Smelling the roses

After a few weeks recovery time, I resumed my cycling work commute. I also did a long ride yesterday. I had a craving for butter tarts so decided to head to Oakville and a friend joined me. It's always so much nicer to have someone with you, especially if they go a the same pace. It was also nice to be able to share some memories of the bike rally.

I also tweaked my work commute, I now leave 10 min earlier and take my time. I keep the gear low but upped my cadence so still cover the same distance and my knees are feeling happier because I don't push like crazy all the time. And bonus, it takes me less time. Who knew?? There is something to be said about cadence, it took me a while to "geddit"...

When I was training for my running races, one thing that was instilled in me was "take the time to smell the roses". It's not the Olympics. Stop and take a photo, a break, eat something, hug someone or just marvel in what you're accomplished. Of course, when you cycle in a group, it's a heck of a lot easier to do this than when you're on your own.

It's been one of my biggest complaint about the bike rally. All throughout the training, it was all about "the bike rally family". You were having a bad ride, there was someone with you. You could post about bonking or issues or just to vent and there would be tons of people supporting you, giving you advice and telling you not to worry. The motto was we are looking for each other, we are protecting one another. However, as I sadly discovered during the rally, the family had other commitments, it was MIA. I felt abandoned. One thing I loved during the training rides were the riding coaches that were spotting the new riders and making contact with them. I didn't see one of them during the bike rally. Of course, me sporting a Y2 on my license plate was probably misleading and I really should have changed it when I got it replaced so people coming from behind me and seeing the year, unless they knew me, would assume that I was not a new rider therefore didn't need help. That's the only explanation I want to think about. The other one "people not caring too much" keeps popping up though... sad isn't it? And as for asking for help, I couldn't do it, everyone was so much in their bubble or hiding it.

So while I was stressing about the whole affair and basically breaking down the days into manageable chunks (to first break/second break/lunch/third break/camp repeat next day), I completely forgot to smell the roses, I completely forgot about stopping to take photos or a break. I completely forgot about enjoying it. And that is one of my biggest regret.

I plan on doing a cycling vacation next year and you can be sure that I WILL stop, smell the roses, take photos, take so many selfies, there will be more selfies on my phone than cat photos... meanwhile I will continue to hit the road and do as many long rides as I can until the weather forces me indoors.

This is my promise to myself I will never forget to smell the roses again.