Humbling ascent

I'm a bit behind on writing. I'll wrap up two recent "big" events in another post with some reflections. Taking notes during and after a ride or run really helps me improve my own experience. For too long I've just been trying to repeat the same approach, hoping to get better. But actually taking it just a little bit seriously helps enormously. This goes for all roads in life, I guess.

This morning I went on a bike ride with a group of cyclists convened by my friend Nori, who has appeared on the blog before. I've honestly been wary of "group rides" in the past, because I haven't really teamed up with people on my own level - in the sense that I'm always the slowest!

But this Sunday morning was different. We were 5 guys who were at fairly comparable levels.. or at least the good ones were good at slowing down without a frown.

We met at Nori's club house, and then immediately began the ascent on Maya mountain, a small offshoot from the main Rokko mountain.

I had this feeling when riding up, about how cool everyone was. Kind and cool. People were geared up, but without being garish. Smiling and laughing at the climb, and just being friendly and curious towards each other. We were overtaken by a group of quite aggressive cars, and then a couplet of motorcycles.

And it just struck me that that kind of aggression is a bit harder to come by when crawling up the mountain side by your own power and volition. It is healthily humbling to having to work for that sense of accomplishment of getting to the top. You don't get that kind of feeling from behind the wheel in a car, and then it becomes much more about yourself. The ego gets enlarged or inflamed in a way.

Also, as you ride around the curves, with trees hanging out over the well-maintained road, you get a sense of gratitude. I certainly got that again this morning, but it wasn't towards anything in particular, if that makes sense. Some positive hormones, I guess.

Speaking of positive, it's insane how I can sleep until 6:15 on a weekday and feel exhausted and behind, but if I get myself out of bed for a ride like this at 4:50 on a Sunday, I feel at my best!

I know it has been a lot of running and biking lately. I'll come up with some other topics soon. Something more about life here, however I'm glad that sports has become a part of my life for sure.