Why?

My non-local friends might wonder why there's no photo with this post. That's easy, it was raining.

My north Texas area friends might wonder why I was out riding on a day like this. Especially since the forecast for tomorrow looks much nicer than 53 degrees, gusty NE wind, and rain. The answer to that question is a little more involved, but not too far out there. Many who question my decision will surely understand that after 5 days off the bike, the only way to purge a punishing work week is an encounter with the elements. Besides, tomorrow, even with its favorable weather forecast, remains uncertain.

So I pointed my front wheel northward, put my head down, squinted my eyes, pushed the right crank arm down, and glided out of the garage...

After being out there for just a little while, I was reminded that there are a multitude of other reasons why that are much harder to articulate to the non-bicyclist. Why? Well, it's hard to describe.

Come with me, and I'll SHOW you.

No Plan, No Direction.

If one travels on business, and has his bicycle along, he can sometimes be the beneficiary of good fortune. I think it is the kind of good fortune to which they refer when they say something about making your own luck.

There was no direction, and there was no plan. I just happened to be at a place, at the right time, with a bicycle handy. That place happened to be in the fourth largest city in the US. Who would have thought?

Although most of the route was a nice paved hike/bike trail along one of the area's characteristic bayous, some area looked like this...

Yep, just dumb luck.

Gravel Companion

Cruising the early Sunday morning silence is like the whole world belongs to me. Well, at least northwest Denton County. I roll through ranch land, from ridge to ridge, on gravel roads that are empty. Familiar routes, but somehow different, in a lonely sort of way.

Until this fella spots me.

From all I can see, he's out cruising the countryside also. Without a bark or a whimper, he runs along side as if he'd been waiting for me to arrive. For a couple of miles, we travel together. But when the gravel road ends at pavement, I go on alone. Content in his place, he has no use for what the paved road offers.

Sneaking Up on Me

Things are changing fast around here. My yard looks different in the afternoon than it did in the morning. Every time I look out the window, there is a new surprise. I know it is spring time, but new leaves and blooms still sneak up on me.

Today, pedaling downhill into a headwind, I had that creepy feeling. That creepy feeling like someone was sneaking up on me. Then movement caught the extreme left edge of my field of vision. Startled, I glanced left.

Silently, and just 8 feet off the ground, two large geese flew beside me just beyond the fence on the left side of the road. Their flight was smooth, silent, and appeared effortless. Moving faster than me, they glided down the hillside parallel to the fence. Then simultaneously, they banked left, rose gradually, and disappeared over the ridge.

No honking.

Sneaky.

Good to Be Here

Climbing out of the Clear Creek valley in north Denton County, Texas.

Where were you at 7:17 am (CDT) on Sunday morning?

Few Things Finer

there are few things finer

than the crackle

of prairie road gravel

with the notes birds sing

in the morning of early spring

Unfair

Several people suggested that my prior post was unfair. I agree, and I apologize.

It has been deleted.