Gratitude for Breezes and Bicycles

What a great day for a bike ride!
My son Spencer, friend Sara, and I rode
through Covington and on Eastside Trail yesterday.
Thank You for the bike rental, Mike Besaw at Square Bikes!

When I was little, my bike was everything I needed: it was a racehorse, a motorcycle, a ticket to wind rushing in my face and speed I could never reach on two legs.

My dad encouraged my love of cycling.  Before I could ride my own, I rode behind him on a little seat.  He and Mom rode all over town on their matching blue Schwinns.  Dad was there when I took my first wobbly ride without training wheels on the sidewalk in our backyard.  Several times a week, he still rides ten miles on a hilly paved trail.  Sometimes Mom joins him.

My son Denver (in blue) and friends going bicycle crazy!

Until I began thinking about triathlon, I had not really thought about bicycles in 20 years. Now, with my new beautiful bike-- which my husband named Spooky-- it all comes back to me: careening at high speed down a curving hill, adrenaline rushing, legs burning from the long hills, loving the bike and the road ahead.

My beloved new girl, Spooky.
Thank you, Dad.

I wish more people could get out of their cars on sunny days and at least rent a bicycle-- no need to train for an Ironman or anything . . .That would be Crazy (;-)  

The world needs more recess and gratitude-- both for the breeze on our faces . . . and bicycles.