Simple Pleasures

So yesterday, I got about as philosophical about riding a bike as I will get. The post was a little self-indulgent, but true nonetheless. Today my feelings on why we do this trip, though unchanged, are also a little jaded by a difficult day. With heavy legs, Brennan and I set out this morning from High Island, TX with grand ideas of making it to Port Arthur, TX in record time. The sky was overcast, the wind was at our backs and all was going well until about mile 18 - our paved road turned to gravel (not unlike last year's ride), I got a flat tire as a result, and then we hit some pavement that felt like we were riding on a rumble strip (that bumpy thing in the shoulder that makes noise under your tires when you cross the yellow line). For those of you who have never ridden on rough pavement it is like riding in mud. It slows you down 5-10 mph depending on how bad. But, I digress. Hey, that's what we signed up for. A little rain-saoked, we made it to Port Arthur right as the lunch places were opening up, and found a quaint little mom and pop seafood deli called Lil Kim and Big H's (a nice ring, no?). More to come on that in Ryan's blog...more poor luck continued.

After an hour of eating, refilling, and re-lubing, we headed out for the second half of the day, an easy 35 or so miles to Holly Beach, LA. Not. So. Easy. The sun was out, no clouds, wind at our sides and slightly in our faces, and hot very, very hot. A different kind of hot though, like riding in a sauna. I don't think I underestimated the heat, but I definitely overestimated my preparedness for it (my wife was right). As we rode our refreshed legs soon became tired and heavy and the heat began to take a toll, and one thing popped into my mind, a quote by JFK, "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike." Normally, John, I would agree with you, but I doubt he has ridden 85 miles through Louisiana in July. As my I pedaled, my anger for JFK's comments grew, as did the pain in my/our legs. We decided a break was needed and sought refuge beneath the piles of an abandoned beach house. To our surprise there was a picnic table (a little bird poo-ridden, but it would do), and we proceeded to plop down. Then we proceeded to lay down, and enjoy one of the simple pleasures that JFK overlooked - the nap. There are few things that give me more pleasure than an afternoon nap. Perhaps, the former President's quote was just missing a part because the bike ride and the nap go hand in hand...or at least they did today.

A call from Ryan, wondering where we were woke Brennan and I up about 15 minutes into our nap, but that was enough. That little respite from the sun, from the ride, from consciousness gave us what we needed to finish the last 19 miles, at which time, we took a dip in the gulf of Mexico (albeit a dirty little stretch called Holly Beach, it was kind of gross, but refreshing). Now not going to delve into philosophy or advice too much, but if you enjoy it; if it makes you happy it is a simple pleasure. Enjoy it...and more often.