Spring - I Love You!

For all my moaning an groaning over the late start to Spring this year, I take it all back and glorify you!  I came home tonight drunk with headiness over the sights, scents and sounds of a marvelous spring bike ride.  Every street, every road had lilacs in bloom and their sweet aromas were heavy in the air, I drank so deeply of their pleasant scent that I thought my lungs might burst.  I couldn't wipe the grin from my face.  Flowering trees have eye popping color right now in a show of light to deep pinks, whites and lovely purples and the birds are so happy they sing till their heart's content.  Thank you God for the beautiful bike ride you gave me today!

As for my fitness I could not be more pleased.  Truthfully, from mid March - April till less than a week ago I was ready to throw in the towel.  I'd lost so much fitness after my surgery last fall that I was heartbroken over it.  I worked hard and pushed myself, hard.  Very hard.  I honestly had to force myself out on rides, it was so painful with all the huffing and puffing, weak and shaky muscles and lack of will and desire.  I beat myself up both physically and mentally and cursed the loss of fitness. I forced myself to make the pedals go round.  Then magic occurred.  Training, perseverance and pushing myself kicked in.  It all became "worth it."  All that work, all those hills I forced myself up, the miles I forced myself to cringe through, forcing myself to make the pedals go round when I wanted to give up or cry or both, it all paid off.  Sweetness!  Joy!  Happiness!

My last two rides, yesterday and today, I felt like I could have gone on forever.  I was sorry to see it get dark and make my ride end.  I pedaled and pedaled and cranked my way up hills and down hills, along flats and found a rhythm to rollers.  Cycling felt effortless, I found zen and oneness with the bike.  Bliss.

My ride tonight was  my longest mileage wise and also the shortest time for the miles put on.  About 2/3 of it was dirt roads which are more challenging and the final 1/3 of the way home was on smooth pavement and when I reached the pavement I felt like I flew, literally.  About 4 miles from home a road cyclist pulled along side and we struck up a chat.  He opened by asking if I'd just come from Ann Arbor and saying that he really had to "go some to catch me,"  it was sweet music to my ears and I had an ear splitting grin.  I have my name on my bike and he recognized me as being Supervisor, I had to tell him "former Supervisor" and he said he was sorry to hear that, lived in the township but was not aware of current events.  I can't say exactly how nice it was to have some sudden and unexpected company, especially so, since it was a stranger but after a couple of miles of chat between fellow bikers I didn't feel a sense of being with a stranger but more of a kindred spirit.  We parted ways and I felt richer for the experience and brief chat.

My biggest surprise was that this was near the end of a challenging ride but I kept up a brisk pace and was able to chat like I was sitting in a chair and not putting out effort.  That amazed me.

Spring, I love you!  And I've fallen in love with my bike all over again.