Originally Posted by
mdilthey
I find a zen in cycling onwards over bleak landscapes. In the deserts of Eastern Colorado in late fall, I found peace and tranquility. There's a surprising amount to see in nothingness, from small interruptions from passing cars and roadside properties to the sudden presence of a new feature like a far-off peak, a river, or a new cloud. It changes from instant to instant like the densest city would.
I agree, the subtler pleasures of "boring" landscapes can surprise one. DelMarVa peninsula is mostly flat farmland, almost like the midwest. Peaceful & quiet with nice roads, no hills to fight. On car trips to the Midwest it's been a bit similar while driving on the non-interstate roads. Vast stretches of quiet corn fields etc...weirdly it starts to feel almost heavenly after a while.