Dan Action

Almost There August 25, 2007

I got my cx bike all together yesterday. The days leading up to it were hectic, stressful, and lonely, to be painfully honest. Work was at full tilt as I was so antsy to build up the bike, which was hinging more on Brian’s schedule than my own. Also the idea of racing tomorrow (Sunday the 26th) was looming closer still and I was nowhere near a ride-able bike even by Friday morning. Fears were assuaged when, on Friday afternoon I was there, at Circle A, turning a wrench or two setting up the new-ish ride. I decked the bike out with the new-fangled SRAM Rival shifting mechanisms. I will say that any worries I might have had about getting comfortable with a new shifting style were done away within the first five minutes of riding.

Today the day was spent in the woods riding bikes and eating huge sandwiches, two things I love very much. The newly equipped bike felt especially good under me, like a long friendship taking on new meaning. I, once again, felt fluid and maybe a little graceful at times. The ride ended with a swim in Carr’s Pond. If you’ve ever listened to Bruce Springsteen, it is a place very much like Greasy Lake, or the river in The River. Solitary, quiet, and beautiful, it is the type of place where the only access is by a ten minute walk over meandering trails. An old reservoir, the pond itself is nestled well into the woods. Only a few openings in the tree lined perimeter allow folks to get in the water, or allow the drama of adolescence to play out as it is, by nature, a perfect spot for under-age drinking, fires and promiscuity. This is what teen years burn for fuel.

No race tomorrow as my friend Mike, who offered to drive, opted for a more or less restful weekend. I’m writing this while enjoying a beer before putting myself to bed so as to go to Adam St.G’s yardsale in the early hours of the morning. I will ride in some woods tomorrow as well, it is what I love. Goodnight estranged friends, sorry I keep moving.