From Solitude

It's always nice to ride with friends, and it looked like that would happen today, but it turned out to be a solo ride.
I don't have a very stressful life, but there is something about a 4+ hour ride in rural surroundings, that is vital to my mental and physical well being. Everything during my ride today was welcoming, reassuring, calming and explanatory. Maybe it's the chance to search the landscape and see where I come from, maybe it's the simplicity, the lack of city clutter, the ability to see as far as is possible. Answers, or clarification comes from somewhere during these rides. The exploration has wonderful rewards.
There are always great conversations when riding with friends. Today I had many enlightening conversations, with trees, farms, barns, sky, clouds, wind and rivers. 80/18.4

Beer Run

Rode to a happy hour, which turned into three, with the team. It's always good to see everybody. Maybe four miles round trip.

33's

Been doing pretty much the same route every weekday since my crash. It's flat, mostly on trails or dedicated bike lanes, and just simple to ride. I'm worried I might get a little bored with it, because I'm doing it so often. I'm feeling great, but just not into bike route variety I guess. 33/16.9

Nose and Apples

To be able to eat apples I've had to cut them up. Today was the first day since the crash that I could take a bite out of one. The pain of chewing something hard or crisp went away about a week ago. Apples have been particularly hard to eat because of my front top teeth. They got knocked around pretty good, and as soon as the swelling went down, they were loose. I had to be pretty careful biting the apple today, but I got the job done, without a knife, and without losing any teeth.
Nose blowing has also improved significantly in the last week. No pain, although still a little tender, it's nice to be able to launch a snot rocket, if I want to, but I'd never really do that.

Very nice ride tonight. It just felt right to be on my bike. You know 50 degrees...it's a little cool.
33/16.7

NOT BIKE RELATED WARNING:

My oldest grand kid learned to tie his shoes today. Apparently he got it in 3 tries...quick like his grandpa.

I Am A Roadie

I loved being on my Orbea tonight. Most of my ride was spent wondering how I could ride a road bike all year long. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my Axis and my Cannondale MTB, but they just aren't what I love. 33/16.7

A Cold Wet One

I started my ride while it was still raining, so I took my full fendered Axis out. The loop I did out to Hopkins, brings me back to my place, before I head east on the greenway. I was cold right away, and wasn't warming up, so as I looped back I stopped at my place and put on a warmer jacket, and a skull cap, which made a world of difference. Pretty wussy, I know, but it kept me out on the bike. Lots of wet leaves on the trail, so I played it safe and kept things slow, at least that's the excuse I'm using. 30/14.7

A Day of Worship

No prayer, blessing, or service has ever stirred my soul as much as what I saw during my ride today.
Medina
Medina
Medina
Medina
Long Lake
Long Lake
Medina
Medina
Orono

Baker Reserve
Baker Reserve
Lake Minnetonka

Life is simply beautiful. Mine has been de-cluttered over the last two days. What's important? Not most of what we think.

48/17.5