Clear Skies, Empty Roads

There's some saying that goes like this: "Life should not be measured in how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away." After today, my life measures quite a bit larger, with one big, 5 hour breathless moment. That's how great my ride felt.

When I tell people that I'm in Spain, riding a bike, sometimes they wonder what is wrong with me and sometimes they're jealous. Those that are jealous usually imagine days like I had today: epic views of the Mediterranean, smooth black roads that wind through deserted towns set between large rocky outcroppings or placed neatly on the side of a valley. The town's largest building, the church, sits white and prominent in the bright sunlight and always catches your eye as you look out over green valleys. And in the drier spots, as you curve along canyon walls coming from one hilltop and on your way to the next, feelings of solitude and contentment really sink in. Just you, your bike, the blue sky, and the road.

Today my legs felt great. I felt like a cyclist. It felt like up until today, I had only been pretending, but now I had something real in my legs. Some tough stuff. Whether or not that's true remains to be seen, but being able to smoothly blow through a strong 5 hour ride really builds confidence.

Sorry for no pictures, but on harder days like today there's no real opportunity for dilly-dallying with the camera. My pockets are usually stuffed full: extra tube, tire levers, two small sandwiches with that stale bread and jelly, a small sandwich with white bread and nutella, some graham crackers, and then gloves and a hat. When it's too warm to wear my vest, I take it off, roll it up, and stuff it under my shirt behind my back. I was able to do that while riding today! And I also practiced peeing while riding. It's difficult, but it works. :)

A shout out to Crosby Freeman who just found out he got a stress fracture in his metatarsal. Hope he recovers quickly and can use his 1:05:55 half marathon speed again soon!