Doster Road. No Brakes Allowed.
The other afternoon with a sky as clear and blue as an aqua cat’s eye marble, I pulled my bike outside. As the heavens arced overhead and the pavement rushed underneath, even the trees stood still. No wind except the rush of air created by speed.
Perfection.
Even though I only had an hour, a little voice nudged me to Doster.
For those not familiar with the roads crisscrossing Morgan County, Doster Road rolls through some of the most scenic pastureland in the county.
There are a few steep hills. Riding out from town, you get to go down.
Coming back toward town you climb up – but climbing the mountain clipped into a bike is another post entirely.
About five miles out of town, I approached the hill. After cresting the top, bike and I hurled downward. Still operating as a team.
Now my bike computer has decided not to work. Hate it when that happens. I can’t track of my speed but I’ve been down this hill enough to know — without braking — I’ll hit about 35 mph.
Here’s the headcase part. I haven’t done Doster much this year. Maybe twice?
And rushing downward that day, my hands twitched to squeeze the brake. A slight quicken in my pulse. You better slow down heading into the turn toward the bridge.
I can ride this hill without braking. I’ve done it lots. What was my hesitation?
And just like that, therapy happened.
Relax. Trust yourself. Put your head down and ride.
I exhaled. Bent over the handlebars all the while my hands hovered over the brakes. Well you never know if a heat crazed doe is going to dart out.
And blink.
I was down the hill and over the bridge, pedaling back up the next incline.
Why was the urge so strong to brake going into the turn?
Fear of course, but fear of what?
How many times throughout my day, my week, the years, my entire life – have I put on the brakes mi-experience rather than exhaling and
And enjoying the hell out of it?
Sometimes a gal’s just got to get on her bike and ride.
Roger Taylor’s relentless drumbeat guides my down pedal many a ride.
What can I say? I shall always be a child imprinted with AM radio and 70s music.
Thoughts?
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