Essay: On Bidding Summer Farewell

(2015) The last day of summer provided a fantastic farewell. I was unsure about getting out in time to come back with sufficient light. I was even unsure as to the possibility of a standard route. It all worked out. As I’m sure many of the other riders whom I saw from a distance tonight, I doubted the possibility of an enjoyable ride after work. The cloud cover makes for earlier-than-noted sunsets; today was no different. I assumed a power pose while staring out the window. I was only losing more time. I owed it to summer to get a few more miles out of it.

I do not possess a sufficient riding light to solve the daylight dilemma. Instead I rely on my ability to return prior to the setting summer sun and the arrival of the fall equinox. Just a quick ride would be satisfactory in seeing off another prime cycling season. Just a quick ride.

I justified getting on the bike by stating to only ride an abbreviated route – how unsatisfied I would be by such an experience. No. Instead of a shorter route, I was now going to wring the After Work Route for all its worth. Sometimes it’s just better to let it all scatter in the breeze. The sunlight created a soft glow of the cornfields. Clouds started out glowing white-hot in color, then to orange, then to red, then to pink. It was all so beautiful.

Unlike Persephone, I’ll not store the bike in the basement until its rebirth next spring. The Grand Tours have given way to the Fall Classics. The race tires will be stowed and replaced by flat resistant casings. This summer has seen a lot of miles; this fall will see crafted miles.