Spending Time.
Working two jobs six days a week, I can lose track of the days. One day at Pullins, one day at Paul’s, another day at Pullins, two more days at Paul’s, then Pullins again. Is it Sunday yet? When the weekend finally does roll around, it’s so tempting curl up tighter under the covers and seek sleep, but I’ve been finding myself much happier to spend my time in motion.
Woke up a little before seven to a txt from Q; plans had been made to gather bright and early for breakfast at Brad’s before taking off for a day of riding. It was bitterly cold this morning, almost like it’s November or something. I made a note to myself: need more pants, more thick socks, more wool anything, check salvation army soon.
Breakfast of eggs, buttered toast, grapefruit, a piece of bacon surreptitiously placed on my plate, and a bite of heavy chocolate cake, a breakfast of champions. We finally started rolling a little before ten and headed North out of town with Vina as our destination.
Heading across the valley the Coastal range was in front of us with the tail-end of the Sierra Nevadas visible behind. Northern California is a gorgeous and flat land.
(Photo from Q.)
This was my first time putting any significant amount of miles on my new Doublecross, and it was a very pleasing ride. 700x35c Panaracers roll so smooth. It’s a great all ‘rounder steel wonder-beast, and I will ride it across the continent. A little bit of trouble from my knee, but I think that was due to having my seatpost a few millimeters too low. Another note to self: taller seatpost, maybe something with a setback.
We took lunch at the New Clairvaux Vineyard and Monastery; we’d brought tomatoes, jalapeño cheese, zuccini, and guacamole sandwiched in focaccia, along with oranges and sprouted beans. This was followed by ice-cream and candy from the nearby cornershop. The twenty-six miles home felt a little longer on a full stomach, but we made it back before five.
After a shower and change into fresh clothes, we reconvened at Brad’s again, this time for dinner; fluffy mashed potatoes, steaming buttered broccoli, thick hearty soup, and more chocolate death. My legs were tired, my stomach filled, and my heart warmed. Another Sunday well spent.