ThE RoAd

Wenesdays Ride home


430 A.M. The alarm went off on my phone waking me to the impending commitment to pedal another 31 miles to work today.

Prep was completed quickly, at 515am I was rolling. The air was crisp, morning had not yet came, darkness was still.

In order to see my pedaling speed I would of had to hit that Toggle on my Garmin Etrex, so instead, I cared not about my rate, my velocity or my pace, I just rode a pace that felt good.

Not before long I was up and over the bridge, all the while admiring the stars, the orange glow that forms around street lights. Finally I was off a long stretch, steady rolling into another.

As I make my way on Florida's Black Heritage Trail (swear that's what the sign says), I start meandering through neighborhoods. The houses all look like they were built in the 70's, which is not a bad thing, it creates a certain vibration for the area, a vibration I appreciate.

Turn off to another back road making my way towards the train tracks and I spot a rider on a BMX bike, probably commuting to work just like me, with a quick Cadence.

Little do they know on this morning the CANNIBAL Is on the route, as I click it up a gear or two and overtake him with quick speed. I am hungry and fellow commuters are on the menu. Turns out I was not the only Indian on a bicycle today, as in a Row, all on similar bikes, all with similar sack packs slung across their backs, I overtook 6, count them, 6 commuters.

Eventually I made the halfway point of the ride 16.5 miles as I rode over the suspension bridge over Interstate four, hey look there, I am on the Florida Trail, you cant ride bikes on the Florida trail, except for this section and about 100 or so other miles of the Florida Trail that are multi use.

I turn onto Seminole Wekiva trail, check the clock, hmmm, 6:10 am, I can make starbucks by 630? I quickly do the math and realize that 20 minutes for the 7 or more miles I had was not possible.

Up ahead, O' what's this, a pack of runners, running shoulder to shoulder spanning the entire 20 feet, fantastic. I have no bell, so I let out a whistle, in fact, I let out about 20 whistles, but no acknowledgement. What's the safest way to do this??? Say on your left and risk them jumping in my path, or just fly by silently on the grass around the shoulders across America jogging crew??? I buzzed them on the grass like something out of Top Gun, I think the girl of the crew got startled, but c'mon folks...

Regardless, I see more joggers, and cyclist all get consumed. I make Starbucks at 649am. Not bad, call home to make sure LiL'r NI is up for school. HE is, I get my drink and a sandwhich and pedal onward to work. 7 more miles to go, rides almost done.

As I continue along, ticking the miles, I see Seniors getting their power walks and think about me and my twilight years, will the power still flow, will I still seek battles.

I start trying to see if I can remember the maze of roads that Google Bike maps has me doing to safely traverse to the Forest City Roubaix section that makes up the final Time Trial before my office.

I did excellent and remembered all the roads, got in the final section, kept the speed high, go to cut across the parking lot that I usually cut across to avoid the intersection of potential death, and my drink goes flying in all directions. DAMMIT, that's the second time that speed bump has made me spill my coffee.. Mental note, do not hit that speed bump with speed anymore.

At the office now I am all cleaned up, sitting at my desk, typing away at the keys. I feel good, real good.

Thursdays Ride into work


Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN