Dawn Ride

I got up this morning to squeeze in a bike ride before work. The stars aligned just right so that my brother, who is staying with us, could watch the kids before he headed for work since M is off at 6:40. I was out the door at around 6:35 am. Still not quite light, but not pitch black anymore. I headed for my familiar 11 mi out and back with a little loop thrown in the middle. It runs right along Alameda Creek, into Coyote Hills Regional Park, along the San Francisco Bay and back home.

I saw no other bikers on the trail. A few walkers were sprinkled here and there, but I was cruising on my own. It was cold and, though I had thought ahead and dressed in layers, my hands and feet got chilly. No matter. It was time to pedal. Usually, I'm watching out that I don't run into somebody else. It was liberating to just go for it and have room. Not that I'm going at Tour de France speeds but still...

As I rounded the hill to head back home, I saw the sun peeking over the hills, a bright orange-red slice in the sky, and I smiled. This was totally worth it. In that moment, I felt like I could have ridden on forever. But it was time to get back to the kids, get ready for work, get going.

The good feeling stayed with me all day.