18 Miles Per Hour

NOT THAT FAR AWAY IS FAR ENOUGH

For better or worse, lately I’ve reached a level of fitness where a 2+ hour, climbing-heavy ride is no big deal. The “for worse” part of this is one that you may identify with. See, I’m suddenly in the throes of a busy month, work-wise. One that doesn’t allow for long rides before or after work on weekdays.

I have to hit the trail before sunup and only have about 45 minutes to ride before I have to get home, shower and get ready to sit in traffic.

So here’s the “for worse” part of my fitness: I got to the point where any ride that was under a couple hours felt like it was a waste of time. Like I was barely working out and it was doing nothing for my fitness.

Hogwash, of course, but there it is. I got a bit addicted to really pushing myself and feeling the burn of a 3+ hour ride. Anything less felt…meh.

So I started this week with a couple of those short rides. They were unsatisfying, but I kept doing them. And then this morning, on yet another stunted ride, something good happened. I started to awaken from that training-for-racing focus and started to look around again.

I started to absorb the world again. Rediscovered the 18milesperhour mission – to ride through the world and not just pass it by.

I didn’t get very far on my ride, but I got far enough. Far enough to see the trail again. To really enjoy the time, however short, on my bike again.

And now I’m back home.