Home in Northfield, MN

Hard work that you share is connecting.
Though sometimes you feel like objecting.
What you've gotten done,
Though not always fun,
Gets you to the goal you're expecting.

Home again in Northfield.

I woke this morning ready to pull on bike clothes,
And ride to todays' bike trip destination.

Even though I'm glad to be home,
Glad to have had short visits with some family,
I'd join the cyclists if they passed by.

You may know from reading along last two weeks,
That unseasonal --- too cold, then --- too hot weather,
Made for a challenging ride.
Add in endless hills, some headwinds,
Days when I was thinking -- not fun.

Why would I rejoin? I'm not sure.

Here is a piece I've realized...
All of us made our way with those hard conditions.
How hard, varied with each rider.
And we each put our effort into "moving on down the road".

We all had the detours that added miles.
Roads designed for cars, trucks, farm equipment,
Not bicycles.
Winds strong enough to make staying upright challenging.

Those hard experiences,
Plus, shared times like
Creating lunch from wonderful components.
Funny times like
Realizing that I've loaded my sandwich with horseradish
Not mayo.
Laughing over something outlandish or unusual.

We connected.
Common experiences.
Single goal --- get there.

Perhaps any group with "get there" goal,---
Rewriting guidelines,
Maintaining trails,
Helping kids,
Digging drainage ditches,---
Connect to make it happen.
We connect with others.

Connections -> support and synergy.

It is a wonderful byproduct of
Pedaling my bicycle for hours.

Hugs,
Lin