“Ignite the open trail” (James Hatfield). I rode my shiny new bike on the path today and went further in that direction than I had before. I don’t know why, but as I passed new scenery, I felt like I was going slower. Maybe I was, or maybe it just felt that way. I was taking in the sights and sounds of a part of suburban Philadelphia I never experienced that way before. I past a few people who probably know that section by heart (who I’m sure said to themselves “wonder why he’s going so slow”?). When I turned around and headed toward home, I felt like I picked up speed (even though I wasn’t trying).
What made that happen? Was I going faster because I was more confident about the route or my abilities to navigate it? Did I become more comfortable because I’ve seen it before (even if it was a few minutes earlier)? Did I subconsciously go faster on the way back because I really wanted a smoothie and couldn’t wait to make one? Did those feelings happen for the same reason they do when I’m going somewhere on vacation (anticipation)?
Here’s the best part. I actually was going slower on the way home. Considerably slower. I was taking in and memorizing the bumps in the road I hadn’t noticed on the way out. I saw the low hanging tree branch, the break in the woods that gave me a glimpse of the river, and countless other things I won’t take note of again especially if I jog that portion of the trail. Sitting that high, with my head in that position, going the speed I was going, couldn’t be duplicated on foot.
I got home after a second day of a 12 mile ride and saw my reflection in a window. I was wearing a helmet. Do I have to see myself as an athlete now? Or will that title happen at a later date, if at all? Will that make me feel different? How I see myself is how I’m going to act…..
Hey, by the way, check out my new helmet!
