My memory is far from perfect, but I certainly cannot recall a better day for riding than today. When I began, at 9:15, it was sunny, calm, and 61°—when I finished, around 12:30, the sunshine and lack of wind persisted, and it was warmer, but not hot, at 77°
I rode, calmly, and with music running through my head that I just finished this morning (an Emerson Suite or three pieces for children's chorus and instruments, on texts by Ralph Waldo Emerson, namesake of Emerson School, where my wife Michelle teaches). I did three consecutive round trips to Marsh Park—26.3 miles, in 3:04
During my second time at the park, I had an interesting encounter. I was taking a short breather on the bench, and a woman who was there with her parents and her two young children told the kids, "I bet this neat bike belongs to the man sitting there." So I seized the opportunity to pull out my wallet and extricate a card I made up and had laminated last week for just such an occasion:
I have received many comments about my "cool bike." I cannot answer them, because I am mute due to damage incurred in a 1993 car accident. However, technically, it is a trike, having three wheels—a "recumbent" trike. And yes, it IS cool, and VERY comfortable. I am grateful for it, because balance issues stemming from the brain injury I received in that accident make it no longer safe for me to ride a regular bike.
Then before I left, I told her, "So far this year, 1100 miles." When she arched an eyebrow in surprise at this statistic, I said, "Last year, 3500." Surprisingly, she was unable to understand me, and asked, "500?" I vigorously shook my head, and, using my fingers, said, "NO—3500." At this, she said, "WOW! You keep busy." I shrugged and said, "I try." 😇
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