Junk Miles

Cindy took the kids to a special dance practice last night so I found myself with the rare occasion of having a Monday night all to myself. It was a perfect evening, cool, low humidity, sunny. I didn’t call anyone to ride. And I didn’t plan on a hard ride. I rode just for fun. I don’t have enough opportunity in my week to waste time on rides without purpose but since this was unscheduled, I didn’t feel guilty.

It was a great ride. My mind was someplace else. I past a rider and didn’t look twice since I didn’t recognize the bicycle. I hear: “Hey Neil”. It was a friend who was on his spare bike. He is a fast rider so apparently he was riding without purpose too. I slowed down and we talked until we got to the trail head. He went back to his truck, I kept riding. I rode just fast enough so the mosquitoes couldn’t catch me.

My phone rang. It is always a judgment call whether or not to stop riding and answer. It was Cindy.

Me: “Hey.” (Mosquitoes start to congregate around me.)

Cin: “You didn’t answer your phone earlier.”

Me: “Sorry, didn’t hear it ring.” (Mosquitoes find my veins.)

Cin: “I called several times.”

Me: “I’m riding with my Ipod.” (I start swatting at mosquitoes.)

Cin: “I called at 5:00, you weren’t riding yet.”

Me: “I must have been working on my bike.” (Swat, swat, swat.)

(Pause)

Me: “Or in the bathroom, I had Thai and…” (Swat, swat, swat, swat.)

Cin: “Didn’t you see I called?”

Me: “Yes but you didn’t leave a message.” (Swat, swat, swat, swat, swat.)

Me: “So, what’s up?” (Swat, swat, swat, swat, swat, swat.)

Cin: “Just calling to see why you didn’t answer.”