Once again, the clock tower tolled, this time two bells, and Ironbird found himself startled awake. He wasn't so surprised this time; still, he wondered if he was having some really vivid nightmares, perhaps induced by fever. One way or another, he reasoned, he wouldn't have long to wait to find out.
True enough, there was without warning the sound of a bicycle bell tinkling below. Ironbird cast open his window, threw out his head, and below saw a tall form sitting on a bicycle. He was taller than the last spirit, thicker, and had a full beard covering the lower half of his face. He had a wide, welcoming smile, and his gestures were open and genuine.
Ironbird knew when he turned around the figure would be in the room, and sure enough it was. The bike was with him, a wonderful work of art and science. Carbon fiber, light alloy, precision components... Ironbird found himself wanting to take a test ride. Once again this was a distraction from the real issue... the purpose of the spirit's visit.
"What shall we do? Where shall we go?" Ironbird asked. "Start my Garmin", said the apparition, "and our journey can begin." Ironbird looked down, saw the device was powered on and had satellite connection acquired, so he was good to go. Pressing the "on" button, in the blink of an eye he found himself down in aero position, rolling through Amish country on a fine early-summer's day, the sun shining brightly in azure blue skies. There was no wind, and the pedals turned over easily, yet powerfully. It was a great day to ride.
"Ah... I love this country" said Ironbill wistfully. "As you should. But do you enjoy it?" asked the ghost. Ironbird responded, "Sometimes, but usually I have a tight schedule, so I find myself watching the computer more than looking at the beautiful scenery all around me. It's kind of nice to be able to relax and look around."
Soon the pair came upon a group riding in a line. They were doing a pace line, and the complete focus of each rider, the near proximity they held to one another, and the fluid way riders moved front-to-back was truly a thing of beauty.
"See how the riders working together are able to perform better than any could individually? The sum truly is greater than the parts. You can't get this enjoyment by working on your own."
This thought weighed heavily on Ironbird. He pondered the opportunities he had passed to ride with these friends, or how he had even chosen to ride alone in an individual time trial. Maybe it wasn't the best way to go.
The spirit guessed his thoughts. "Why would you choose to go it alone so often?" he asked softly. "It's that damn Strava. The KOM race is always on my mind. Sometimes I forget to just enjoy the ride, the friends, the health.That should be enough sometimes - no, it should be the goal."
"Indeed" was all the spirit said in reply.
True enough, there was without warning the sound of a bicycle bell tinkling below. Ironbird cast open his window, threw out his head, and below saw a tall form sitting on a bicycle. He was taller than the last spirit, thicker, and had a full beard covering the lower half of his face. He had a wide, welcoming smile, and his gestures were open and genuine.
Ironbird knew when he turned around the figure would be in the room, and sure enough it was. The bike was with him, a wonderful work of art and science. Carbon fiber, light alloy, precision components... Ironbird found himself wanting to take a test ride. Once again this was a distraction from the real issue... the purpose of the spirit's visit.
"What shall we do? Where shall we go?" Ironbird asked. "Start my Garmin", said the apparition, "and our journey can begin." Ironbird looked down, saw the device was powered on and had satellite connection acquired, so he was good to go. Pressing the "on" button, in the blink of an eye he found himself down in aero position, rolling through Amish country on a fine early-summer's day, the sun shining brightly in azure blue skies. There was no wind, and the pedals turned over easily, yet powerfully. It was a great day to ride.
"Ah... I love this country" said Ironbill wistfully. "As you should. But do you enjoy it?" asked the ghost. Ironbird responded, "Sometimes, but usually I have a tight schedule, so I find myself watching the computer more than looking at the beautiful scenery all around me. It's kind of nice to be able to relax and look around."
Soon the pair came upon a group riding in a line. They were doing a pace line, and the complete focus of each rider, the near proximity they held to one another, and the fluid way riders moved front-to-back was truly a thing of beauty.
"See how the riders working together are able to perform better than any could individually? The sum truly is greater than the parts. You can't get this enjoyment by working on your own."
This thought weighed heavily on Ironbird. He pondered the opportunities he had passed to ride with these friends, or how he had even chosen to ride alone in an individual time trial. Maybe it wasn't the best way to go.
The spirit guessed his thoughts. "Why would you choose to go it alone so often?" he asked softly. "It's that damn Strava. The KOM race is always on my mind. Sometimes I forget to just enjoy the ride, the friends, the health.That should be enough sometimes - no, it should be the goal."
"Indeed" was all the spirit said in reply.
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