Personal Record

Tires checked, bag secure, laces tight and tucked. I ride out to warm up. The quads protest. Burning and painful my legs coaxing to wake up and get grooving. Pedal through the pain up to the grocer and the muscles settle down, come alive. On to the coffee shop and press harder. Testing my strength and sharpening focus. Keep it moving. Take a right head up hill for a pit stop at the church. Baptisms and funerals are all I have seen here. Forget that and focus. Gulp down some water and ride on. Easy downhill approach to the start. Keep the pedals moving and the quads warm.

Come around the corner and the light is green. Hit the starting line fast. Danger passing a turning van. Pedal hard, the path is clear. A car is parking and almost cuts in. Round the first corner. Uphill now and keep it steady. At the next corner a couple is crossing. Time it and pass behind them. Now on and on. The long back stretch. No bike lane here. Pedal and listen for cars from behind. No time for the law at the light. Twist in and cut the red. Keep it going one short street and the final turn. Done. Pedal slow and cool it down before heading home. 3:27