I had such a good ride today. It almost didn’t happen, and I suppose those often are the best rides. It’s amazing how often life can get in the way of living. But wet rainy days are hard to come by in the sonoran desert so off I went. The weather cooperated so well with interspersed sections of warm sunshine cutting through the raining clouds. It really did make for some good times on the bike…to be sure.
I took time to stop on my ride today. It’s one of the things I enjoy so much about the sport. It can be equal parts sport and therapy. I stop and think about the people in my life, what they want, not only from me but also from themselves. Everybody wants something, and everybody gets what they want. It’s true. When I got my divorce I didn’t think I wanted that. I found out later that weather I wanted it or not at the time was irrelevant. I needed it. It needed to happen for her and for myself as we wouldn’t have met some of the people that we’ve met, nor would we have learned the life lessons that only losing everything could teach. We both knew we needed the finalization in order to reconstruct our lives in the manner we saw fit. We needed to live the type of life we actually wanted. And that’s what we got…just what we wanted. Of course maybe I was just stoned.
Back on track…South Mountain was glorious today. The dirt was at once tacky and Velcro like (as one rider I met on the trail described it) and at the next moment slicker than snot. But those slick sections had that same Velcro feel just under the surface. It was kind of cool, you’d be going around a turn or on some kind of off-camber section and a wheel would slip out sideways for just a moment, only to catch on the “good dirt” waiting just underneath.
Everything was wet and clean, fresh and rejuvenated. It’s truly amazing how much a little rain affects the plants in the desert. It’s such a harsh environment and the life that exists must be equally as harsh. I mean take a second and actually stop and look at desert life. It’s intense man!!! Big plants take root and grow in the shadow of other smaller plants for protection from the relentless sun. Those plants grow big and return the favor to the smaller plants and also to the smaller animals that in turn feed the larger ones and on and on.
I’m kind of rambling hear so I’ll get back on track. I just Love the desert so much, my mind starts to race at all the beauty and I get lost in thought. So…here we go, back on track…again.
Later that night I prepared a delicious meal. I call the meal Jason because it’s cheap and easy but leaves a good taste in your mouth. Spinach, wild rice, chicken breast and pesto sauce. Like a I said, cheap, easy and delicious. If you want the recipe let me know I’ll send it to ya’. But basically put the spinach down, then the rice, then the chicken and cover in pesto. Couldn’t be cheaper, easier, or tastier.
Taking a young lady to a holiday party followed dinner. At the party there was a black jack tournament with everyone competing for door prize as opposed to playing with actual money. I’m not much of a gambler per se, but I do find it funny that I started with a fake $250.00 and wound up winning what would have been $8000.00. Let’s just say that’s a bunch of bull shit right there. I wanted my fake money!! I don’t think I could do that well with real money. If I ever have the opportunity to try it out I’d like to do that.

Be gentle, it's my first time.

I've decided to join the blogger generation. I'm not sure what this blog will be about, or if it'll be any good. But my friends tell me that if I'm going to travel the world on someone else's dime then I need to write and write and write. So here I am.
I've named the blog Phoenix Cyclist as that is my activity of choice, and given the options at my disposal and my current mood it is the favorite...for now. But don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming to be the fastest or strongest, or even that I ride as often as I'd like. But I do love to ride my bicycles. I've done a few races, but I've never been anywhere near a podium. Mostly I just like to ride so that I can ride more.
I also love my little 1955 beetle that I'm currently in the process of restoring. At the time that I'm writing this the thing is in pieces and I'm still in tear down mode. You'd be surprised at how much dirt and crap can be in a car that's been sitting for who know how many years. It's actually kind of intense.
I've also recently fallen in love with backpacking. It's a very cool little sport/hobby. I get to do cool shit like that a little help from my friends. Friends that I'm sure I'll be talking about from time to time.
Anyway,
I hope I can keep you entertained with my ramblings and hopefully even teach and learn from each other. Should be a good time at any rate. Especially given that I have no real skill when it comes to grammar and punctuation. But I'm sure I'll be able to get the point across...most of the time anyway. If not, I'm sure I'll hear about it.

So anyway, here we go. I hope you enjoy.