On the Trail vs. On the Road

Since the start of the school year fourteen days ago we have taken our bicycles to my children's school, morning and afternoon.  It has been an incredible stretch of weather in Vancouver and I hope it continues.  As mentioned in an earlier post being out in the morning air is an invigorating feeling and a fantastic way to start my day.  It creates positive energy, relieves me, gets my juices flowing.  The last few days we've been riding back through the forest trails that parallel the road we take to the school.  The feelings I have are multiplied by riding the trails as opposed to the road.

1) Winding vs. straight
2) Bumpy vs. smooth
3) Cooler vs. cool
4) Fresher smells vs. fresh smells
5) Greenery and brownery vs. metal and asphalt
6) Requires 100% attention vs. 90% attention

Riding the trails my arms shake, my legs vibrate, my eyes are darting around looking for tree roots, rocks, branches, dogs or joggers as I round a corner, go down a hill, up a hill.  It awakens me.  It makes me feel that much more alive.  It requires your full attention and, at the speed I ride, give me a bit of a thrill as well.  The forest breathes out amazing fresh air which I breathe in, taking deeper and deeper breaths as I get more and more tired.  Awesome.  A nice commute.  I hope that as this stretch of weather ends I'll continue to take to two wheels in the forest.

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