I was not sure what to expect. It has been a while. Riding the bike again was a total adventure. I did have hesitations at first. I mean wouldn’t you be worried about things like getting the right balance back and also the thought of riding through slushy dirt roads of Vermont when you have not been riding for a while?

I am glad I remembered to get my bike tuned up. It’s a hassle to wait until you want to ride to make sure everything’s in working order. A strong, efficient, and sturdy bike is very important. And how does one keep it sturdy? It is making sure that everything is perfectly right. That means that all parts must be checked and tuned up. And this goes with the rider as well. You can’t just go out there and start riding without that sense of readiness. Yes, a little exercise or stretching can go a long way.

I admit I was a little scared. I had not been riding the whole winter. If wondered if my balance was ok.  At first, it felt a little precarious as I settled on the saddle, found the pedals, and pushed off.  But then, I found it!  The harmony of the body and the spirit.  That’s what I love about riding.

Sixty seconds into the ride, I was “back in the saddle,” so to speak.  I felt right at home, and even excited as I cruised past the flowers coming up here and there, the joggers, walkers, and other cyclists.  And I remembered, THIS is why I bike.