FIERY SUN FITNESS

In the fast paced society we live in I finally made time to go for my first bike ride of the season last weekend.  I had some things I wanted to get to like gardening, sleep- my ever ending feat, my volunteer job or my business.  But, I decided instead of always working, I needed to do what was right for me- bike. 

I wanted to start my first ride of the season on the Mt. Vernon trail, it’s close to home and I needed to take time to think about the journeys I’ve had on the trail.  It was my first trail I ever went on when I started riding long distances.  The trail leads you into many paths in and around the DC area.

It had been about a year since I was on the trail.  I hosted a dear friend’s funeral in September 2008.  He lived in the DC area for 30 years, many of his friends shared stories and photos of his life.  I first came to the trail when I started biking with my friend in 2001.  I wore my Ben & Jerry’s bike jersey on our first and coincidentally our last bike trip on the trail. 

As I rode down the hills, I thought of my friend riding down the hill, flapping his arms up and down like a bird balancing on the bike.  Who in the world does this?  I always laughed, rolled my eyes and was envious of his balance.  He also told me not to rely on my brakes so much.  I still use them too much and I can still hear him complaining each time I use them.

I had my first accident on the trail Veterans’ Day 2007 when I was riding up the last portion of the trail to the parking lot.  I was training for my first duathlon (biking and running) which was 6 days away.  I was behind a mountain biker who managed to avoid the hug log covering the path which wasn’t there when I started.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t graceful enough to bypass the rocks without falling, catching the chain guard into the back of my knee.  Eek!!!

I composed myself enough to walk my bike up the hill, crying and bleeding in front of strangers who were very helpful.  One of the guys called an ambulance for me, the EMTs cleaned up the grease from my leg, suggesting I go to the emergency room.  I got to the emergency room only to meet my Dr. who’s a triathlete.  It was nice to meet someone who had the same drive I do, understanding how important this race was to me.  The nurse cleaned out my wound with solution creating a fountain as it shot up and out of my wound.  My husband shot some video of the event on his phone.  I never realized that my body could create a fountain.  The Dr. assured me that I could participate in my duathlon the next week.  Later that week I was good to go, taking a few spin classes prepping for the event.

Last weekend’s ride helped me get through some of the tough moments I’ve had on the trail whether it’s having an accident, loosing a friend or the continuous use of my brakes while riding down hill.  Some of our journeys may be like my roller coaster rides I’ve had on the Mt. Vernon Trail.