Love on Two Wheels.

i fell in love. with cycling.

it was a couple weeks ago. a cool, cloudy sunday morning, and i was riding in the bridge pedal with my good friend. we were nearing the last leg on the 24 mile loop...the long climb up and over st. johns bridge. by this point in the ride my legs were taut, muscles loose, i was in the zone, pushing ahead at a quick, steady pace. i was a little apprehensive about the climb as i haven't done much sustained climbing in the few meager months of bike ownership.

so, i talked myself through it. literally. my muscles burned like hell, but the mental commentary kept me pushing on. i saw several people to my right who had given up and were walking their bikes up the hill. i couldn't let that be me...i'm too prideful (and too much of a perfectionist, for that matter). i wanted to quit, but i forced myself to welcome the pain, love the pain. after what seemed like minutes, i had reached the top of the hill leading to the bridge, and passed lots of riders in the process (woohoo!). now, i was feelin' good! i could see the end. i picked up my pace, and started toward the bridge. it was still uphill, but not as steep and as i reached the crest of the bridge, i got that "runner's high", only much, MUCH better. the pain subsided, my limbs felt noodle-like, warm...and (pardon the cliche) i felt free. it was the most incredible feeling: a gorgeous view of downtown, the feel-good aura of physical exertion, crisp, cool breeze against my skin, a feeling of accomplishment. pure bliss. i couldn't help but smile.

until that point, i liked cycling. i loved my bike, mind you. i loved the idea of cycling. but i hadn't yet fallen.

so good.