Cross-training in spring includes the “forced” opportunity to ride my bicycle on the country roads in Sonoma and Napa counties. Today I road about 25 miles: from our house, out Denmark Road to Burndale Road, to Dale Road, to Ramal Road across the Napa County line (clearly delineated in large white letters on the road and evidenced by better paved road with marked bike lane) along Duhig Road to Caneros Winery, and then back home.
The wildflowers, mustard, poppies, daffodils and narcissus are popping (pardon the almost pun), the vines are starting to burst with tiny buds on the tips, the hard-working crews are finishing early spring pruning. The cows and sheep munch the freshly-green grasses totally oblivious to a sole rider passing quietly by. Oh, and the temperature was in the mid-sixties!
I am starting to get the rhythm of the road as I begin training for a week-long bicycle trek in September (Cycle Oregon). Not only does my body get exercised, but the long easy pace is the perfect tool as I consider new projects, rework sentences, think about books to read or re-read, really, whatever creeps to the forefront of my mind.