Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 2,368
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Whatever dissatisfaction or funk was hanging over me seems to be letting up.
Rode the Plug with the light bag on the rear rack and took the trail to trail route. I was eager to check-out a new center stripe painted on the Greenway trail that I saw in the local news. It also had the words "Slow Zone" stenciled on the pavement.
At 48F It was a little warmer than the last few mornings but the bike and my body felt a little stiff. Climbing the steep hill between the house and the trail I thought it was going to be a trudge al the way to work. But I looked at the speedo and I was doing pretty good. Then somewhere before the 2nd mile the bike and my body felt loose and fast. And I felt good mentally. So much so that I was immune to the usual annoyance triggers along the way.
I made it to the new stripe and was prepared to hate it and its smug attitude, but they actually did it it in a smart way with the stencils and additional signs at narrow points and underpasses where they're needed. There were also signs warning people not to gather on or clutter up the underpasses. I'm hoping they stripe the narrow, blind underpass/chicane on the Rock Island trail where this one homeless guy sleeps on the trail as well as the underpasses by the office.
Work was busy but kinda fun with even more new AI tools to explore which will make my job easier.
The ride home was pleasant with a temp around 60F. Right when I got to the new stripe I encountered some sort of grade school or middle school track club with dozens of kids jogging all across the trail, ignoring the painted stripe along with the sheepish apologetic looks on the faces of the adult chaperones. And yet, I remained chill and up-beat, and really felt satisfied and content at the end of the ride.
Oh, and I tried to sprint again on the way home. I managed to go from 12.1mph to 18.5, which is so much better than the previous two attempts where I managed to only up my speed 1mph.
Whatever was pulling me down emotionally seems to have evaporated.
I'm looking forward to tomorow's ride which should start off in the mid 30s.