My new E-bike has arrived finally and I am enjoying the ride. My husband and I rode around our neighbourhood before we headed further afield. It took me some time to adjust to the pedal assist, throttle and gears. It is lots of fun however and the day it arrived I felt like a child at Christmas.
Then we had high winds, up to 89 km/h, 55 mph, which ruled out cycling for several days. When we were able to ride again, we took to the Confederation Trail. One month ago, when we rode this particular section of the trail, the scene was different.
Remember this old fence and the horses?
The horses are not in this field as the fence is destroyed, probably a casualty of the wind storm. It was sad to see the old fence this way.
This was the trail last month,
the green walls reaching skyward as we enjoyed the setting. A month later,
the green is replaced with autumn colour, predominantly red, as the maples reveal their Canadian identity. The sight makes us stop periodically to take in the fleeting beauty.
Many of the fields are already harvested and have been replanted for winter to prevent soil erosion. This field was harvested last month
and seeded with grass which has grown well.
The sound of water along the trail is unusual and again we stop.
Ice has started to form on the water, a reminder our days of cycling are numbered for this year. It’s gotten a lot colder this last week.
There is something calming to the spirit about cycling. Although the physical effort can be demanding, riding with the wind in your face, the sound of the birds and the occasional sighting, eyes on the trail ahead and the vegetation all around, are all exhilarating. The spirit absorbs the essence of the experience. You can call it the effect of endorphins, but I like to think the spirit recalls the experience and provides a sense of well being. I can’t wait to go again.