“Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.”
Charles Schultz
In a month of beautiful spring days, Friday offered one more, beginning cool and clear and perfectly suited for my second significant bicycle ride.
This time I wanted to make sure that I crossed the 20-mile threshold so we managed a little better by putting in more than 23. As you can see from the map, it was a half mile before I remembered to begin recording – and I absolutely want credit for that!
We also managed to have a professional photographer on board! Bill Goode has been part of the Tarboro biker gang for several years but – sadly for all of us – recently moved to Charleston. Bill grabbed some images, put together this video, and graciously gave me permission to share.
What’s great about this group is how accommodating they are. They ride gently, match my speed and lack of stamina, and then pretend this is the pace they normally ride and that I am not holding them back.
Regardless, I absolutely felt yesterday’s distance in every part of my body and especially over the last three miles.
But what a beautiful experience, to be cruising on a bicycle, looking out over so many cultivated fields and getting a feel for just how rural Eastern North Carolina is. You can really get a sense of this looking at Bill’s short video, below.
I believe I can now unequivocally say I will be employing the services of a bicycle to help keep me fit during my 70’s. And once in a while – not necessarily every week – I plan to tag along with Steve, and Johnnie, and Brookes, and Scott, and Mike, and Jim (and Bill when we can get him).
(watercolor by A.I.)
Am I officially part of “Tarboro Cycling”? Well you will have to see if my shirt changes color any time soon!
Peace – and I mean that in every possible way.
– DEREK