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Riding for a Fall
As we face into a veritable hurricane of wild fires, floods and droughts, the time for a major change of direction is long past.
As is usual on a Sunday morning, I went for a bike ride earlier today. The roads around here are relatively free of traffic at that time.
I like to think of cycling through two different lenses: the pessimist and the optimist. The optimist powers up the hills anticipating the spectacular view to be enjoyed from the top and the long easy downhill ride when he can rest and appreciate the caress of the wind as it clears the sweat from his brow. The pessimist descends the hill dreading the long climb out of the valley that he knows awaits him.
When choosing my route I try to start out heading into the wind. That way I know that my return journey will have the benefit of the wind at my back helping me along. Starting out with the wind behind you, you can be lulled into a false sense of your prowess. You are bowling along at a cracking pace. Every time you set out you are getting better. Next time you will do better still. And then you enter the return leg and discover how much energy you have used up. Your limbs ache, your lungs are fit to burst and your heart is racing. Suddenly you discover that you are not as fit as you thought you were. Never mind…