Mental Loop

My plan starting January 1st was to get some bike fitness. After a fall pretty much off the bike and a December of very little exercise at all my first ride of the year was not spectacular. I figured at the end of a three month period I could turn that around drastically. Today was the day to see if I had been successful. I chose a route to ride that in the past has chewed me up and barfed me out (yes, spit me out is mild compared to what this loop has done to me).

Right from the start today, I had to stay true to my commitment that I would do this route no matter how long it took. A couple of blocks from my house I noticed that there was a strange wobble in my rear wheel. Upon inspection, my rear tire had a weak spot and had popped out. I turned around, went home and put on a new tire. Grateful that it happened early and not in the middle of the ride, but also wondering if it was a sign to pull the plug. So many times during the ride there were options to change my route, take a short cut or turn around but I stayed the course. What didn't stay the course was the wind, it managed to change just in time to always be a headwind. I was out breaking wind by myself (from both ends:)) I had plenty of time to think while I was out there as it was a long day in the saddle. A good day for clearing my mind and a day that showed I have gained the bike fitness I was seeking.

I have a habit of running the same reel over and over in my head. One benefit of this is I have an outstanding memory but some things I would rather not remember. Lately, my mind has been playing a movie that I would rather not watch. Nothing clears my mind better than being out in nature, and today I was working so hard to get through the ride that on my mental route I was able to reset the mental loop.