Heading West

Dear friends.  I have been terribly remiss in writing here.  And, I plan to change that (though, “planning” and “doing” engage two different parts of the brain.  I’m working on getting them to communicate better with one another).

Many of you know that I leave for Moab, Utah next week, where I will be bicycling again with WomanTours (that amazing bicycle tour group just for women based right here in Rochester, NY).  I’m really excited about this trip.  And, I’m fairly nervous.  As the temperatures here in Rochester have been cooling, my desire to ride has cooled as well.  I think about riding everyday.  But, my motivation has been sorely lacking.  I did rescue my mountain bike from the garage last week, and took my Addy for her first “real” ride along an old rail trail.  Not much of a mountain bike ride, but I did really enjoy getting out and pedaling atop the leaves.  At the end I wondered if perhaps the cooler temperatures were bringing out my desire to play on dirt trails.

The ride in Moab will be limited to road riding.  I considered taking my Addy for a MTB ride on our afternoon off.  But after riding on the flat dirt trails last week, I discovered that though fun,  pedaling a heavier bike with 26 mm tires and a more upright position with t-bars…well, I’m way out of shape for that.  Anyway, when I’m road riding I really am in my element.  And so, with the stunning scenery I’m told I’ll see, and a group of women I’m sure will be both inspiring and heart warming, I’m imagining that at least I’ll feel at home.  It’s keeping up with myself that concerns me most.  On our ride around Lake Ontario, I really enjoyed being one of the faster riders.  Not because I was racing anyone, or had some nebulous time limit in mind for reaching our destinations.  But because I just love going fast.  I like getting into a brisk rhythm, and found on that ride that I was getting more and more comfortable with maintaining a faster pace.  I felt strong, and energized.  And, I worry that when I get on my bicycle in Moab, well, perhaps I won’t feel as strong, or as energized.

Then again, is that such a bad thing?  The autumn season is about starting to slow down, right?  And, for those of you who know me well, winter is a hibernatory time for me.  Thus, autumn is all about preparing for that, getting my cave ready.

Who knows how things will turn out next week.  Perhaps I’ll fly over the hills and down into the valleys.  And, perhaps I’ll find that I am the slowest pedaler on the trip.  Hmmm…I can’t imagine how that would make me feel.  But, I’m going, so I must be ready for anything.

Tune in as you’re interested in my musings about my trip out to Utah (oh, yeah, I’m driving out), in and around Moab, and back to Rochester.  In the meantime, and as always, pedal on!