Sacramento 2010.
First day of the Tour of California.
Andy Schleck, my favourite rider—on the far right in red.
So much world-class cycling talent sprinting to the finish.
I watched them in the rain a few days later.
Standing on the side of Oakville Crossroad and CA-29.
Between Yountville and St. Helena.
The only person around.
***
In my last two years in Stratford, I cycled with a club.
Bought a custom second-hand road bike.
Perfect size. Like it had been waiting for me.
Got doored by a cab my second ride in Toronto.
Hung it up in the garage—then sold it.
***
So many steep learning curves riding in a peloton.
The agony of bridging the gap on early rides.
Out on jet-black paved rural roads first thing on a summer morning.
Grateful to be alive.
***
I wish I’d been put on a road bike as a young girl.
Because I could fly.
Did a few triathlons—won my age division once.
Took a few women out on a big incline.
The sweet feeling as I passed them.
***
I love city cycling.
The training with the club gave me confidence.
I’ve been off my bike for two years because of my knee.
I missed it a lot.
Building strength now.
The spirit of it is still strong in me.
First day of the Tour of California.
Andy Schleck, my favourite rider—on the far right in red.
So much world-class cycling talent sprinting to the finish.
I watched them in the rain a few days later.
Standing on the side of Oakville Crossroad and CA-29.
Between Yountville and St. Helena.
The only person around.
***
In my last two years in Stratford, I cycled with a club.
Bought a custom second-hand road bike.
Perfect size. Like it had been waiting for me.
Got doored by a cab my second ride in Toronto.
Hung it up in the garage—then sold it.
***
So many steep learning curves riding in a peloton.
The agony of bridging the gap on early rides.
Out on jet-black paved rural roads first thing on a summer morning.
Grateful to be alive.
***
I wish I’d been put on a road bike as a young girl.
Because I could fly.
Did a few triathlons—won my age division once.
Took a few women out on a big incline.
The sweet feeling as I passed them.
***
I love city cycling.
The training with the club gave me confidence.
I’ve been off my bike for two years because of my knee.
I missed it a lot.
Building strength now.
The spirit of it is still strong in me.
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