A Deserted Countryside

[dotinthesky]

I decided to go for a bike ride today, timing it with the start of the Brasil vs Mexico game.  I knew this would give me empty streets (emptier than usual) and a lower risk of falling on my face in front of an audience.

10 minutes in and I was dying.  I tried going up a hill that leads out of town and had to stop halfway.   My strength wasn't there.  So I turned back and glided past homes blaring the game, letting myself explore the town's small streets. Every house had an open door, families gathered around the television. Was this the case across the country?  Millions of people stopping what they were doing to watch the game?  I counted a few exceptions: the guy cutting down stalks in a field, the man on a wheelchair on his porch, the three boys playing football, the two teenagers playing pool at a local bar.

I returned the bike to my brother 25 minutes into the game's first half and set out on foot, warmed up and ready for a long walk. I tuned into Expanding Mind's latest podcast - an interview with philosopher Michael E. Zimmerman on Nietzche, Religion and Deep Ecology - and kept my eyes on the distant mountains.

This time, I mastered the hill and left the town behind.  Suddenly, a black dog approached me. I think she wanted to be my friend. She'd race to the front, enter the fields to check on the cows bordering the dirt road, then sit, watching me as I approached. Once I was by her side, she'd trot for a few moments beside me before dashing ahead again.

She reminded me of Ian McEwan's short novel Black Dogs, except that she wasn't as threatening as the dogs in that story. She abandoned me after a while but, on my return, she joined me again until I reached a bridge and faced calves herded by a boy on a horse.  I got home just as the game ended as a draw.

Today's ride was the first time in my adult life I took off on a bike by myself. It was a new and yet familiar experience, as if I was a child again.  My brother later told me I can build my strength up in no time - I just need to go for bike rides every day and in two weeks I'll be fine. It's a new challenge I'm willing to embrace.

Comments

[millionreasons.livejournal.com]

Attempting a hill on your first ride out is impressive! (I still get off and walk if the hill is steep).

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

This wasn't a very steep hill! I'll push myself a little harder next time. I'm already envisaging myself traveling to the next town over for shopping and cinema trips.

[wink-martindale.livejournal.com]

I like how the game frames the story, with you as witness to an unobserved world, peeking into other families glued to televisions.

When was the last time you took a bicycle out on your own then?! You should definitely make it a habit! I took our old bike out the other day but the rubber is melting off the handlebars and leave your hands black like tar.

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I can't remember the last time! Maybe never? I must have gone off by myself as a kid, here in this town, but it's a long time ago... It was definitely my first time as an adult!

I'm going to build my confidence here and then get a bike when we are back in London/UK.

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

P.s. That new avatar photo of you is creepy!

[norabird.livejournal.com]

I bike casually for a few miles to get places in summer and hills still do me in. But bike legs do build up if you put the repeated time working them in (just a few weeks I think). It sounds like a great new activity!

Curious to hear you're bypassing the cup games. Political stance or just not into football?

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

I'm not really a football person! If I happen to watch it, I can get sucked in and enjoy it, but I don't follow any teams and don't have a natural interest in it. There's been so many stories of corruption related to this World Cup that it's almost overwhelming for me - I'd rather ignore it and go for a bike ride or read a book.

[rockingthemike.livejournal.com]

well, they say you never forget how to ride a bike, and i think you've proven that today!

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

I was wobbly at first but soon was cycling like a (weak) pro. And now I need to build up courage for a second ride...

[arafel1.livejournal.com]

Nice challenge.
How is it that you listen to podcasts instead of audiobooks?

[picosgemeos.livejournal.com]

My iPhone is quite old (3GS) and has very little memory, plus I quite enjoy the podcasts I'm subscribed to. I never really thought of audiobooks until I recently listened to Stephen King's "On Writing" on YouTube.