Riding the Trail

The part of the Confederation Trail which we can see in the city is snow free. My husband and I were eager to ride our bikes for the first time this season, so we dressed for the cold and headed out. The wind wasn’t high so the overcast day was comfortable as we rode the trail, feeling exhilarated after the long winter. The bumpiness of the trial this time of year kept us at a slow pace.

The trail was 99% snow and ice free, except for a small section which had just enough shade. There were small patches of snow on the trail itself though the ditches were full of snow in that area.

We turned around in Miscouche, about 8 kilometres from home where horses and an old barn and fence always make a good subject for the camera. 

I waited for the foal to stand but it was resting while its mother, standing nearby, had lost a sock, probably in the dryer like the rest of us.

All along the trail the Song Sparrows were busy in the trees, invisible, but making their presence known occasionally when they sang to the heavens for all they were worth. I always notice them.

We headed back and as we approached Summerside, a young man with a dog walked towards us. Whilst biking, I am wary of dogs on the trail since sometimes they will dart towards the bike if the walker doesn’t keep a short lead. I moved further away from them on the trail but ran over a small patch of snow which unfortunately sat on ice.  Consequently I fell to the ground with the bike on top of me. There was soil in my mouth and nose and despite the helmet, I hit my left forehead, scratched my nose and cheek. My husband, riding behind me, saw the man lower his head and walk on, without saying a word. 

I was stunned and it took a while to recover. I sat for a few minutes while my husband had a look at the bike which was fine. Slowly we rode home, my left arm and shoulder painful but able to move. The constant pain only lasted a day but I have bruises on my left arm and legs. It only hurts now if I reach with the left arm but I am healing well. The bike will have to wait for a while but I hope to be back riding the trail before long, when all the snow is gone.

Spring into freedom

One of the sure signs of spring in eastern Canada is a child on a bicycle while there is still snow on the ground. Such was the case recently when we accompanied our daughter and the kids to the boardwalk while the girls rode their new bicycles. 

As I watched them, I remembered what it was like to have a new bike, or even a “new to me” bike. The sense of freedom when I could ride off on my own was unmatched in my childhood. This ability to move around independently and quickly was thrilling. Riding with a friend was even better.

On the boardwalk, the girls rode ahead of us and stopped periodically to wait for us to catch up. 

They were thrilled on the bikes after the long winter and enjoyed trying them for speed and manoeuvrability.

Meanwhile their almost two year old brother didn’t want to ride in his stroller as he had done on our last visit there. He walked the entire way back to the car. The little guy was thrilled with his freedom to choose where to walk, on the snow along the side, the boardwalk itself or the nearby pavement. 

His mother indulged his joy in the moment while we walked ahead with the girls.

Love of freedom begins early.