (top of the South Island) It was residing in the bargain bin...I was thrilled. But I digress.... I love this album, It's a trigger to thinking of good times. It was a treat to let the mind wander over those memories that have been shut away for a while now..
Thirdly, I had a perfect moment, watching a four year old on a bike on the fire road/trail riding through every puddle he could find, in absolute raptures. we locked eyes as I rode past, I smiled and thought "Yeah man..I Know EXACTLY how you feel..and yes. You never have to stop having that much fun.Doing what you're doing pretty much always feels that great and furthermore, Lots of us grown ups still do exactly what you're doing now". Yet another moment that cements my love of riding bikes and those that ride them.
I am just about four weeks shy of my first winter series ride, and feel like things are hopefully going swimmingly for a mid pack finish. Which may seem under selling myself to some of you, but seems to me like a perfectly good place to start.
*Nelson, It's a beautiful place. It really is. It's a place of firsts for me. First (and only)time a girl has ever invited my to another island so she can break up with me in the bedroom she grew up in after a Swedish wedding and then invite me to go kayaking the next day. First time I've been offered pot in the street by a pensioner. And first time I've been accused of stealing a scarf that was mine in a salvation army op shop. Heady memories. Just heady.
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