Fifty Plus (50+) - Beautiful creatures on my ride today in the Arkansas Ozarks

There are two horses that always come running to see me as I approach on my bicycle. The one pictured here is a ham. They get nose rubs and sweet talk. This is one of the wonderful things about cycling -- just get off your bike and take a couple photos and interact with the beauty around you.

You're right. This is what cycling is all about, enjoying the ride and seeing what's there. It's not about speed, components, how fast you can climb, how many miles. It's about pure enjoyment of life.

Nice photos.

You're right. This is what cycling is all about, enjoying the ride and seeing what's there. It's not about speed, components, how fast you can climb, how many miles. It's about pure enjoyment of life.

Nice photos.

Or, it can be about both! I race, and I also enjoy the sights I see, and in particular, the wildlife. And, by the way, the further you go, the more opportunities you have to see new things.

Great shots...

I grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I'd ride from F'ville to Eureka Springs (apx. 45 miles) and back. BEAUTIFUL scenery, but some seriously steep climbs.

Great bars/restaurants in Eureka Springs made it all worthwhile!

On one of my routs over Usery Pass and out into the wilderness I sometimes pass wild horses called Brombes I think. It's usually just as the sun is coming up that I see them in the spring usually.

Yes, it can be about both. I love to challenge myself on the Saturday rides I do with my bike group, the Ozark Roadies, where it is more about miles (usually 40-50) and speed. I love these group rides and the people I ride with. But, I also love just meandering, stopping as I did today to enjoy the beauty around me and the solitude, with no thought about miles or speed. Just being out there is a joy.

Really nice pics.:50:

It will be nice when they complete the trail system and we can go from the
state line to the south side of Fayetteville.

Great shots.

Gorgeous horses!

My favorite horse was named Cochise but his friends called him Coach. He was some mixture with lots of quarter horse with the broad chest and wide set legs for fast maneuvering. He was not beautiful in the show horse sort of way but he had a beautiful personality, being both spirited and gentle and liked being around people. If you called him when in the pasture he'd come running and we would both enjoy a nose or forehead rub. If his owner John rode him, Coach would rear up as if to say, "We're going to have a great ride - I'm ready". If anyone else road him, he wouldn't do that. He was also a ham. If he saw something glinting by the side of the road, say a beer can, he'd pretend to be frightened by opening his eyes wide and acting skittish by walking sideways, which horses do if they think a mountain lion is about to latch onto a hind quarter. I would let him know the performance was of Academy Award caliber.

Horses give off a certain energy which is why we like being around them. John and Cochise are gone now but it there is a heaven they'd both better be there - I miss them.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm185/ematerso/RamIslandHorses5.jpg
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm185/ematerso/RamIslandHorse6.jpg