Monday was a planned day off the bike to let my sub-par, crap, fat, aging, sagging body recover a bit from the following week’s efforts. It was also a chance to get some things done around the house, do some work on the Superfly and take in B-Man’s spring school concert in the evening. All that was done with an eye towards riding today: unfortunately that didn’t happen.
Instead I found myself waking up to cloudy skies and light drizzle, and even more tired and rundown than the day before. A check of the radar showed that there was going to be light rain through a good portion of my morning ride time window, but as long as it just stayed a light drizzle the ride was still on in my mind. Except that I could NOT get my mojo going. All I really wanted to do was wrap myself up in one of our Jake (the dog) scented blankets and go to bed.
A bike would go nicely on this trail.
I resisted returning to The Chamber of Farts for a day of unemployed dirt bag slumber, but I knew that there was no amount of coffee I could drink or methamphetamine enemas* that my anus could accept that would give me enough energy to ride as I wanted.
Not wanting to be a total waste of human flesh, I decided that I would go for a hike around Deerfield Park west of town. Hiking, I know right.
I enjoy hiking, especially with Wifey and/or B-Man but most of the time when I hike I always think about how much better the hike would be if I was on my bike. I’m getting better with it, especially since I’ve gotten a tad more into “picture-taking.”
I managed to put my “hiking is just walking” prejudices behind me and headed over to Deerfield Park to enjoy the awesome rainy and 55˚ May weather that Michigan presented us with today.
By the time I got to the trails the rain was coming down a little bit harder and I was happy that I brought a small back pack to stick my camera in. Why do I feel I’m getting closer and closer to finding it acceptable to wear a fanny pack? NEVER!!
Upon entering the Dagobah system I commenced looking for Yoda.
Once in the woods the rain wasn’t as noticeable and I just went about my business of walking, er HIKING around the park, finding the emergence of all the spring green much easier on the eyes than the last time I walked hiked around there.
Doing my best Georgia O’Keeffe impression with a pic of the gaping cervix tree.
A little under four miles later, I was done. Not physically but mentally. I was alone in the woods–save for the bearded old dude I saw foraging for mushrooms–and was ready to head home. I got a few good shots, burned a couple of calories and got out of the house. Hiking usually isn’t my first choice for physical activity, but it is nice to grab a camera, slow things down and see some of the woods that I don’t usually see when cruising along on my bike.
This frog was very cooperative with having his photo taken.
I was glad I went, but in hindsight a walk down the street to the local coffee joint for a pre-ride tripple espresso OR a walk in the other direction to try to score one of those methamphetamine enemas* may have been a better idea. Tomorrow and the rest of the week is looking a tad better for riding, as long as my energy comes back I am looking forward to taking advantage of that.
Later.