28 July 2011 Ride: Eclipsed Again!

The 4:15 wake up call was not appreciated this morning.  Nothing to rush off to and no reason to wake up that early other than my body saying, "time to wake up."

I moved slowly and sluggishly, taking a good hour to get ready before I drove down to Habberton Rd.  Another beautiful morning with a slightly thinner crescent moon hanging above the eastern horizon.  Yes, I took a picture of it yesterday morning, but this time I steadied the camera on the roof of the truck instead of the bike seat and was able to get a clearer image.  Amazing, two eclipses two mornings in a row.

What is there about getting on a bike that excite the senses so instantaneously?  I lingered for a moment looking at the moon and the landscape before mounting my bike and then once on the same views took on a heightened exhilaration.  I think it may be that cycling takes one as close to flying a person can get without leaving the ground.

An image I had this morning as I rode with the sky transforming from twilight to dawn was of the universe going through a rebirth with every sunrise.  All knowledge, all creation seals itself away during the night and then with sunrise, like a flower unfolding, our Earth goes through all that it has learned and experienced and grown up until the day before.  With the rising of the sun, we are ready to add to that past knowledge.  This, of course, happens so quickly that we are totally unaware of it.

 I don't often pass other cyclists on my rides in the morning.  Today, besides the two above, I also passed another lone cyclist.  He came up quickly behind me and with his long legs that seemed manufactured precisely for biking, he zipped right by me.  Whereas with the couple above, I was able to keep pace with them for a short bit. 

I had no trouble keeping up with this car.  

 It's not too early to think about getting ready for winter.  And, I figure cutting wood when it's 96 out is perfect for getting ready for the 24 hour ride. 

Today's Ride:  1hr. 48mins.  21.13 miles.  77 degrees.  Miles YTD:  4,834.59

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