Out of the East

Even as the last days of summer disappear into the west, another day and a new season are born in the east. Tomorrow is the first day of autumn. I can truly say that I have spent the entire summer on the bike. It's been quite a journey both in the physical distance travelled and the inner peace I found there.

The exertion required clears my mind and frees it to consider the world around me instead of the world of CNN. The hawk circling in the field becomes more important than the latest Great Fear they would have me worry about. The smells, sounds and even the taste in the air have marked the changing seasons. I began this journey in the spring and for the moment have ended it in the fall. I began it in anger and have ended it at peace.

On Friday I have to go in to get the last of my teeth extracted so it's doubtful I'll feel much like riding for a while. This is Calgary however and anything's possible as far as October's weather goes. Maybe there will be more to this saga.

Some people think they have to travel vast distances to 'get away from it all.' In all, I rode no more than fifty to sixty kilometers each time I went out yet I still managed to put it all behind me with each stroke of the pedals. The world beyond the bike path simply did not exist. For four hours every week I escaped. It's not where you go so much as how you get there.