So I missed cycling, but there are things I’d do better after this morning. I would do better, but I probably won’t because apparently I’m not good at learning a valuable lesson. Alas.

So it was dark, as is the way of these early morning departures. It was also six degrees celsius. That’s fine. I’ll survive. I’ve been through worse. Don’t need to wear a jacket, I’ll be fine.

Not wearing a jacket was not a good idea.

I did warm up, but not enough to sweat which is fine. My fingers were not happy, however, and even though they are warmer and have been warmer for a a couple of hours now, they’re still feeling it a bit and I fear they’ll be feeling it for a while.

But anyway, I hopped on my bike and cycled down to Cooks River, and followed it all the way to Tempe station. I missed a turn at one point which took me down a rather rough path for a bike with a lot of weight on it, and it was a concern due to my not having spare tubes on me. It also wasn’t a bike path, so that’s on me. But it did feel adventurous.

It was a cold ride and a quick ride, and I almost missed my train. Had to do a bit of a burst of power when I was near, and almost missed my train, but I didn’t and that was good.

Back in 2008 there was a period of time when I was leaving home at around five in the morning to get to work at six. I was starting at seven and finishing at around three. I’d hop on my bike and cycle to Burwood station, and it was very cold. I’d get there and I’d hop on the train, and as I warmed up I’d feel my fingers tingling as they warmed up, and I always liked the feeling. I also liked the low traffic. I’m fairly certain I wasn’t on the road much anyway, but it was still nice. This sense of quiet was always pleasant.

I sort of had that this time around. Some people walking about, not many cars once I was at the river, and it was just pleasant. But it was a bit of a rush and it felt like a dream, almost. It didn’t feel real, and I’m not feeling it yet either. I’m sure that will come soon, however. But it was nice.

It was nice to be going along Cooks River again, and it was nice to have so much of the place to myself. I could’ve gone faster, but I’ve been off the bike for a while and I was carrying a lot. But things will change and I’ll keep on getting faster. I’ll keep working on the bike, getting it back to being fully functional. I’ll keep doing my early morning rides, because cycling is something I’ve missed. I’ve missed the art of the ride.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 07:40:92

Okay speed. Writing’s a bit flat, but I think it gets something across. Not sure what, but it’s definitely something.

Written at Dirty Red.