It’s weird how a piece of pavement can elicit a strong feeling. A vivid memory. A smile. Goosebumps. An overwhelming feeling of content. A tear. For some, this happens with a smell. For me, there are a few pieces of {broken} pavement in San Diego that flood me with emotion. Here are a few I recently visited:
Elfin Forest. I remember my first time every time I ride here. I remember my first ever taste of Gu and who gave it to me. That blast of caffeine and an energy I had never before experienced. Vanilla Bean. Still my favorite. Super hero powers ensued, bombing down Del Dios. Reaching the coast, never the same again. My vivid memory.
The seaside bridge southbound from Del Mar, before the climb up Torrey Pines. What. A. View. Take a big breath of the ocean misted air. One last cool blast before the impending pain of the climb ahead. The decision of inside or outside Torrey. I Smile.
The backside of the great western loop. When done clockwise and you climb forever up to the beekeeper. Right turn. Once the descent starts, the views open up. The colors darken on each ridge line from near to far. Speed picks up. The sun shines so bright. It doesn’t matter how many times I do it. Those Goosebumps. My how I’ve missed this place.
Osprey Point at Sunset Cliffs. The place where we exchanged vows. The promise I made to never slow down. Your dare to explore this world and the next by your side. When I ride by here I feel completely content.
The not at all dangerous Strava flagged kicker climb segment after the fire station on the return back from Cabrillo. So many epic battles up that hill with my Moment teammates and the Tues/Thurs morning crew. As if beating each other up on the tidepool repeats wasn’t enough, the way home was always a race. Eyes popping, legs burning, lungs bleeding. I learned to suffer on a bike up that darn last hill before the descent back home. I shed a tear. My last ride before packing Miss Vivian up and saying goodbye to San Diego.
I had an amazing time and am so thankful for the opportunity to put in a big block of early season base miles. I’m thankful to Kyle for letting me leave he and the kitties behind. I’m so thankful to Noko and Ian for opening their home to me. For the delicious dinners and nightly wine and lounging sessions. For the use of the car. For the friendship and the miles on the bike. For the conversations. So freaking thankful. I am so lucky to call them my friends and that they keep inviting me back!
Thankful to all my ride partners this week. Beautiful miles, many smiles, and a renewed outlook on the year ahead.
Vitamin D. It really is powerful. And as the pavement turns to gravel, I hope to explore more segments of this world by bike in search of these moments.
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