Riding, Rewards and Reflecting

When I was young, I rode my bike around our cul-de-sac.  There were usually some "rewards" such as the chance to "beat" one of the neighbors, a handful of Charlie Chips from the delivery man, or an ice pop from a mom grateful we did not come in all afternoon. (not a real photo of my neighborhood!)

I was reflecting on the rewards of bike riding the other day as I upped the gears and made my way down a former rail trail.  These days, there are some pretty wonderful rewards on the trail. There was music in the park and Harney's Tea Store.   We sampled some amazing teas while we were there (Assam and Supreme Breakfast are among my new favorites) and listened to the "tea-brewing-master" (tea barista?)discuss the fine points of some teas that cost more per pound than my first car (we didn't invest in them).  We left after more than an hour of tea sampling with a bag full of teas strapped to my bike!

not a real photo of the geezer!

It has been a long time since we rode and we have overcome obstacles to return to the trails.  The fact that we were riding really was a reward all by itself. But, alas I could also look forward to a cup of very special tea after dinner. And then, near then end of the trail, some old geezer sitting on his porch hollered out, "Hi honey" and there was nobody but me around at that moment (my husband was far ahead of me)!  Admittedly, he sounded as if he had no teeth and who knows if he could even see me; however, I'll take it as a one more reward for the effort!