bike riding on a sunny day feels so good

whenever it rains I think about how, despite what you'd think, riding a bike in the rain is actually really nice. at least it is for me.

my rain jacket and goofy rain pants keep the rain off my body, and the rain that hits my face refreshes me. it helps me feel grounded; and smug, as I bypass standstill traffic.

the worse the weather, the better I feel sometimes. when the rain picks up, and a gust of wind decides to drop me down a few km/h, it makes me laugh; I don't know why.

but this summer so far--in between the rain and the cold snaps--we've had a good couple weeks of nice hot, sunny days; and it's reminded me just how damn good it feels to go riding on a sunny day.

sun on my skin, breeze up my top, nice dry roads I can afford to take extra risks on--one of the best feelings there is. it has me adding extra stops to my journey just for an excuse to keep riding. that everywhere I need to go is only minutes away suddenly feels like a double-edged sword when arriving at my destination means ending my ride.

I've gotten into Led Zeppelin lately--great riding music. I put on Led Zeppelin II for my ride to work on one of these recent beautiful days; and when I looked at my speedometer I realised I was going about as fast as I can go without the help of a steep hill. and bombing hills on the way back, fast rock music blasting in my ears? I felt cool as fuck.

I hope all of you reading this have been having a good summer so far (or winter, if you're in the Northern Hemisphere). if we get more of those beautiful hot days we have been getting, I am going to be having a very good summer indeed.

either way, I will be making the most of it, as next summer I will be recovering from a major surgery. it's an expensive affair, so if you happen to have room in your budget to help a girl's dreams come true, you can contribute to my surgery costs here.

remember to drink water.

--River