God, the NBA is still locked out and I can hardly remember the euphoria of last year's post season. I seem to remember it being full of close games, incredible upsets and moments of glory. Sometimes I wonder if I would have ever taken up cycling if the NBA season started on time. Quite possibly, instead of sweating up and down Daang Hari, I would be where I am now - sitting in front of my computer, figuring out my fantasy league draft strategy.
Anyway, I miss you NBA. I hope you gaziillionaires figure it out and let us fans in on the fun. In the meantime, and even when the lockout ends, I will be enjoying my time on the bike.
This morning, I woke up to a bleak, rainy morning. But by noon, the weather settled down to being cloudy witha light drizzle here and there. I suited up and went on my JP Rizal to Heritage Park route. That takes me through Kalayaan, the Fort, Lawton, and McKinley Hills on the way back. The road was wet, but not so tricky, and the weather was cool. It was a nice workout, right up until that Lawton - McKinley Hills intersection where traffic is usually backed up.
Bill Walton has said that when he comes home from his frequent bike rides, his wife has to remind him that she wasn't part of that six-hour conversation he had with himself. This traffic jam, along with jeepneys abruptly stopping in front of me, were interrupting my conversation with myself.
I like that Mrs. Walton likened bike rides to conversations with oneself. I've had a bit of trouble explaining to friends the appeal of waking up at ungodly hours to make it to a stretch of pavement so that I can pedal far before pedaling back, getting badly tanned and sweating like a pig on a spit in the process. But there it is, elegantly said by an NBA player's sharp wife - it's my way of conversing with myself, figuring out what I'm made of, and figuring out what I really want in life.
It's also my way of lowering my cholesterol level. But, yes, a conversation.
I made it past that traffic jam and on to Heritage Park. I turned around, went through the same jam and jeepneys, to pedal home.
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1. Those photos are from my route along JP Rizal, but were taken last weekend on the way to a Livestrong event that prompted my retirement from charity rides. I'll pay the money, get the jersey, raise awareness for the cause in my own way, but I'll try to avoid these rides. They're too crowded, and too slow which is a recipe for annoying accidents.
2. See what I did there? Basketball AND cycling. Read the Bill Walton on Bicycling.com HERE.
