Autumn Splendor

The Ride Route: The View (GTF loop)

Miles: 26

Time: 1:55

Ave. Speed: 13.7 mph

Weather: Sunny, Mild, Breezy, 64, Wind 10-15 mph

Total Outdoor 2017 Miles: 1,374

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The Story

I must admit that today, as I crested the hill and took in the view that this "The View" route is named for, there was a tinge of guilt running through my veins.

There I was out in the countryside, dotted with the color of turning leaves back lit by a deep blue sky. At times the only activity along the road was the occasional horses as seen in this photo I stopped to snap.

I felt sorry for people trapped inside on the hamster wheel of life, stuck in some cubicle at a job they put up with at best while I was out in this spectacular autumn sunshine in the middle of a weekday afternoon.

Such are benefits of being jobless.

My legs were sucked of what little fight was in them early in the ride because of a steady wind in the face. Funny, the way this route is laid out, combined with the 10-15 mph wind direction today, it seemed I was never really fully repaid with a pure tailwind on the way back in.

No matter, this October weather is not going to bring any complaints from me!

Who was that masked man on the first half of the ride?

With all that wind howling through my head it was nearly impossible to hear anything coming up from behind.

Suddenly just as fast as I saw something I heard someone say "Hi there," as he sped past my left.

All I saw was a guy with calf muscles bulging out to New Jersey on a white Trek. I could see him up ahead for a bit, but this guy was flying.

(And now, a timeout for a brief poem)

Up ahead I could see,

He was turning right onto "T",

Taking the same route as me.

Then I lost him.

It reminded me of the guys that were passing me with great regularity while in the "Race the Lake" event this summer.

I hope despite his speed and power he too at least was taking in some of the beauty that Mother Nature was offering up today.