My mind is a whirlwind. The best thing to do with a whirlwind mind is to keep it busy. Don’t let it think. Thinking is bad. Thinking gets one into trouble. Maybe that’s why so many people from so many places have called me that. True story.

Last night, I solicited a response from someone. This morning, I knew that response would be promptly waiting for me. I knew what to expect, and I didn’t want to deal with it, so I did the best thing possible. I rode my bike.

I kept my computer off. I did not want a part of that. I opted to watch a little television while eating my breakfast. I got my cycling gear together and put the front wheel on Jake. As I was doing this, I found something that I took as a sign that today was going to be a great day. This also means that last night was the perfect night for soliciting that response.

What did I find? Well, I have this cute little riding skort that doesn’t quite fit me. Sure, I could wear it, today, and be fine, but I knew I couldn’t do everything I wanted and still be comfortable, so I ultimately did not wear it. As I was making adjustments to the skort, I realized I had a back pocket that was bunched up. I put my hand in it to straighten it out and pulled out a $20 bill! HELLO!

Bike p0rn. (Jake the Snake with Di wearing that little skort, last year.)

I finished getting dressed and headed out on Jake (the Snake – Kona cyclocross bike that is a sweet green color. Yeah, drool, baby, drool.) Jake and I headed down my gravel driveway and road, and I opted to take the slightly longer paved route to town. I took my usual route around the hospital to meet up with US-41 at the bottom of Quincy Hill. I hopped on the road and chased cars through Hancock.

One guy pulled out in front of me. This jerkwad in a pickup truck made me, a cyclist, slow down. I rode into the passing lane and alongside this guy for part of the stretch. I finally got back behind him when he was going a satisfactory speed, and I caught his draft up a little hill and onto the bridge. As I was following him, I passed another guy. It was a little crazy, today, because there was a lot of traffic, but I love racing cars through Hancock. Call it a death wish, but it can be so satisfying.

I cut under the Portage Lift Bridge and took the bike path to Ferrelgas, where I got a quote for my next little propane payment. I hopped back on the path and rode into a very strong headwind until I reached The Library. Yeah, you know which one. I gently set Jake up against the wall and a flower pot and went inside. I had lunch with Lindsey and Andy. It was fun. I used that $20 bill to purchase a club sandwich and a boatload of iced tea. I was just a wee bit thirsty.

After filling my belly with tasty goodness, I decided to ride back into that headwind, up onto the Portage Lift Bridge, and onto White Street. White Street is a horrible road that goes up, up, and up some more. It hurts. Combined with the rest of Quincy Hill up US-41, it is a feat that any cyclist should be proud to conquer. Today, I conquered it for the first time; well, the first time this year. I rode it a lot last year.

I headed home, turned on the computer, got the response I expected, and decided to channel my disappointment into…you ready for this?…another ride.

More bike porn. Di’s Jamis.

I loaded my Jamis into the Pathfinder and headed for the Michigan Tech Trails. I ran into my friend, Terry, and we did a technical ride: Time Trial, Hairy Toad, Barking Frog, and the Dragon Loop. I got Terry to try a few stunts. He also ate some thimbleberries. My thimbleberry fell to the ground as I tried to find it with my gloved hand. No thimbleberries for Di.

Any beautiful summer day filled with two bike rides and friends should be finished with, well, dessert. I headed to Taco Bell and Dairy Queen. I ate my turtle sundae on the way home and my nacho while writing this.

Yeah, today turned out to be much better than I had anticipated. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself into a whirlwind.
____________________

Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner
Lose weight and ride faster and stronger