Civil twilight is the time I like to be home from a bike ride. Especially without lights on the bike. Currently, civil twilight here in Pittsfield is 8:35 PM.
Zachary appeared in my room in full bike kit around 6:30. “Let’s go ride?” It was more of a statement than a question.
What would I want to say but, of course! This is what I live for! Always say yes….or is it, never say no…..hmmmm?
I kitted up and we were outta there like a shot.
We took off through the pollen laden streets of Pittsfield on a hot spring afternoon. Zachary had a route in mind. North out of Pittsfield, up and over October and Washington mountains with a descent back into town at 45 miles per hour! This type of ride is the essence of a crême de la crême bike ride: a climb that is difficult enough that you don’t feel undone at the summit and yet was challenging, level portions that make you feel stronger than you really are, with a descent that makes you feel like a daredevil! Good weather is the gilding on the lily.
The roads in this part of Massachusetts are generally good, with stretches of hideously pockmarked tarmac. In the Northeast, this is to be expected in the spring. Even in my home state of West Virginia we have these situations as well. It’s to be expected. And, really, it’s part of the thrill!
Another of the joys of biking: once you are in shape and your bike handling skills are honed, then you become as one with the machine and it’s a love affair. I have over 6000 miles on my current bicycle now, and each time we join company, I learn. I learn technique. I also add to the skill of mind control. Mind control is paramount. Without being able to shut out the struggle, you cannot have mindfulness. For me, mindfulness is being able to be within yourself and not be distracted by the pain, or the heat, or the rain, or whatever is preying on your mind, and to go within yourself and deal with the task at hand. This is why when Zachary insisted that I name my bike, I named it “Zen Master”.
Yes, it was a hot evening that had us guzzling water, and not stopping as we were perspiring at a copious rate. We rolled back into town with our lights on, darting around the post-winter potholes. We were running late, we overshot the civil twilight deadline by a half hour, but that gave us even more of a rush! There is something about riding in a city, in the dark, that perks up the excitement of a ride……do I dare say that it’s the danger factor? Naw, that would get tongues clucking, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that’s exactly what it is!
I love Bicyling!
We arrived at home exhilarated and too tired to write, so we watched an action packed super-hero movie and collapsed into bed……..Goodnight!
See the route at MapMyRide
Great write up and sounds like a fun ride!