20 July 2011 Ride: Crack of Dawn

On some other morning if I awoke at 4:20, I probably would have tired to steal a bit more sleep.  But knowing that I had a busy day ahead, I got up and quickly prepared for the morning ride.  By 5:10 I was ready to go.  The morning was very pleasant and when I rode down into valley the temperature drop was very noticeable.

The days are definitely getting shorter as sunrise keeps being almost 2 minutes later each morning.  But that just makes it easier for me to enjoy my favorite time of the day when the eastern horizon is showing the first hints of light. 

It always feels as if I am at the beginning of time when the Universe was just forming.  Everything is so quiet and still and the sky slowly lightens with deep purples and azure blues.  All it takes is for a meteor to go streaking across the sky to make the scenario complete; my heart leaps and a broad smile stretches across my face at the sight.  No shooting stars this morning but awesome  nonetheless.

At one point, odd colored birds streaked low across my path.  One appeared to have black and white stripes just like a skunk and it was rather eerie wondering if it was bird or mammal zipping by.  More birds and now I could catch a phosphorescent blue in the light of my headlamp.  The color seemed unreal and magical and I felt as if I was in an animated Disney movie.  One was actually on the pavement as I neared and I was able to catch it just as it was flying off.

 It seemed crucial that I photographed one as if to prove I wasn't making the experience up.

The sky continued to lighten into a bluish-white wash; no spectacular sunrise this morning. 

A loop I sometimes take involves going up Sassafrass.  If I'm not awake before reaching this road I certainly will be once I've ridden it as it has one of the steepest inclines I've encountered.  At the bottom of the road are two canines I've befriended.

At the top is an Airedale which I've only seen from the distance on several occasions.  This morning I could hear him barking as I worked my way up the hill and knew he would be waiting for me at the top.  I've known Airedales to be a bit unpredictable and I have been bitten by one.  I wasn't on a bike; I was walking across a courtyard at Hampshire College and this Airedale just jaunted across the yard and decided to bite my calf.  Not a serious bite and the owners were totally taken aback.
So, it was with some trepidation that I stopped at the top of the hill and called him over.  He seemed friendly enough and he allowed me to pet him but I never fully trusted him. 

Carol and Rachel update.  They were able to get on a flight today that takes them to JFK-Atlanta and then here, arriving around 11:00 PM.  They were supposed to have landed in JFK 2:00PM EDT but it is now 2:00 CDT and I have not heard from them.  Hmmm.

Today's Ride:  1hr 47mins.  20.05 miles. 75 degrees.  Miles YTD:  4,616.60

To see older postings, search the Archives listed on the right had panel.

To see postings before 11 June 2011, please go to www.mylifeasabike.blogspot.com