Or?

I’ve been in Oregon for some time. The weather is gorgeous, and the forests are thick.

95% of my riding has been variations of the same ride, but fortunately it’s a good one. A not-so-subtle reminder of how getting out and throwing a leg over a bike (any bike) serves as a release and stable grounding. I actually started riding for precisely this sort of reason, when I was ~13. The other virtues were discovered later, and the exploration continues.

Usually I’d sneak in 1.5 hour rides wherever I could. I got out most days, and at first I was glad for the ‘easy’ rides, in aid of recovery from the last Scott/Mike trip.

As ‘easy’ as the trail could be on a 7-speed Haro hard tail, purchased for one hundred ninety six dollars (out the door, brand new). Getting my heart rate up wasn’t a problem, despite the ~500 foot elevation. It was actually quite fun to ride such a “handicapped” bike. But after two weeks, I sure was missing my Leviathan.

I brought the camera on one ride, and had some fun taking pics of random things.

Later on, I met up with some friends to do a longer ride, on a borrowed bike. Good trails, good friends, and plenty of smiles. More reminders of why I got into this sport.

Back on ridgeline, the sun is setting on Mt. Pisgah, and I’m struggling to avoid the poison oak on both sides of the trail. There were other dangers, too — a dog ran up and bit me in the shin for no reason. The owner said I should have “warned” him that I was coming. How about a leash for your aggressive dog?

It’s been a hard, but worthwhile time. I can imagine few situations in life that are more challenging and with so much at stake. But I have hope for the future. The effect on my psyche has been real and unreal. The human mind is a complex thing, and its nature has been the subject of many conversations and moments of thought.

Paula and I are packing up to leave Manitou Springs, homebound to Tucson. It’s been great to hit a few favorite rides here in “the Springs” before heading south. No second attempt at Pikes, but the Behemoth got a workout at Palmer Park yesterday. There’s nothing like full focus riding to take your mind off things, in an ever-so-good way.