|
Bald Peak |
|
Over the past years, I have felt "It" coming back several times while in the saddle. Sure, sure, I would manage to hammer out a 50 mile ride just to need a nap afterwards. That would soon be followed by some unforeseen circumstance pulling my butt back off the saddle for another eight months. I am not sure why, but this time is different. It could be denial. It could be the relinquishment of so many other hobbies, or giving up on reaching for "The American Dream" that, in my opinion, does not exist. If the dream does exist, I'm already living it. I took a break from riding with the team to see if I could make it up Bald peak; a 1400 foot climb in a scant couple miles. Not-so-long-story, short, I made it. But, the way I climbed reminded me of 1989 whereas I could keep my heart rate right where I wanted it, keeping the hurt at bay until the summit easily approached.
It was a stunning morning on the rim of the valley with a 52 mile per hour descent awaiting me. Club rides have come and gone since I visited the peak, and I have been in every one of them. Meeting new people has been refreshing along the 40, 50, and 60 mile rides. The weight is melting away (21 pounds in the last five weeks), and my energy level lasts from morning till night. I miss hiking, but cycling again has been an incredibly rewarding consolation.
|
