After being quite active on Double Shot back in July, I ended up on a hiatus that lasted about 3 weeks. This wasn’t really planned but just kind of happened. Unfortunately, that is a pattern with me. I was raised (so it is pretty ingrained and part of my DNA) that one should not do anything for oneself, like reading a book, taking a snooze, watching a TV show, etc., if one does not have one’s chores completed and responsibilities fulfilled. This is both a blessing and a curse. My exercise program falls into that category of doing things for oneself. So, I end up in these cycles. Of course, this can’t be my fault, so, you can see, that I have chosen to assign blame to my heritage. During early August I fell into a period of other responsibilities and let the biking languish.
My perceived responsibilities changed, and I trundled Double Shot out of the garage early last Saturday morning. It was still dark at 5 am.but was really more that pre-dawn gray. I could tell the sun would appear very shortly so headed out without being concerned about the light. I also knew that Sharla’s would have freshly baked scones later in the morning so there was that bit of incentive as well. By the time I hit the Glacial River Trail at Storrs Lake Road (a mere mile from my garage) the sun, still a bit below the horizon, had lightened things considerably. The trail heading north from Milton was beautifully groomed, i.e. well mowed, grass cuttings swept off to the sides, very little litter, and hardly any animal excrement. The air was cool & clear, the sunrise was spectacular, I was feeling strong, & Double Shot was working well after a recent mini tune-up and lubrication. Perfect conditions for my mind to do its thing and help me regenerate, physically, mentally, & spiritually.
First, I went through my morning prayer list. This led me to think about nature’s (God’s) cycles. While the trail environment doesn’t look like “fall”, it is clearly showing signs. The Queen Anne’s Lace is dying down and the other ground foliage has more of that “end of season” look. There was no one out there – I had the Glacial to myself. Then this setting led my mind to thinking about the cycles of life. Things like age, careers, relationships, purpose, involvement, caring, and then all of those things in light of the state of the world. Who am I? What do I have to contribute that will make a difference? What do I value and believe in? What am I doing with my life? Where do I get a sense of purpose? And then it comes to me - the seeds of purpose are all around us.
Well, when your mind is doing these things while your eyes are overwhelmed with God’s creation, the miles slip by quickly. I was already at the parking/rest area across Highway 26 from the Stagecoach Inn. This is just over 6 miles from my garage. I felt strong and wanted to push on but I also realized I hadn’t been on Double Shot for 3 weeks and I still had to have enough strength to get home and there would be freshly baked scones at Sharla’s that I knew would not last long. So. I pulled in to sit on the picnic bench for a bit and stretch my back. This gave me a chance to do a short video clip from the trail (I have found that I like to do these and also know that people can choose to not view/listen to these clips if they are disinterested or feel that the clips are lame). These clips have added a piece of purpose to my psyche and help me connect with friends and acquaintances. Then I headed home. Clocked just over 12 miles round trip so was feeling righteous.
On the return, I got to thinking about Double Shot. He’s a great bike and is equipped with 28 gears. I was reflecting on the fact that I use about 3 of these 28 gears. Now, that’s just plain not smart. When a hill starts to be a challenge why not use the mechanical advantage for which I paid good money? So, I began to consciously use this great 2-wheeled machine much more in the manner for which it was designed. Amazing results. Now, I know all of this. It's not exactly rocket science. You probably don't, but I just get bogged down in habits and routines on occasion.
Then it hit me that I often don’t use the gears that life (God) has given me to overcome and effectively deal with the daily challenges along the way. God has given my life many gears. How am I using them to advantage, to leverage the other skills, abilities, and strengths that I have? How am I using the tools right in front of my face to help find my way through life’s challenges? Maybe I'm not and that could explain a lot of things.
As I pedaled into town – about 7:30, I popped my head in at Sharla's and was informed that the first batch of scones would be out of the oven in about 5 minutes. I pedaled home – about 50 yards – changed out some clothes and hoofed back to Sharla's. Enjoyed a nitro cold brew and a delicious, hot scone. Connected with several neighborhood & community friends. Had a nice long chat with LeAnn & with April. As it was closing in on time for virtual church, I hustled home bearing scones for Sue, Mandi, Leif, and Gus. It's always nice to be the hero.
Today, Sunday 8/16, was day 2 of my return to biking. Once again nice and cool this morning. Headed north again but once I hit the parking area across from the Stagecoach, I decided to reverse and head south of Janesville to review the Glacial section between Town Hall Road and Badger Veterinary. I had not been on this part of the trail for a long, long time, but was curious as there had been some Facebook chatter about the trail being overgrown and littered with matted grass and weeds. This chatter resulted in an official inquiry to the Rock County Highway Department who replied that this area was a designated butterfly habitat so there would be no mowing until fall / frost / or that sort of timing. Interesting idea and one which I support. Who knew? I probably missed an article in the paper or some meeting minutes or something. It doesn't seem that the bikers I know who use this section were aware of this habitat. This does make a bit more than a mile of the trail quite overgrown (narrow) and there is a significant accumulation of matted grass from mowing early in the season. This matted grass is always nasty for bikers as it flies up into your chain & gears and can be treacherously slippery when wet. (Do our lives have areas of matted grass?)
So there's the dilemma. Two great ideas but with potentially competing or opposing agendas. Rather the story of life wouldn't you say? I like the habitat idea. In a perfect world it would not narrow the Glacial, but our world is seldom perfect. I understand the need for the habitat. I understand the need for a clear bike trail, especially one free of matted grass. What to do? Weren't we speaking of purpose earlier in this post? Didn't we suggest that the seeds of purpose are all around us? Well, I could gather a couple of volunteers, maybe a grandson or two, take some flat shovels out there and carefully clear that matted grass without damaging the habitat. This would solve a great deal of the problem. Yes, it would be work, but it would also be great exercise in a very nice butterfly habitat area. It would be a couple of miles or more of walking but am I not always looking for steps? It would be driven from purpose and it would be a way to contribute a solution to this current issue – an issue which is understandable but somewhat aggravating. Hmm! I think I know the answer.
Finished my ride today by returning home via Town Hall, then Town Line, then Parkview Drive, the St. Mary St. to Campus St. and a quick down hill to home. Cranked off 18 miles total and, perhaps learned a few things as well.
Biking is such a good activity, exercising the mind and soul as well as the body. I highly recommend it, and the Glacial is such a great place to do it.
#glacialgleanings#cruzan4milton
