i just came across a small journal i wrote right after one of my favorite rides, last year mountainbiking the mckenzie river in oregon. does anyone else have a fond memory of a ride? -- here's what i wrote:

"Innocent Mischief"

we hitched a ride today
on the excstacy express-
corvallis to a spring in the field.
rode to the end of the road
but still 45 miles to go.
picked up by older adrenaline junky,
in his forties, ------- (sorry)
but looking for the same thing we were.
bikes in back-
the mckenzie river runs through
our minds.
talk of mind blowing treks:
cascade mountain climbs,
cross country ski trips,
kayaking the ultimate,
waldo lake bike rides, and
BAM! we were there.
the sun was standing
with arms on hips,
asking "what took you so long?"
he had every right to be abrupt---
-his february full appearance
in oregon is rare.
our tires found the path
or the path found us.
began peddling, peddling.
forward with intent.
not to reach any place,
but to live.
in this place in time,
this day with sky blue-
we rode exploding through turns.
this forest, lush, green-
trees flow by on either side.
this trail, along the river mighty,
up and up, leaned forward, and pushed.
through my mind images exploded.
tree-rock-shrub-root- JUMP!
turn left - silent rush
hop the root --- close!
turn left - turn right - miss the rock - shift down
quick!
steeps - not like corvallis, but out of nowhere.
singletrack steeps with obsticles galore-
curve to right with cliff on left-
our train almost derails-
500 feet (quick ride back)
sun warm on polypropylene shirt and pants
there's a smile on my face, and i know
there's one on mike's.
yes, yes, yes,
the feeling parallels sex.
like a goal in soccer.
a calculus test aced.
landing a 360
off a kicker
at willamette pass.
watching a star shower-
a full eclipse of the sun.
making a crowd laugh.
it's like being born,
first day of school.
trying out for the team-
the drama of a high school relationship-
going to college
[future = ?]
finding yourself.
hugging MOM.
a feeling like many others,
like people everywhere.
today we caught it, knew it.
trees hinted.
the river said so.
the sun- out to prove it.
mike - picking vegetation off the floor
of our earth - eating it - drinking
from mini waterfall dready
and intoxicated from his
beautiful vision of reality
here, on the trail, being.
mike already knew-
knew what?
this is it.
fjord river - wood bridge
stop - rest - gaze at the day
let it soak in
the skin, the soul.
rest is over -
peddle, peddle.
energy check -
think of ride back.
not yet 1/2 way there,
more than 1/2 tired.
gotta keep going.
magnificent, glorious!
i shouted woo-hoo!
i grabbed the feeling,
the moment in time.
smiled.
sped up.
thinking of life in muti-reality increments,
each independent from the others-
thinking of life as a whole philisophical existance.
an infinate single reality-
i enjoy both thoughts.
thinking they might mix together somewhow-
transparently involving themselves
in the truths the other holds.
tree!
feel it now
fell what?
feel that there are many feelings
feelings like this,
but i know it this time.
thank you tree-
feeling it in my legs-
point other way, half way there.
yes, yes, yes, like the oregon country fair.
like your first show.
like a new bike,
or a new car.
believing in yourself-
becoming somebody-
being young.
2nd wind blown from magic air
from magic day from magic life.
4 hours into it, the boars head is hanging from the tree,
and that's just the beginning of what's to come.
circumstances, leading to the hunt
sacrifice and prayer are somehow mixed
between a partial-space-reality
and a single life existance.
downhill now-
no worry- total control.
- feel the perfection -
the oneness with the bike -
are we seperate?
have i become the bike i wonder
but have to jump the stump
i have to keep going,
speed lights a fire
in the body i'm in.
fear - not like leaving home -
like falling off a cliff-
entered into my mind
peering over the edge of earth
accomplishment - not like graduating -
like surviving a mortal feat-
would accomplishment exist without fear?
down. back. to the beginning.
gaining strength-
forest life repeating itself
river says "go"
sky says "relax"
sun says "feel"
tree says "be".
i hear them all.
at once i hear every plant, every
forest animal, every drop of water,
every ray of light, every
sight of the sky.
their existance blurred
by both the speed they
ruch by me,
and a mixture of philosophies.
i saw the sky watching me
watch the river.
i don't know if the sky
saw the sun watching her.
behind the sky the stars
watched entire galaxies
watch what else?

becomoming the bike-

wondering, wondering,
like being 2,
like dreaming.
-dunked under branch,
entered dark.
coast under shade-
30 seconds.
silent. peace.
a meditation - a mourning - a prayer-
30 seconds time.
and BAM! out.
branch - lift front wheel.
root - go around.
tree- turn
cliff - don't slip.
-autopilot.
lush, green, wild, alive
amazon. costa rica. hawaii. jamaica.
mckenzie river.
closed my eyes -
felt the day -
i smiled as i came
to the end that i knew
was no end.