May 30, 2005 on 5:11 pm | In Abstractions |
Muscles tremble throughout my body, soon the quaking fibers will propel me, the anticipation will transform into adrenaline . Now my fingers attach the front wheel. An eager leg swings over the frame, foot meets pedal and I am hurled forward. The winding dirt road gives way to trailhead, a hallowed entrance into the deep forest beckons. The corridor is narrow, littered with rocks, roots of the passing trees snake across my path. The obstacles are a welcome challenge, the trail now heads toward an unseen horizon, up and up legs afire lungs heaving I go. Endless miles are covered in pursuit, the goal ahead a descent unseen by my eyes. Settled into a rhythm the climb is no longer foe, instead it becomes the companion of the wait. Atop the magnificent mountain the view is expansive, below me the trail slithers like a dragon, the descent either leading to the glory of the slay, or the pain of a scorching attempt gone awry. Either way the journey is all this traveler requires. The trees grab me with outstretched limbs, thorns and briars sink into my flesh, rocks jut from the ground rattling me to the core, mud spits onto my face and grits in my teeth. Blood tickles my extremities as my chain rattles, fueled by the water flowing down parched throat, my body heaves itself in delicate balance, switchbacks and obstacles are negotiated leading onward, Again the dirt road welcomes my now weary body, aching I turn to bestow the forest with a parting glance. My bicycle and I triumphant in today’s quest, the playground of my maturity to be visited again,
