March 22, 2012

Another official moment: I'm a cyclist!

Today was one of those best-day-ever days. And I had an a-ha moment: I feel like I now identify more as a cyclist.

Kelly and I met for a ride, and we pedaled through the beautiful rolling green countryside of Colts Neck. Think: farms, horses, and land of amazing apple pies. The sky was a deep shade of blue, with puffy white cotton ball clouds. The wild flowers are blooming, and the scent of pine was in the air. Ahh, spring has sprung.

As I tucked down low and brought my chin close to my handlebars on a downhill, I thought to myself that I wished I was on a road bike going faster; I was already going 30 mph on my nearly 35 lb steel horse. For most of the ride, I managed to keep up with Kelly, who was riding a road bike that's probably 15 lbs lighter than mine. Oh, AND she's a hardcore athlete, training for her second triathlon. Yep, I'd like to think I'm on pace with someone who is rough and tough. I did, however, get dropped on a bunch of uphills.

I love my bike. I love my new pedals. I love that I can push it fast(ish), even though it's heavy. I love that it can carry everything I need to live. There's nothing I don't love about my bike. But today's ride had me craving more. I can now see myself on a road bike, zipping along at fast clip, bombing up and down hills. My next bike will be a road bike.

According to Kelly's computer, we rode 36 miles, and according to mine, we rode 37. Thirty seven sounds way more badass, so I'm going with that number.



Showing off our fire arms in a restricted area

And quite literally, a fire arm. Let the cycling tan begin! (It hurts like hell, by the way)

March 9, 2012

I'm going going, back back, to...Seattle

It's never really real, until that one-way plane ticket is purchased. Well, consider it really real. The so-cheap-it's-unheard-of fares backed me into a corner and made me choose a date, seconds before clicking "purchase." And within a few hours, POOF, my entire plan for the West coast fell neatly into place, without even trying. I love how that happens, like magic.

Five days after my 31st birthday, I'll swap the East coast for the West coast, and will not see the ocean again until I dip my front wheel into the Atlantic. I have some super-secret sneaky plans up my sleeve for my arrival back home, but I'll keep them to myself for now.

T minus 74 days...I think? (math was never my strong point, people!)


Where I'll probably spend half a day, eating all kinds of junk

March 2, 2012

More Moments

Today, March 2nd, is 3 years since I summited Springer Mountain, and began walking to Maine. In the craziness of this typical real-world Friday, I was able to take a few moments to reflect: I baked my favorite cookies, sea salted whole wheat chocolate chip, washed them down with a latte, and thought some thoughts.

Three years ago at this exact minute, I was settling in for a very, very cold first night on the mountain. I ate angel hair spaghetti with powdered tomato sauce, and filtered water from the pvc-piped spring. The temps dropped to a balmy 7 degrees. I never slept a wink.

Those are moments I will not soon forget.

Moments

I often consider this: had Kelly (E) not dated an old friend of mine, then I wouldn't know her, and if I didn't know her, then I wouldn't know about long distance hiking, wouldn't have hiked the AT, and wouldn't have met Ducky, who taught me about long distance cycling. I wouldn't have been led down this unbelievable path that has taught me what's important in life.   

It's incredible how one moment, or a night of bonding over a game of Egyptian Rat Screw, can change the course of your life. I wonder if I was ever that one moment for someone else. 

A favorite moment of mine:


Sunset on Little Haystack Mountain/White Mountains, NH