It has been 1.5 years since Jane and I started our new, more active life. While it seems like yesterday, it has already been a year since we watched Ryan and Kelley 'race to the sun' on Maui. In memory of those two events Jane and I started an easy Sunday bike ride yesterday morning and wound up 25 miles later sweaty and exhausted. For those who know San Diego you will appreciate that we started from our home in Allied Gardens with a goal of biking to Qualcomm Stadium and back. When we reached the stadium we decided to extend our ride to Fashion Valley via the San Diego River trails. Once we achieved our Fashion Valley goal, and still believing we could safely ride home without calling a cab or Kim we decided to forge west.
Jane has always wondered how the bicycle riders got to the trail that runs along the south side of the San Diego River, just on the north side of Interstate 8. We worked our way west along Cami no Del Rio North to the Little League fields, then trekked along the river while learning the true meaning of off road biking. Jane and I were truly enjoying the ride, dusty and hot as it was; rutted and muddy and just enough challenge for two old farts to enjoy. Just when we became comfortable with our 'ability', mastering the dirt trail we came to an abrupt end to the road. Ahead we faced a wall of rock, rocks the size of an ocean jetty. My first instinct was to whip a U-turn and head east to find a more comfortable trail; but Jane decided to go for the gusto and, not wanting to show her the wimp within me, we threw our bikes over our shoulders as though we were trained Navy seals and headed up the boulders. At first I thought the climb would not be too bad but soon realized the term boulders should be replaced with the description 'jagged, sharply angled, ecological instruments of death'. Between the two of us we struggled to the top of the obstacle to find a nicely graded dirt trail that soon turned to a rough concrete path, and finally became a smooth asphalt road aply named 'The Ocean Beach Bike Trail'. We rode with vigor; ocean air cooling our way, finanly ariving at Lifeguard tower 5 at Dog's Beach. We had made it!!! Standing at the west most reaches of Interstate 8 highway we enjoyed watching the dogs and their owners play across the sand and in the water. The waves looked inviting and surfers were truly enjoing one of the world's wonders.
Just then we looked at each other and realized; 'we're only half way to our destination'. I know, you thought the realization would be more romantic; but remember we had just come through dust, mud, river valley weeds, and sweat in the 90+ heat for a couple of hours. Not much romance there. Remember, at our age we are lucky we remember where our home was and how to get there.
Sooo, we turned our bikes east and began the trek home. On par we stopped at a coffee house in Mission Valley; one with a cool, shady outdoor set of tables to enjoy a blended coffee drink. Once refreshed we turned our sites toward the 6 miles left to travel, most of which were up hill.
You think you know your mate pretty well once you have been married as long as Jane and I. I must admit here that I continue to learn more about her all the time. As I said before, a year and a half ago you could not have gotten us to walk to the grocery store just 6 blocks away from our house. One year ago we watched two of our kids perform the superior feat of biking up Haleakala mountain on Maui. Both Jane and I could not believe they, or any humanbean could perform such a feat. This year I'm proud to say we CAN achieve small feats. We did complete the ride. Even more surprising to me I learned how tough my wife truly is. She pushed me all the way, then proceeded to make the climb out of Mission Valley to our home without stopping, without complaining. She acutally smiled at me during the roughest, steepest part of the climb. (Now, given the smile was a little dimented I have not slept soundly since; but I'll get over that some day).
And this is just for you Ryan and Kelley; once we got home Jane asked to go for a ride on the motorcycle. What a Sunday 8^)
Jane has always wondered how the bicycle riders got to the trail that runs along the south side of the San Diego River, just on the north side of Interstate 8. We worked our way west along Cami no Del Rio North to the Little League fields, then trekked along the river while learning the true meaning of off road biking. Jane and I were truly enjoying the ride, dusty and hot as it was; rutted and muddy and just enough challenge for two old farts to enjoy. Just when we became comfortable with our 'ability', mastering the dirt trail we came to an abrupt end to the road. Ahead we faced a wall of rock, rocks the size of an ocean jetty. My first instinct was to whip a U-turn and head east to find a more comfortable trail; but Jane decided to go for the gusto and, not wanting to show her the wimp within me, we threw our bikes over our shoulders as though we were trained Navy seals and headed up the boulders. At first I thought the climb would not be too bad but soon realized the term boulders should be replaced with the description 'jagged, sharply angled, ecological instruments of death'. Between the two of us we struggled to the top of the obstacle to find a nicely graded dirt trail that soon turned to a rough concrete path, and finally became a smooth asphalt road aply named 'The Ocean Beach Bike Trail'. We rode with vigor; ocean air cooling our way, finanly ariving at Lifeguard tower 5 at Dog's Beach. We had made it!!! Standing at the west most reaches of Interstate 8 highway we enjoyed watching the dogs and their owners play across the sand and in the water. The waves looked inviting and surfers were truly enjoing one of the world's wonders.
Just then we looked at each other and realized; 'we're only half way to our destination'. I know, you thought the realization would be more romantic; but remember we had just come through dust, mud, river valley weeds, and sweat in the 90+ heat for a couple of hours. Not much romance there. Remember, at our age we are lucky we remember where our home was and how to get there.
Sooo, we turned our bikes east and began the trek home. On par we stopped at a coffee house in Mission Valley; one with a cool, shady outdoor set of tables to enjoy a blended coffee drink. Once refreshed we turned our sites toward the 6 miles left to travel, most of which were up hill.
You think you know your mate pretty well once you have been married as long as Jane and I. I must admit here that I continue to learn more about her all the time. As I said before, a year and a half ago you could not have gotten us to walk to the grocery store just 6 blocks away from our house. One year ago we watched two of our kids perform the superior feat of biking up Haleakala mountain on Maui. Both Jane and I could not believe they, or any humanbean could perform such a feat. This year I'm proud to say we CAN achieve small feats. We did complete the ride. Even more surprising to me I learned how tough my wife truly is. She pushed me all the way, then proceeded to make the climb out of Mission Valley to our home without stopping, without complaining. She acutally smiled at me during the roughest, steepest part of the climb. (Now, given the smile was a little dimented I have not slept soundly since; but I'll get over that some day).
And this is just for you Ryan and Kelley; once we got home Jane asked to go for a ride on the motorcycle. What a Sunday 8^)
2 comments:
Wow! I am truly impressed!!! You two are an inspiration to us too and are so proud of both of you. Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment (both the weight loss and increased fitness)...keep up the hard and rewarding work. -Kelley
6 Blocks to the grocery store??? We couldn't even get you to walk 1 block to the school with our dogs when you visted us 2 years ago. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS. Not just because you are being active but because you have both seemed to find something you enjoy together and seem to be more in love now than I can ever remeber. NOW THAT IS INSPIRING. Just think 1 year from now you will be blogging about riding STP. Keep training:)
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