One Rose

Kevin had a Scuba class today so I was on my own to load up my bike, helmet and the other essentials needed for the ride. I arrived at Bruegger’s around 8:40. The lines were more than 3 deep for coffee and even longer than that on the bagel side. I knew it was going to be a good day for a ride not because it was sunny and 45 degrees, but because I finally knew the answer to the Trivia Question for 10 cents off my large half-caf. The question was: Toy and recent film whose motto was “More than meets the eye.” Surprisingly enough I was informed I was one of only 2 who had gotten it right! I doctored my coffee and headed for the bagel line. I gnawed half of the bagel, took 2 Aleve and washed them down with my half-caf. I’m ready. Where’s everyone else? Jae, Sarah, Beth, Pinky, the Chihauhua, Tim the tool man, the spitfire Sparano’s, … I knew the Claytons were heading to Prague so they were MIA. OK well 9:05. I did one last pit stop and said “I’m riding!”. No arguments! On colder days snuggled in a warm Caribou chair the argument would have easily resulted in leisurely breakfast and a warm drive back home.
I donned my bike apparel including a new jacket purchased just that Monday on a shopping spree at Performance. At 45 degrees and rising I would surely be shedding it at some point early in the ride. Off I went, the lone rose.
Man! everyone was out today, cars and tons of biker’s and runners! I figured I would go the usual path to Upchuck and then decide from there how far I wanted to go. I knew I would not have much of a chance to exercise tomorrow, so better make it a good distance today. Without the other Roses to spark conversation my head just wondered to other pressing matters. I needed to clean up the yard and it would be a good day for that. I had to do laundry and then pack for my business trip to Toronto. I needed to put away all the bedding from the Improv Invasion last week. Not to mention a number of work tasks that have piled up this week. Most matters were solved somewhere between Greenhope HS and the top of Upchuck, but I knew I would have trouble recalling what the solutions were with the same clarity once I got home.
The top of Upchuck I stopped to strip, blow nose and decide which way next. The new jacket folded into its own pocket exposing a waste strap. The tights covering my bike shorts and unshaven winter white legs had to go as well. I stuffed them in the pouch, fastened it around my waste and took a swig of water. It was quite breezy, so far I had been battling a slight head wind and turning towards Lake Jordan would be directly into the wind. Better to go with the headwind first and then I will be pushed on the return! Good strategy. I headed right, out past Mt. Pisgah church, left on Farrel and then right at the T all the way to 721. I past the refurbished boat, which looked very close to being ocean ready and the nursery which seemed ready for the Spring planting frenzy. With the exception of an occasional clearing, the trees on the side of the road sheltered me from the full force of the wind, The left turn on to Farrington was a partial relief. Then I tacked left onto Horton’s Pond, sat up in my seat and let the tail wind enhance my acceleration. Nice! Payback for all the work. I floated back to 721 with the bliss only interrupted by an A**hole in a white pickup, who came speeding by within inches of my elbow! There was no one else on the rode! I contemplated the rant I would inflict on him if I was ever given that opportunity. Soon I was back to Green Level and took the right all the way to Green Level Church Rd. I then took a left into the wind and up hill so I could come in on Green Hope School Rd. I lifted my bike over the NO Trespassing RR tracks, stretched a bit and knew the wind would be my friend the remainder of the ride. I made it back to Bruegger’s before noon with close to 35 miles at a 13.8 average (good for a rose by any name). It was a sweet ride for this one rose.