Riding

I have no idea what sparked it, but my bike is no longer just around for commuting and the occasional weekend ride. It has climbed back up the ranks into what is nearing obsession.

Haven't felt like this since before I got my drivers license.

Back when I road my Specialized RockHopper as far as I could without getting caught.

Back in the summer that I wanted to see if I could ride up the really steep hill to the water tower without having to shift. Tried it every day. Eventually I could zigzag my way up and the "challenge" for the summer wasn't a challenge at all. It bummed me out that it wasn't harder.

Back when I followed my Dad on his road bike to the lake three towns over just because he was bored before church. Ate a burger midway once and got the most direct lesson about what not to eat while riding that a kid needs.

Back when I was on some little red Trek mountain bike doing my mile circuit around the neighborhood, with a decent hill. If I had to shift out of the hardest possible gear, it didn't count towards the tally.

Back when I was riding my white single speed with multicolored crayons on it. When it got crushed by my neighbors car and I didn't know what to do besides carry it in the field and stare and my broken freedom.

So now I'm back in the saddle. Sore butt. Sore legs. Shift a lot more. Trying to lose a bit of the obsession and look at new goals with the same eyes that stared up at that water tower. Nothing else matters. No excuses.

Game on.