Pre-Ride
December 1, 200723-Nov-2007: Pre-Ride
So, here I am. I’m lying on a half-inch thick piece of foam that some call a mattress. I’m in my tent, alone. It’s 7:30pm in the evening and I’m wondering what to do with myself.
I don’t feel much like eating dinner tonight–I had a late lunch and really can’t be troubled with organising anything. I’ll eat a small piece of chocolate and a few nuts, that should tie me over until breakfast in the morning.
I’m not wanting to seek out company, not because I’m shy or can’t make the effort, it’s just that I don’t often get the opportunity to spend too much time without people around me–in solitude. It actually takes a bit of getting used to. At first I didn’t know what to do with myself, and was wondering around the canpsite aimlessly, just passing the time. Eventually I decided to put my time to better use and spent some time down at the beach meditating.
I’m in a much different state of mind now–happy to just lie here and snooze, and listen to the sounds of other campers, the seagulls scavenging and the cars passing by on a nearby road. Don’t get me wrong–I haven’t gone vague or something, I’m just happy being.
It’s nice to be happy to be with me, There were times when I wasn’t.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this for myself–to get out and clear the cobwebs so to speak–enjoying my own company.
The campsite is a footy oval and is a sea of tents and bikes. The vibe is one of excitement and anticipation as everyone prepares for what should be a relatively easy start to the ride tomorrow. It’s a very civilized start time of 0900 to allow people to arrive in the morning.
Even though I’m feeling somewhat under-prepared to tackle the 141 kilometers I will ride over the next two days, I’m looking forward to the challenge. I rode into the city for a meeting yesterday–a 30km trip there and back–and I felt quite ill at one stage. I was also, really tired last night. I do wish I’d spent more time on the bike over the past couple of weeks. Oh well, no point dwelling on the past. I’m just going to get on the bike in the morning and put one pedal in front of the other. Yes it’s going to hurt, but a little bit of soreness is a good thing. I recall when I started taekwondo and how I was ‘really’ sore every single day for two years. But it was worth it–and I’m much fitter and healthier than I was when I started that journey.
I’m planning to get up early in the morning. I want to spend more time down at the beach with my meditation practice, which has ebbed of late. I figure that I can sit for an hour before breakfast, then find somewhere in Phillip Island that sells half-decent coffee (I have to be realistic!) and be back at camp by 0800. That will give me an hour to pack up my gear and dismantle the tent before the ride gets under way.
Being
Alone, and happy to be
Quiet reflection, loving me
There are sounds of other travelers nearby
But uninterested, I lie silently
I am.
