I couldn’t help it. By 4:30 p.m. on this Friday, the end of the work week, it was time. Time to ride. The sun became my best buddy for two hours. The road curved beautifully before me. After navigating a river of stones in the Scripps Poway Parkway bike path, I descended, then decided to make a random turn. That fast decision led me along a two-lane country road that delivered solitude and views reminiscent of Solvang, California.
It’s cliché, but timing really is everything.
A year ago this time, I was turning in for the night before attempting my first double century. My mind sped at high RPMs. The body refused to shut down until well past midnight. Then suddenly: the loud alarm. Followed immediately by the wake-up call from the hotel front desk. Shocked from the night’s slumber, I prepared with a nervous stomach and an excited heart. Oatmeal. Coffee. Embrocation. Later that day with the ride completed before dusk turned to darkness, I gave thanks. Quiet thanks for the chance to see all the beauty that is vast open space of the Central Coast. I’m not in Solvang this weekend, but I sure felt close to it on tonight’s ride. Quenching the thirst is all part of cycling, the love of the sport, the desire to do better, the craving for deep satisfaction and new discoveries. Best of luck to all those riding the Solvang Spring Double. May your thirst be quenched, and may the wind be at your back. Photo credit: Nationaal Achief. Garmin data here. And last thing: Are you riding with a purpose? Consider adding it to your program. You’ll ride stronger. I promise.
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I love it when I have a ride like that. Maybe I can talk my wife into a Solvang trip – she hits the wineries and I bike.
You hit on some of my keys to life in this post, man. Oatmeal, Quenching, and Purpose….three big things in my life, both on and off the bike.
Darryl
Solvang was my first ever century. 90% of the ride was rain that day. I’ll never forget.