Sometimes, as we push toward a bicycling goal we lose track of the real reasons we chose cycling in the first place. That's true whether it's a century goal like mine or a yearly mileage goal or a fitness-and-speed goal. We sometimes spend too much time with our heads down and miss the beauty that is all around us.
This affliction seems to become most acute in October. The cycling year is coming to an end. We want to grab one more century or cut n minutes off our time. And, as we all know, October is the most beautiful month of the year. So, I need to remind myself that it's important to pause and enjoy the ride.
I spent yesterday on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The foliage was a bit beyond peak, but there was still a lot of color. I love this ride despite the often heavy and inconsiderate traffic. It seems that every time you turn a corner you see another burst of rainbow colors. The late afternoon sunlight changes the hues of the forest as it glints from different angles. The photo is nice, but it does not do justice to the translucent glow from the leaves as the sun sets behind the forest.
You don't do a lot of miles on Skyline Drive. There's a lot of climbing and a lot of stopping to take pictures. But, a cyclist has a much better opportunity to take pictures along the drive than a motorist. The picture here was taken from a roadside grassy patch where a car can not stop.
So yesterday I paused to remember why I chose bicycling in the first place.
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