Night Falls On The Monon

The Monon is a greenway/trail, which I had never biked on until Thursday evening. The plan was to meet Candy at 96th Street at 6 p.m. and then proceed north on our bikes. I arrived at 5:45 and spent time testing my brand new pedals and derailleur for the first time before the "official" start of our ride. Candy arrived at 6 and shortly thereafter we were en route.

I asked Candy about the route in a conversation a few days prior to our ride to find out if there would be any potential obstacles. If you know me, you know that occasionally I require a "workaround". Outdoor activities such as biking, hiking (OK, perhaps I should just call it walking) are prime examples of times when I might require a workaround in the form of a detour. On the up side, it adds more miles to a bike ride or walk, which is good in terms of physical fitness, but on the downside it has the potential to inconvenience others. That is why I always make the attempt to discuss this matter beforehand.

Our ride started out simply enough, we rode while chatting and admiring the scenery. An obstacle did appear that required a detour. I thought Candy would notice, I had stopped biking. I waited several minutes to see if she would notice and return. Then, I picked up my cell to call her, and at the same time she was calling me.

I waited for her to ride back to my location. I was in the exact same spot I was as when she left. We resolved my concerns and were on our way once again.

Candy thought it would be nice to stop to eat. Generally, I prefer to eat after a bike ride or other physical activity has ended, but I wanted a cola and to try Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream restaurant in Carmel. I do not eat burgers, but thankfully Bub's has a good grilled chicken sandwich and very fresh sandwich bread (something that I do not encounter often in casual dining establishments).

I would say that this delayed us more than anything else that occurred during our ride, and led to us biking on the Monon in near darkness. There was one point where we rode through a brightly lit tunnel and the contrast between that and the darkness that was directly outside the tunnel's opening was dramatic. I am a night person, but I try to avoid biking at night. On this ride, part of me felt at one with the night and with nature (well, except for the bugs). It was creepy at times, but it also was exciting.

Before concluding, I must add I was impressed with the care the developers put into the Carmel section of the Monon.
I've driven by parts of the Monon in Indy and I don't recall any looking as good as the sections in Carmel and beyond. I will definitely ride there again, but will make sure I start out early enough. Oh, and there will still be a meal, it just will occur after the ride.

Some Thoughts on Social Intelligence

I read Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, Ph.D. for a book club. The book covered happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment and methods of achieving it. One concept mentioned is one that I've focused on in the past. Seligman and other psychology experts refer to what I would call people skills as social intelligence. If you would like Seligman's exact definition, see pages 143-144 of the hardcover edition.

Years ago, I did not understand people who were adept with everyone, I saw them as phony or fake. Basically, my view was "if almost everyone liked you and everyone thought you were their friend, then you were not being discriminating. (Just to clarify, by discriminating I mean selective).

Currently, I know three people who personify social intelligence but are far from being fake. In each case, even acquaintances believe they are friends and casual friends believe they are close friends. One of these socially-gifted individuals once said to me "I have many acquaintances, and few friends," but honestly if you asked the people this person indicated were acquaintances, they would have no idea they did not fall into the friend category. It occurred to me that maybe that is not a bad thing.

When I think of the warmth and kindness my lifelong friend brings to the lives she touches, I appreciate her all the more. When others seem to exude happiness (sometimes bordering on glee) when socializing with Friend#2 or Friend#3, it makes me glad that I know them and that I am able witness the positive effect they have on others.

Will I ever be like these three? I am self aware enough to state that it is doubtful. However, I am glad I realize the value they have added to my life as well as to the lives of others.

Mortality: Part of Our Human Experience

All we as humans can hope for is a life full of love, laughter, value, family and friends. It is difficult when a pillar of your family dies, but if there was suffering and they were ready to go, it is possible to remember them with a smile instead of a tear. I know this because I lost a parent years ago. In my mind, it was too soon. But, what was the alternative? Illness (in his case, cancer) has a way of breaking your body and your spirit and yet my dad went to work, kept a positive attitude, and participated in life for as long as he could. "Why are you still sleeping", he'd say to me "It is too nice a morning to spend it sleeping" and of course he was right. He was right about a lot of things. So when he said "do not resuscitate me", when the time came, we honored his wishes. Still, it was too soon and my life changed that day.

My aunt recently passed away and now I find myself recalling my memories of her, those home-cooked meals that she fed to all of the relatives who found their way to her doorstep every Thanksgiving, the kindness she showed me (such as throwing me a Sweet 17 party, the only surprise birthday party I've ever had). But my greatest memory of her was also a lesson to me. She showed me (and most likely others who knew her) the definition of inner strength and determination and for that I always will be grateful.

The Kindness of Biker Chicks

The title,of course, is referring to bicycles not motorcycles. I had the opportunity to join some nearly professional level riders on a tour of the Northeastside. I asked two people I know to accompany me. Although they declined, I decided to try the ride on my own. In my e-mail correspondence with the group's leader, she omitted the fact that this group rides 20 miles in 1.5 hours (and yes I did ask the question). Had I known this, I would not have even tried it.

Before this ride, the most I had ever biked was 4 miles and it took me more than 1.5 hours. Also, I tend to coast more than pedal, which presents a problem when the goal is 20 miles within a specific time frame. However, instead of leaving me, having an attitude or being condescending, these women who were strangers, assisted me. I had no water bottle, so one rider offered me a new bottle of water from her bike pack, without me asking. I tried to decline but she wasn't having it. I needed proper hydratiion. She also gave me some hints on how to get the best performance from my older bike, as did the group leader, again without me asking. It was kind of like having personal trainers for bicycling. I appreciated their support. I felt like I should have paid them.

Tonight, I biked on traffic-filled roads and quiet residential streets and by the time it ended, I had 10 miles (10.7 to be exact). under my belt. For me, that is a milestone.

Here's To Two Wheels Plus Steel

My friend RR has been riding the vintage bicycle below (purchased in 1980) for years. Given its appearance, I was amazed that he was able to go anywhere on it, but that soon changed when I became aware of the miles he's traveled. I biked with him recently and he was able to maintain a decent speed on busy roads at dusk. The bike not only handled pavement and blacktop well, but also grass and rocks. I struggled to keep up on my Huffy Omni 10-speed (circa 1985), which says more about me than the bike.

I thought RR and I were unusual even nonconformist in our sentimental devotion to old school bikes. But apparently, there are many others who are fans http://www.oldroads.com/