PHASE TWO CATHY RIDES AGAIN 30 MAY 2012 36 MILES
Cathy writes: When I got up this morning, it was 65 degrees and I felt cold. I should have jumped on my bike right then. But, oh no, I dawdled - I organized the things going to Goodwill. I weeded. I played with the dogs. I made some phone calls. It was humid & steamy when I pushed off to bike to Mt. Vernon again. But, I thought, this is okay, I need to "acclimatize"; at least that is what I read in the Washington Post Health section. It takes healthy, fit people two weeks to acclimatize; longer if they are not fit. Debbie & I discussed this last night; we should be acclimatized by the time we finish the ride. The article also stated if you think it is cooler than it is, cyclists can pedal longer. So my mantra is not to check the temperature. I had some interesting meetings on this ride. First meet Mack, the Park Police horse.
I offered to switch rides, but alas, he declined.
Then I passed a school, where a basketball came whizzing towards me. I heard, "Hey Bike Lady, I am so sorry . . . can you toss it back?" Sure I can. It also gave me an opportunity to observe fifth graders at PE/Recess. Boys running around, shouting, playing ball. Pods of girls huddled in various groups quietly talking. I like to look at people as I ride by, grouping them into categories: Smilers. Frowners. Talkers (usually on a cellphone). Oblivious Runners (iPOD in my ears and I can still hear their music). "I-Hate-Running Runners" who grimace. "Happy Runners" who smile/wave/yell hello. Concentrating Rollerbladers. Cyclists who range from Casual to Speedy. Of course there are those with dogs - I have seen so many breeds, but not one Airedale. Really?! I reached Mt. Vernon in one piece and had my photo taken by the groundskeepers. The one who took my photo rode in RAGBRAI in Iowa. That is a ride across Iowa and had over 8000 riders. Now that is crazy. I have included a few photos of Washington DC monuments. Everyone will recognize Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. But does anyone know what the one with birds is? It is the Navy Merchant Marine memorial. The seven gulls hovering over a breaking wave memorialize ". . . the thousands of Americans who have perished in the sea & those whose destiny still is linked with our naval and maritime services."

DEBBIE RIDES ALONE HERE