Gone riding…

Four… how many days in a row it’s rained since last Wednesday. Sunday afternoon there was a break in the monsoon, but one of my roommates got hitched so I spent the day on Monte Sano.

Five… how many days in a row it’s predicted to rain this week. I never imagined I’d enjoy cycling as much as I do, but I find myself growing restless when I can’t ride.

Sunday a week ago, I showed up at my favorite bicycle shop to ride with my favorite bicycle shop owner, Matt. As I walked in the front door I noticed his store hours. They were standard Monday through Saturday, but on Sunday it simply said “Gone Riding.” I laughed as I walked in because that’s exactly what we were planning to do.

We had no real route or destination in mind, just the mission to ride. Throughout my training, I get in ruts where riding becomes work. I’m worried about hills or tempo or mileage or something else. In those moments, it’s easy to forget why I started riding in the first place. For Matt, it’s the same thing. He owns his own shop so he’s in, on or around bikes all day, every day. And since most of his friends ride, cycling is part of his life even off-the-clock. It’s easy for him to forget about the love, too.

So that particular Sunday, we had no agenda. We rode through several neighborhoods eventually paralleling the Tennessee River at Ditto Landing. He showed me a new route circling through roads I’d never seen. This particular route was nestled in a beautiful valley of farmland and plush greenery at the base of Green Mountain. It was absolutely gorgeous with bright blue skies and puffy white clouds. We marveled at how beautiful North Alabama is. One of our favorite things about cycling is being able to see the country from a perspective most people miss. There are some beautiful places you only find when you leave a main thoroughfare.

Matt and I rode and rode. It was relaxing and peaceful. Nearly 40 miles later, we coasted back into the shop parking lot tired and happy. We finished the day with a Mellow Mushroom pizza and a cruise in Matt’s vintage VW bug. It was a near perfect day, and by its end, we both remembered why we started riding in the first place. It was freeing and completely refreshing. Cycling is therapeutic; that particular day was a beautiful reminder why.

Yesterday, there was nowhere else I would’ve chosen to be than at my dear friend’s wedding, but as I drove up the mountain I saw half a dozen cyclists pushing themselves up the incline. With each one I passed, a small twinge of jealousy stirred. I’m certain I’m not capable of tackling Monte Sano just yet, but I sure miss riding when I go a few days without and I envy the cyclists I see out on the road. Isn’t there a saying about that — absence makes the heart grow fonder or something.

Regardless, if there’s a break in the clouds in the coming days I’m taking a page from Matt’s shop door…

To support me as I ride int he Nashville JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, click here.