Fun Part II

No, not a sequel to the movie starring Alicia Witt.
There are days like today, when I just ride around without looking at the evil computer. I have become a slave of sorts to that digital display; looking for answers and constantly being denied.
Today I broke free.
Today, I rode around on my regular route and actually looked at things as I passed by. I looked into peoples driveways, into their garages and noticed what kind of cars they drove.
Well, there is one house that I always take notice of: three Toyota Prius' parked side by side in a two car garage. Different colors, always in a tight line. Now that is a statement. What it is saying I haven't quite figured out yet.
Anyway, today I decided to smell the roses so to speak and take a look around at the things that I am usually passing by with sweat in my eyes while gasping for air.
I had a great time even while gasping for air.
The best part was I saw someone I know on his bike.
I saw him a couple of weeks ago while stopped at Tamura's in Aikahi Park Shopping Center. He had graciously allowed me into his classroom to observe and participate. This was two years ago while I was still working on my certification.
So we stood there in front of Tamura's and talked about teacher stuff and he mentioned to me that he was going to start riding his bike.
The thing is, everyone says that when they see/hear that you ride a bike.
Well, there he was, riding his bike and he was a fair distance from home. He looked like he was having a good time.
He said he was six rides in and he was already putting on more distance than I was.
We chatted a bit then sped off to finish our rides.
His image though, stayed with me.
He was me, one year ago Just Riding Around (JRA) having a good time. He did purchase a cycling computer (someone help him!) so that may not last.
I could feel what he was feeling though. I remember riding around, enjoying the fact that I wasn't watching another re-run of Law & Order while sitting on the couch eating Doritos. I remember the newness of it all; the pain of pedaling uphills, finding the right gears, the sweat dripping off the end of my nose. I remember how I felt when I got home knowing that I had done something I had never done before.
Seeing him out there, embracing cycling, made my day.
Today, I didn't care about how fast I was going, how many miles I went or how fast I was pedaling.
Today, I had fun.

On a side note: why do Nacho Doritos make your fingers all orange? Can't they do something about that?