Today was a beautiful day. I visited with 5 friends in 3 different locations and got a 16 mile bike ride in – the ride I did the most often when I lived here -along Beach Drive into DC and back to North Bethesda. It was a bit chilly at the end of the day so I didn’t mind wearing a face covering for the warmth. It is amazing how many people out exercising – whether walking or biking are in masks – likely safer.
This hollowed out tree trunk has a specific memory for me. 3.5 years ago shortly after I started cycling, I got clipless pedals and shoes. This spot is about 5 miles from where I lived and I had made it this far on my first ride without incident – getting shoes in and out of the pedal a few times at stoplights. As I was riding across the street, a woman she asked me for directions. My intent was to stop and help her but I forgot I was clipped in. As I was rolling forward trying to disengage my shoe, I tipped into this tree. The tree was just in the right position to keep me from falling over as I worked to get my shoe disengaged from the pedal so I could put my foot down. I had this sense of impending doom and then great relief as I did not fall over. I was not able to give the women she wanted and she did not seem appreciative that I scraped my leg on the bark trying to help her. This tree kept me from getting more than scratches on my leg and it was sad to see part of it missing.
The neighborhood riding I am doing in Nashville is so different from the riding I was used to here. I was anxious to see how the ride would go today – as a marker of my Covid recovery. The ride felt great and I felt strong doing the 16 miles – like I could have easily done the route again.
I am content.
Tamara Unleashed 