Grinding (Gravel)
Posted: August 13, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: biking, blogging, crossfit, cycling, fitness, freshly pressed, Gravel Worlds, happiness, health, hope, inspiration, Intentions, kindness, life, love, lululemon, meditation, memory, musings, natural, nature, nebraska, Omaha, passion, Reflection, Travel, whole foods, WOD, writing, yoga 16 CommentsIt is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them-
For more than just a “few” years humanity has co-existed with nature and bicycles. We have passionately learned from both of these. We have watched corn fields grow and soy beans sprout gently rolling by a farmer’s field early one crisp summer morning. If our intentions are set, we can tap into the ever-expanding wisdom and presence unfolding in front of our eyes: Witnessing storms brewing on the horizon with an ever-present eye, listening to the road grinding away beneath you.
In these awe-inspiring moments we are true to ourselves and our intentions are pure.
Riding on a crunchy gravel road recently I learned of the precious, limited time I have to experience nature and more importantly, the respect I have for her. Scanning the road ahead of me I spot some familiar animal friends, my humble teachers this afternoon. These creatures – robins, red tail hawks, field mice and the occasional frog and skunk have taught me to live in the moment, to switch off my “ego” and to be at peace with myself and my surroundings. Don’t believe what I am saying?!? Freak out near a skunk … I look on, as small intimate farms and families begin to form up ahead to my right, a family picnic with elders playing with the little ones. I find myself thinking how the cycle of life is never permanent, our modern society clings to life and lives in constant fear of death. There is nothing to fear out here, when we begin to understand our kindred relationship with nature the eternal, we will chuckle at the unnecessary, wasted energy we put into fearing the inevitable.
As my mind returns to the present moment, We have lost so much of ourselves running/cycling toward fruitless dreams. The intuitive gifts we once cherished in our youth have all but disappeared under the illusion of material gain, a race medal, t-shirt, finish line Vine video. Our once blessed and sacred connection with nature and with all life has been weakened almost beyond repair. As people litter the side of the road with empty liquor bottles, garbage, their unwanted McDonald’s sack, they remain completely unaware of the damaging and lasting effect their actions hold.
Notes:
Let’s face it, it’s not cool in today’s world to admit we are but children of this amazing planet. Born out of nature, each day the sun rises we are graciously given the opportunity to experience the beauty within her. Every moment is a gift, especially while riding a bike, grinding gravel in Nebraska.
Wind Can’t Stop … <— Must Click Link folks!!!
CultFit 
Never learned to ride one, but that was a lovely tour. Thanks for sharing the ride.
There is no rhyme or reason to where I ride, maybe I factor in the wind a touch for the ride home later in the evening. There is so much to explore to learn once we get off the “main” road and start exploring the back roads instead … Is there a hidden metaphor in the post this morning?!? You bet there is! Be inspired today 🙂
That gravel road just looks like it goes on forever 🙂 XOXO – Bacon
Some of them literally do go on forever, with little surprises at the crest of each hill. 🙂 Thank you for reading today, take care and be well!
I would agree. Before my injury, I rode a couple of 20 milers out on the Jamaica Trail (you need to do that with me this fall when I can ride again) and even though I had my Garmin strapped on tightly to my handlebars, I really didn’t care how fast I went. I just cared that I hit the 20 mile mark.
Without the stress of speed, I spent a lot of time just looking around and enjoying myself. Wondering about the lives of people that lived in that run-down house, or that out-of-place mansion on the hill, or the trailer down by the riverside.
I thought about the red fox that ran in front of me for fifty yards, the deer that crossed my path, and the rose breasted grosbeak, and what they must think every time someone like me whizzes by. And how many more creatures see us, but we never see them. How many people and animals have lived full (or not so much) lives where my path crossed, but no longer are, and what that even means.
It reminds me of how small my life is in the scheme of things, and how amazing this earth is–continuing as she does, regardless of how we abuse her with roads, wires under her skin, and toxic waste dumped on her belly.
She will be here, dynamic, changing, and we are blessed that she is willing to let us use her so while we are here. Talk about the ultimate sacrifice.
I concur with the first sentence. When I go for bike rides, I have two modes: workout mode and experiential mode. While I mostly do workout modes, my experiential mode reminds me of your post. Thank you for sharing your experience!
It always seems like the first “x” amount of miles for me are workout miles as well and as the miles start to tick away the ride slowly switches to more of a relaxed ride, enjoying the scenery. 😉 Thank you for stopping over today!
I love the bike the most when I am upon it seeing something new. And I will gladly be uncool and accept that I am a child of this planet and I owe my existence to it. Beautiful. Safe ride !
When I sit down to plan our groups rides I always try to take a circular route, avoiding out and backs and busy streets/intersections. Every time I head out on my bike I’m almost guaranteed to spot something new and cool. 🙂
The out and backs can be so difficult. But if it’s all I have, I’ll do it! And just see things from a different angle. 😉
Perfectly said – every moment is a gift. Nebraska looks like an amazing place to bike, I can almost smell the fresh air myself. 🙂 We will be heading up north to Whistler BC for a couple days next week for our own biking adventures. I can’t wait.
I turned down an offer to ride/ski Whistler a few years back and gosh do I wish I went! I am totally looking forward to hearing about your trip, ride safe and have fun! 🙂
Didn’t think a blog post and the comments could make me homesick for the Midwest – but it has. Thanks for reminding me how I love gravel roads.
No matter how far I have traveled away from home … There’s nothing like being back home. I have many stories to share with you about people who come to visit and never want to leave, I’ll put up a few more pictures over the coming week just for you. 🙂 Take care this evening and please be well.
Ah, but for those of us who embrace the fact that we are still kids, just more experienced, there is true pleasure and happiness. I love being a big, old, kid. I don’t know what I’d do without my bikes. 😉
Same here, the day doesn’t quite feel the same if I don’t get at least a little ride in here or there. Plus, we have been spoiled weather wise this year coming off of the scorcher of a summer last year … One thing I like to do when I see the little ones out on the trail is to tell them nice bike – cool ride etc. I had a neighbor growing up who would always share with us how much fun it was to be a kid on a bike, heck we still are kids on bikes! Take care this evening!