There was a little wind from the east, and one lane hog in a small blue truck on Quivira, but other than that, it was uneventful. In fact, I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I really wasn’t there for most of it. I was *there*, mind you, but my mind was wandering and I just couldn’t seem to tow it in.
It was really tough to get out this morning, starting with the bed, and ending with the garage door. The time between the first alarm and the snoozed alarm can only be measured in milliseconds, and gathering everything together for the ride was an exercise in repetition. Go downstairs and pack item. Go upstairs and get item I’d forgotten. Repeat. My Wallace and Gromit machine failed me utterly.
Once I was finally on the road, I was so inwardly turned that I’m really surprised I made it here at all. All this talk of paying attention and having 360° awareness (difficult, at best, harder still without a rear view mirror, impossible with the eyes focused inwards) and I spend most of the morning ride mindless and unaware. Not mindful, mind you, but mindless. Thing is, there isn’t anything really bothering me. I was thinking about my goals, the weekend, pool league tonight, choice things I’d like to say to cars that pass too close, the absence of other commuters, and a dozen other things I can’t remember now. I just couldn’t focus on riding the way I should.
Instinct kicked in. Autopilot got me by the pot holes and maintained a good line through traffic. There were no incidents. No close calls (that I know of). No last-second dodges of pot holes or obstacles. There was just pedals turning and the whine of my knobbies on pavement (which was, unfortunately, drowned out by the wind in my ears). It was a singularly odd ride, looking back on it. I credit the years of riding experience that honed that instinct and trained that autopilot, and I throw a big fat Howdy Do to Lady Luck, may I need her but rarely.
This weekend, we have a Defined Fitness Training team photo Saturday morning at Epic Bike and Sport, followed by a club ride. I’m not sure what the plan is for the ride, but if it’s a relatively short one, I intend to tack on some additional miles via my “Balloon Route.” I thought of that name for the route this morning… get it? It looks a little like a balloon. Guess you had to be there. If all goes as planned, I might actually be there for the photo and the ride, right there alongside my body and bike.
Might I suggest that you learn to love and embrace the art of packing all non-perishables the night before? It helps VOLUMES.
You might, and you would be right do to so. I knew back in December that getting everything set out the night before was immensely helpful in the morning. Most times I do, but some times, like last night, I get lazy. This morning was typical of that, and I blame only myself. And you. I blame you too. Perhaps George W. Bush as well.
I would include “Prepare the Night Before” in any Top 10 Tips for Bicycle Commuters. It might not have the life saving benefits of proper lighting and reflective surfaces, or knowledge of how to deal with traffic and road conditions, but it certainly makes life easier.
I’m still working on that Wallace & Gromit style dressing machine. Should have the kinks worked out by next winter.