I was trying to avoid my paperwork and came up with this — hope you enjoy…
Ode to the Road
(penned by Val while trying to avoid her paperwork)
The day was here at long last
Weather’s good, road’s dry and fast!
Can’t wait to get that spandex on,
Or maybe I can… the winter’s been long…
My heart starts racing as cleat meets pedal,
My legs start the spin and I start to settle,
Can’t help the big smile; been waiting for this!
Wind whistling, tires humming; this is sheer bliss!
Familiar aromas meet me as I go,
Yup – pig barn and road kill uncovered by snow,
I ride by that yard with the bike chasing dog
He must be asleep – or tied to a log.
I look down at my speed – oh man! Am I slow!
After months on the trainer avoiding the snow,
But time’s on my side; it is only spring
By June or July, I’ll be back in the swing
Why do I love this? My friends just don’t get it,
Don’t know if I really can totally explain it.
Why torture yourself cycling into the wind?
My hands sometimes hurt…as does my behind!
But pushing my body to almost its limit,
Then a little bit more – there’s nothing like it!
Feeling the bike take off like a shot,
When I stand on the pedals and give all I’ve got.
When climbing that hill seems like torture unending,
The reward is then realized in the descending!
And when I get home, my energy spent,
I think of the ride, re-live the event,
Remembering the fun I had with my friends
And loving the fact I cycle mostly with men!