observations on a sunny day in Ottawa....

[kimba]

I was in Ottawa on the weekend for a conference.
Hoping to find work in my field- which apparently isn't gonna happen.Field is dead...

I took my bike. Downtown Ottawa, our nation's capitol, is a beautiful area to cycle- I grab my hotel room, park the van and cycle everywhere.
I took Elvira- I've got people stopping me and admiring her along the way- with her distinctive black/red paint scheme, big front fender, big fat 2.7 front tire and full on beefy shocks, she kinda stood out in a sea of older townie/roadie bikes....but she was my backup bike until I upgrade her components...so she's the one I take. I'm actually gonna rebuild my old mountain bike for this kind of trip in the future...
anyway:
I went to lock up my bike at the National Arts Centre- went to swing my leg over the saddle to step off- and wham! Sharp electric burning pains along my spine- and I can't stand up.
Muscle spasms. great.

So I manage to lock up my bike...and hobble over to the grassy hill that over looks the Rideau canal. Hoping the pain will subside and I can go into the conference.
and it is a warm beautiful day- which is strange- this is my 12th year coming to this conference- mostly it's time for jackets hats and scarves -and I've even had to buy gloves it's been so cold at this time of year --
and I am seized with the desire to just go for a ride...but I can't.
So I lay on my back in the sunshine- watching the clouds drift along lazily in the blue sky.
I finally tried to lie on my stomach to curve my spine back- that wasn't working, so I collapsed in the cool grass- and suddenly became aware of the wonderful aroma of it.
I stayed on that hillside for a long time.I watched the boats move silently along the canal- watched a kayak skim by - could see the old gothic architecture of the Parliament buildings...and listen to the Big Ben - like bell chimes on the hour ....
I saw all the cyclists go by- and I so want to join them - people following the canal- riding in pairs and singly- I watched a group of racers in full kit ride with confidence and fury up a hill and around/through pedestrians...
I watched mom's and kids go by with BOB trailers, and that cool frame thing that allows the child to pedal along behind their parents.
I saw seniors on their 30 year old bikes - with baskets and flowered hats!
I saw very few mountain bikes- but a wide range of townies and road bikes- and quite a few vintage bianchis and raleighs!
I saw an older couple - both ladies- in full kit- jerseys and shorts and shoes - one of them on a folding bike!! stop at the bottom of the hill that the road racers had ascended- and leisurely walk them up that hill.
Lots of folks in full gear- and even more in tees and shorts -
but all united in one purpose. To ride. Just to ride.
To take advantage of a miraculously warm fall day in Ottawa Ontario.

And I think that maybe I've missed the point of it all- it's not about having upgraded components, and big fat tires, and the full on cycling kits and shorts and jerseys and tights and worrying grimly about cadence and conditioning...
it's about just getting out on your bike and doing it- not worrying about your equipment, but rather
enjoying the sights and the sounds and the relaxation and the sun on your face...and your body just moving and just breathing - and the kinship of your fellow beings engaged in a shared activity.

And I think that hopefully I will carry that with me- and *make* time for these kinds of rides in the future.

I'm back home now- it took me 8 hours in the car- I have back spasms and can hardly walk upright- but ya know what the doctor said?
To take gentle walks and bike rides around the neighbourhood to help loosen my back muscles.
We still have sunny weather in the forecast so- once the pain subsides somewhat- I'm gonna do just that!

Kimba

[JanT]

Kimba, you did a great job describing the joys of riding. Hope you feel better soon and are out celebrating some nice long rides, on whatever two wheels you have!

[smurfalicious]

Amen to that! Today I was on my way to my mom's house, and getting a chuckle at this kid crossing the highway onto another road. He had a magenta step through that looked like he beat up his sister and took it, but it was cute as hell when he assumed that position and hopped the curb with ease. Gotta give him props there.

So today I rode for pure grins and giggles and I had a blast! And of course back in the parking lot, as I loaded Pony into my ghetto fabulous car, people had the nerve to look at me like I was beneath them. To which I say whatever, because today I was out there turning the pedals, over and over. So what if I'd rather have an awesome bike, than a shiny new car and a miserably payment for the rest of my life! Car runs, and the bike is so much more fun! As is the horse who aids in keeping me broke as well!

love and cookies
-smurf