Bike Riding Bliss

​Photo by Elle Hughes

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Today I went for a bike ride.
I barely pedaled at all.
Just floated and glided, with ease.
I remembered all of the places I have lived where I had bikes.
Ames, Iowa and Boulder, Colorado in my solo adult life.
Greensboro, North Carolina as a kid, teenager, and prodigal daughter over summer and in between jobs. 
Those are the places I thought of most.
The freedom to go out and have the speed of a bicycle, versus the contemplation of a walk.
The choice to bike to work, or to do a shopping trip with a backpack to bring items home.
Today I did a bike ride for fitness, but it turned out that I did it to feel freedom.
My mind was clearer afterward.
I felt cleansed and refreshed.
I barely sweated, but I didn't mind.
​Today I went for a bike ride.