Well ... the trip was almost uneventful. A few miles from my destination I encountered some road construction - but it appeared that Google Maps knew about the construction, because they had me turn just before the construction. I turned, but couldn't find the right road - but there was this awesome bike trail parallel to the road I really wanted to be on. Perfect!!! :) Well .... perfect until the path abruptly ended. Now what? I could see the road I wanted to be on just 50 yards or so away. However, in between me and the road was 50 yards of mud. Hmmmmmmm..... I could backtrack on the path -- but I really didn't know what other road to take. So --- I decided to walk through the mud. In retrospect not the best decision. I was sinking in the mud almost to my ankles and by the time Lucy and I got to the other side we were both covered in mud. I tried to scrape off as much as I could -- wash up in a mud-filled puddle ..... but I just couldn't get clean enough. BUMMER!!!!! So - I called my girlfriend and she came to pick me up. I wish I would have had my camera to take pictures. It was really a funny site - especially since I really hate being dirty -- but what could I do?
I felt much better after hosing off Lucy, taking a shower and getting into some clean clothes. Toward the end of the meeting we were having I started to get a bit, let's say, anxious .... ok, call it like it is ... crabby. I didn't quite know why --- but it was because I had to bike home .... not just because of the ride --- but because it certainly was going to take me longer to get home that any of them. I had to take a deep breath and remember that it was not their fault that I had to bike home. This is my choice - and actually the ride home was amazing. It was sunny and I was able to enjoy the sites, smells and energy of the neighborhoods I was biking through. What a great end to the crazy day!!!
Lessons for the day:
- Take it slowly (or a bit slower) when biking in the rain.
- Don't walk through mud with your bike shoes and road bike.
- Perhaps having an iPhone/Blackberry/GPS - or some device to help out when getting lost is something to think about.
- Be sure to have a water proof bag. The "dry clothes" I brought to change into were not dry, nor were they particularly clean by the time I got there.
- This is my choice and I am happy to be on the journey --- even through the mud and the muck (literally and figuratively)!!
- Having friends who are willing to support me through this journey is such a blessing!
- Don't forget your sunglasses - even if it is pouring rain when you leave - there is always a chance that the sun will come out!!
You should always wear glasses while biking to protect your eyes from rocks and debris. If you don't have a pair of glasses with clear or yellow lenses (which brighten things up considerably), you should get some.
ReplyDeleteThanks! You are right!!! I have glasses that allow for interchangeable lenses-- just need to buy clear lenses. Thanks for the reminder!!
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