the prodigal cyclist returns

There’s one week left till the start of AIDS/LifeCycle (eek!!).

Since coming back to California, I have been attempting to expiate my imprudently long hiatus from cycling with a series of short rides featuring long and gruelling hills.

On Friday, I did something different. A long ride, along the same route I took before heading to South Africa (rest assured, there were still gruelling hills). At 62.99mi (101km), I was feeling achey but strong, powered, in part, by half an Italian [sandwich], a raisin oatmeal cookie and two Cokes from the Elk Store, which I’d managed to get to before closing time, praise be. Climbing a hill on the homestretch, an attempt to change gears went awry—I almost toppled over as the chain came unhitched. Attempts to return it to its rightful place (as trucks and RVs the size of the Space Shuttle blasted past) were unsuccessful.

Fortunately, this afternoon, my friends Liza and Elia were able to coax the chain back to its rightful place. I’m over the moon — their intervention saves me a trip to the bike shop (the nearest is ~90 minutes away) and means I can sneak in a couple more training rides before the big day.