The summer goes by so quickly, like the miles turning on my bike’s CatEye.
I should have recorded all the rotations, reflecting energy expended up McKenzie Pass in Central Oregon, rolling past the open farm and ranch country in the latter and Southeast Washington’s wine country. Up to Women’s Forum for a view of the Columbia Gorge with my Sorella Forte teammates.
Past alpacas, sheep, cows, horses. Sprinting to catch an orchard’s sprinkler – the cooling mist briefly refreshing a sweat-filled forehead. Up one hill, we hear brush stirring, a family of deer rush across the county road in front of us – the baby trailing just as we crank to the top.
Perfectly sunny days, the white glacier mountains of the Cascade chain standing tall in the distance. We are so lucky to be healthy and able to churn the pedals that get us out off the main roads, peeking into places we’d never see by car, never veer off the main roads to travel.
This multi-geared machine I ride has been a big part of my life for the last 20+ years post back injury and recovery – a way to rebuild physically and mentally post partial disability, a way to meet new friends and extend the circle via common interest of the two wheels that we plan trips around, connect with post-ride meals and wine tasting during annual rides.
A whole world centered around quad and glute-propelled spinning tires, connected to a sturdy titanium frame that supports all my miles of discovery.