Halfway into my ride this evening I came upon a new road outside of town. The surface looked so smooth and shiny from the rain that had just quit, so I had to ride it, though it was a bit of a climb. Sure enough, I felt like I was floating up toward the top of the hill, watching the spray of water come off of my front tire.

I was feeling better by the second, but as I came around a bend the paved part of the road ended. I stopped, got off my road bike, and stared at the crushed rock and packed dirt surface separating me from the top of the hill. I looked to my left and saw a whitetail deer watching me, as if ready to ask, "Well, are you going to keep cimbing or not?"

I clipped back into the pedals and left the blacktop. The unfinished section of road was just firm enough to hold my 23mm tires, and I climbed the rest of the hill with a big dumb grin on my face. Who knew that dirt and rock could feel even better than fresh, wet pavement? For some reason or another I was having one of those moments that makes you never want to stop riding. A moment where you forget how many calories you're burning, you forget which grouppo is better than which, you forget about upgrading to Carbon or Titanium. I was riding just to ride, the way we all did when we were kids with department store bikes and baseball cards in our spokes.

What if I told you there was even a rainbow in the eastern sky when I reached the top? Would you believe me?

If you were a cyclist you would.

I love that feeling.

No effort at all, the bike simply glides under you. For a while it feels like there isn't even a bike, just an extension of your body.

Oh, yes, I believe you. Isn't there an inner peace when you have that wonderful feeling? It kind of reminds you of the simple joys of living. How lucky we are as human beings to be able to enjoy and appreciate those kind of gifts that we are given.

I ride a comfort bike and about two weeks ago, I went out for my evening ride. Usually I go South, but this night I went North and found a rode that I have never been down. I took it. after 1/4 mile, the pavement ended and then it was flat dirt road with potholes filled with water. The road was wet, so there was a never ending dirt spray of the tires. I have always kept the bike clean and away from moisture on my rides, when possible. BUT this ride was different. The little kid in me said screw it! you are on the lightest bike you have ever owned, have fun. Towards the end of the road, I was trying to get dirty, hitting puddles, trying to jump them, doing peel outs, Oh what fun! It took awhile to clean up that mess, but I had so much fun!!! I think I need to start adding trail-riding to my journeys.

Of course I believe you. I would even believe you if you were telling me you rode over the rainbow.