Norm's Bench

The Ride: Sightseeing

Miles: 17.4

Time: 1:23

Ave. Speed: 12.5 mph

Weather: Sunny, 80, Wind 10-12 mph

2018 Season Outdoor Miles: 934.7

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The Story

I found it.

This ride was not a training ride. This ride was just an old-fashioned exploration on a bike, the kind you used to do when you were a kid.

There was a mission to accomplish however, inspired by a note I received from reader Sue D.

You see, riders inspire each other, many times without even knowing it. Maybe it's something you wrote on a blog post somewhere that someone used as motivation, someone you've never met before in your life.

You never know when your story becomes inspiration for others.

My story about the sunflowers this week inspired her to go out on a ride and find them. Then her note about her ride that she sent back to me inspired me to go find this bench today.

Norm's Bench

Sue mentioned how to get to the bench honoring her late husband, a man I never met, but a man whom I helped inspire to ride while he and Sue were taking part in my Weigh-In Wednesday radio bits.

It's all about inspiring each other.

I sat for a minute in a silent tribute.

Then I explored part of the new Loop the Lake Trail, which I had never been on before today. It's pretty, but not something I'll be riding on much. It's tight and shared and pretty much a disaster waiting to happen for any kind of serious roadie riding. Too many people. Too many chances for something to go wrong....and lots of tight turns. But for a casual, short loop for people to enjoy it is right on the money.

Just to get a little bit of tempo riding in I did a lap of my lake loop route next, then breezed through Riverside Park as well.

Lots of water to look at on the little ride today.

Lots of boats to check out.

Lots of people out enjoying the sunshine.

But the most important part of today's ride; Norm's Bench.