One element of my commuter repertoire that I had been missing until early this morning is Cat 6 racing. For those who don’t know, Cat 6 racing is impromptu racing among any riders. You make your own start and finish or ride without any. This morning a young women on a steel road bike passed me in the dark of pre-dawn.
Passing is a call to challenge. Game on. I quietly closed the gap that had developed between us and passed her with trailer and all and held until she turned off onto another street. The experience was invigorating as I pushed myself hard but not too hard.
The path taketh and giveth. I’m not crazy but recently the taketh and the giveth of the bike path has turned in my favor. I’ll explain. Late last year I lost a nice sport cap commuting when it fell out of my trailer. But in recent weeks I serendipitously found a nice black cap and a great grey hoodie on the same path on separate occasions. I’ve washed them and they are like new.
I’ve been commuting for a number of years and I have grown to see and to sense the bicycle path in a unique light. It really is a dear and special place free of cars with precious quiet where one can commune with and observe dear nature.