Saturday Sunrise Ride

Due to time constraints, my Saturday road ride had to be completed in the wee early hours of the morning. I began my travels at 6:00 a.m. It was a beautiful morning. The sun had not yet crested over the mountain behind our home. I mounted my bike and took off in the direction of the Mount Timpanogos Temple. The road along the east side of the temple is a gentle climb until you reach Highland. I passed through Highland and into Alpine. I then made my way west to Traverse Mountain. By now the sun had peaked over the mountains, and the temperature was starting to rise, but there were still relatively few cars on the road.

I wasn't planning on doing a climb, but when I saw a bunch of road riders climbing up Traverse Mountain, I had to join the fun. It was a 20-minute climb to what seemed to be the top to me. I got passed by one person: a runner with huge calves. Should I be embarrassed that I was passed by a person on foot? Possibly, but I was enjoying the climb and the view too much to care. My heart rate was plenty high, so I let the runner pass me without trying to pursue and overtake him back (whilst saying something smug like, "eat my tire dust, super-huge calf man." I always like to wave or say "hi" to fellow road riders, but no one returned my friendly gesture while I was climbing up and they were speeding down. On my way down the climb I found out why: you need both hands on your bike and complete concentration when barreling down the hill. My guess is that I might have reached speeds of 40 mph (I still don't have a speedometer on my bike yet). It was glorious! After traverse Mountain I weaved my way down through Highland and Lehi, then over to American Fork and back to my home in Cedar Hills. It was supposed to be a 4-hour ride, but I only had time for a 2 1/2 hour ride, as I needed to be at my sister Hetty's wedding shower later that morning. I also found that runners said "hi" more than roadies did.

I'd ridden my tri-race bike for the first time last week, but when I rode it again Saturday, I fell in love with the bike and we got married. Our honeymoon will be at the Hawaii half-Ironman in two weeks. I'm changing my name to Cindy Isaac-Fisher. That's how much I love my bike.

I relate very well to Forrest Gump on so many levels, but when I'm riding a bike or out for a run, I love to recall Forrest Gump's words when he's describing the beauty of the earth through the places he's been. I too feel that connection to earth. There was that sunrise over Mount Timpanogos casting its rays over Utah Lake. Then there was the look of the runner's face as he triumphantly passed me. The politeness of drivers pulling over a lane to not frighten me as they drove past. It's a feeling you want to share with loved ones. I wish that joy on anyone wanting to take it.