Alive and more alive part 2

Monday, I rode to work, and along the way, dropped off an application for an apartment that I saw Saturday in Georgetown. Riding makes me so happy. When I was a graduate student here a long time ago, I had a stint as a bicycle courier one summer. Easily the most exciting job I ever had. Since I was paid by the job, I went as quickly as I could (as did all couriers). It was very dangerous: in that short time working, maybe 10 weeks, I ran into a taxi and grazed a pedestrian. Cut my arm pretty badly hitting the taxi, but didn't get hurt or hurt the pedestrian I grazed.

I was much more of a hot dog then; but I still run red lights whenever no cars are coming on the cross street. I don't go down one-way streets the wrong way: that's something I never did.

So, back to the present. At lunch I rode to see another apartment, and then a quick ride home, and then back to work. Of course, I rode home.

How do I explain the feeling I have when I ride? It's freedom, it's speed, it's the wind in my face, it's a competition with myself. It's being part of the world. It's an expression of thankfulness for my continued good health. It's loving the world, and all its ups and downs and smooth roads and potholes. The head winds and tail winds. The smooth roads, the gravel, the alleys, the streets. Feeling the sun and the shade.