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Thursday 3 September 2020

Joy of cycling

Cycling is one of the positive outcomes of the Covid era for my husband and me. Looking for a way to expand our lives during the Covid restrictions, we took up cycling. This week our cycling experience of the Confederation Trail was longer than last week and I felt more confident in my ability. I had started weight training to make it easier to lift the bikes to and from the bike rack on the car. 





I quickly saw a benefit for the effort and was feeling confident when I started on the trail.


We passed one other rider and several walkers but otherwise we had the trail to ourselves. Feeling more comfortable on the bike this week, I enjoyed the physical experience of the exercise.


My husband and I stayed several meters apart on the trail so I could focus on the trail rather than having to avoid crashing into him. The day was cool and I wore a jacket which was perfect for the breeze. The sensation of the air on your face, the sound of your breathing in the quiet of your body as you push forward in tune with the bicycle and the beauty of the trail are a unique combination. Add in the dance of shadows where the sun breaks through the trees which overshadow the trail and the experience is perfect. 





Meanwhile the trail itself always presents something new though we are familiar with the area from walking there. There are lots of apple trees along the trail and apples cover the ground in some areas.





Harvest is beginning on the farms along the trail. One of my favourite scenes is the hay rolled into bales waiting for transport to the storage area.





This time we rode from the horse farm to a place where the trail crosses a road in Summerside and back. 





It was curious to see the horses social distancing in the paddock when we returned.





Everyone is feeling the negative effects of Covid but cycling has been a positive addition for us.













 





33 comments:

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think the other thing about cycling is the distance you can cover. Glad to hear you are enjoying it so much Marie, excellent way to keep fit 💜

Anita said...

Nothing is like a good ride with the bicycle To feel the air in your hair blowing away on a sunny day is something to remember in those atumm nights

Did you ride the green bicycle or the el bike?How was it with the elbike?I have never tried it .

Nice photoes!

Wish you a wonderful weekend!

Anvilcloud said...

Glad you are enjoying cycling.

Martha said...

I'm so glad something positive has come out of this for you and your hubby and it's so good for you too. Love that you also added some weight training, that's what I do for exercise and what a difference it makes in not only strength but endurance and balance too. Keep up all the good work! Love all the beautiful photos too :)

DJan said...

Very nice journey through the forest on those lovely roads. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure, and I look forward to more. :-)

Debbie said...

what a great read and i am so happy it has become such a positive experience!! you are an excellent writer, and i really enjoy the way you describe the things you experience!!

your pictures are really lovely...the bales of hay look plastic. and good that the horses got the memo on social distancing!! hehehehe

Boud said...

I'm waiting for you to attach a cam to your helmet and give us a virtual ride! You're really having fun.

Bill said...

Sounds like lots of enjoyable fun plus you get a healthy bonus from it too.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Nothing like a bike ride on a beautiful day!

photowannabe said...

You sure make me yearn to hop on a bike and join you .
Such a lovely countryside to enjoy.
Sue

William Kendall said...

Wonderful shots!

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad that you have found a positive from Covid 19 - and totally unsurprised that you were prepared to work (through weights) at enhancing the joy. As always, thank you for taking us along.

Red said...

Just checking, but do you wear a helmet.?

Rhodesia said...

When we first bought our bikes 30 odd years ago we tried off-road and did not enjoy it. We soon sold them and bought road bikes and in S.Sfrica we entered many events. We now only have our bikes on the trainers as N has lost his balance and is not safe on the roads, and after my bad fall in Spain, I also feel safer on the trainer!! So glad that you are both enjoying cycling though. Take care Diane

Ruth Hiebert said...

You are certainly seeing some lovely sights along the way.

Rose said...

I really enjoyed the ride! I would love to have a place to ride, but I am just not comfortable riding where there is traffic. Not at my age now. I love your view of the hay bales...the horse are beautiful.

Joanne Noragon said...

What great days!

Catarina said...

That was a great idea... cycling again. There are so many benefits... You are already feeling them.

Good cycling!

Helen said...

The trail, the horses, the apples and the hay rolls are all very familiar. Just wonderful that you are now able to enjoy them from your bicyles. Such a lovely description of this enjoyment.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Never having been a cyclist, I am unable to comment on its pleasures, but as a birder it would be an impossible mode of transportation. Hard to scan and find birds while riding a bike, let alone look at them! And that doesn't take into account walking along the shore in search of waders. Think I'll stick to shank's pony.

Susan Zarzycki said...

A wonderful new hobby for you!💖 I could feel the breeze, see the shadows and smell the apples. I used to love riding a bike.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

I love your upbeat way of facing this pandemic ... biking and hiking and sharing it all with us. Thanks, Marie.

Tanza Erlambang said...

glad to hear that you and your husband feel better and improve health day by day ... lovely physical exercises.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Our whole family used to go cycling together (about thirty years ago!) and we all loved it and only stopped after losing all our bikes in a shed fire. Now, I don't think my balance would let me - I will enjoy your trail-rides instead :)

The Padre said...

Yes - Free Your Mind And Your Bike Will Follow - So Happy For The Two Of You - Miles Of Joy Await

Big Hugs

bow legs said...

Nice post

Mage said...

Oh, I wish my husband and I still had knees. We would join you.

Beside a babbling brook... said...

What a wonderful way to spend some time. Just wonderful...

Linda dev said...

How lovely Marie. I am glad you are enjoying yourselves.

Glenda Beall said...

My husband and I often biked together some years ago and I loved it. Where I live now in the mountains, I doubt I could make it up the hills, but I enjoyed your ride. I am a horse lover and the horses social distancing was a delight. Thanks for sharing all the pictures and your adventure on the bikes.

baili said...

during reading this post i felt like little girl who is lost in an enchanting world portrayed before her eyes :)

you are great story teller :) calmness and wisdom within your words shower like soothing rain on my heart :)

thank you for enlightening experience sharing with you dear Marie ,i don't know i will ever will ride on cycle but your sharing made divine pleasure it can give :)
hugs!

Susie of Arabia said...

Those horses look like they posed for you! I ddn't get to summer in Washington state this year because of the virus. The photo of the apples on the ground reminded me of how we enjoy going around collecting apples on the ground like that to feed to the deer that always come around. I missed that this year.

Barbara said...

I'm so glad cycling has worked out so well for you two. The people in my area of town love to bike. I think it would be so much fun. Can't wait to see how your ebike works out. I've never been on one so it will be informative.