While riding home...

I mentioned in my report of Saturday's not-quite-completed Animalthon brevet ride that I took shelter at a cabin museum where there was a small display devoted to the Pileated Woodpecker, an extremely interesting bird that I have never actually seen. I have read a great deal about one of the most spectacular birds to have gone extinct in the United States, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, and the Pileated resembles it closely although it is somewhat smaller.

The weather in Ottawa has become quite wonderful, with clear blue skies, although the mornings are still just above freezing. Yesterday I rode home a bit later than usual, enjoyng the sunshine. I ride through residential streets and as I passed a house with a small tree in front I suddenly saw a large black bird swoop down and land on the trunk. It flew so strangely that I stopped to watch and--behold!--there was a male Pileated Woodpecker. It was about the size of a crow and did not pay any attention to me although I was only a short distance away. He ran methodically up to the top of the tree over the next few minutes and then flew away. A marvellous sight and one that I certainly did not expect to see in town.

I enjoy my short commute every day and opportunities like this would never come if I was in the car or on a bus. It is a pleasure to hear the bird singing, or seeing people out walking their dogs early or enjoying the sight of ducks and geese on the Rideau River. This aspect of bicycle commuting is not touched on much compared to the exercise or fuel savings or more prosaic elements but it certainly makes it worthwhile for me. Especially if I don't have to drag the bike through ice and snow to do it!

Saturday Ride: home again fast...

The day began with pouring rain and thunderstorms and continued into the afternoon. I spent my time usefully, cleaning bike parts and reassembling the Marinoni, fresh from its visit to the factory for refinishing. The bike shop around the corner will do the final work for me around June 13th, as I discovered when I walked over there in blazing sunshine and some humidity.

Returning home, I saddled up the Tarmac and decided to ride the Ottawa bicycle path loop, which I have not done since my return to Ottawa in September. Things started out well with a cruise through Rockcliffe Park and then I had smooth sailing on the path but by the time I reached Hog's Back it was clear that the thunderstorms were on their way back. I turned around and hustled home, only getting moderately wet. Since I had spent two hours cleaning up the Tarmac on Monday I was happy I did not have to do it again. 30 kms: better than nothing.

TGIF

Last night as I rode home my legs hurt, and then my head, and then I had a sore throat, a resurgence of last week's annoying cold. I was disappointed not only because I felt lousy but because I could not ride the OBC Thursday time trial that was scheduled for my training. Instead I spent the evening drinking tea and watching "Lost" on television. I don't watch much tv and had never seen this before. It was quite interesting (it must surely be filmed in lush Hawaii) but completely baffling.

This morning I got up early and felt much better. I left home, riding BlackAdder off into the cool sunshine, and took the longer way in, along the Rideau River bike path. Crossing the triple bridge, I pulled off onto a little island and looked at a recent memorial to the Hungarian Revolution, of all things, and then stopped to watch four adult Canada Geese which had nine fluffly goslings among them. There were lots of people walking dogs, and the grass was a lush, rich green. I was in a great mood rolling in to work, although my office is being moved and everything, including electronic connections, is in total disarray. Cycling clears your head and it is fun to go slow too.

I feel well enough to do some fast spins tonight and my Coach of Cruelty has scheduled me for 90 minutes of work. It won't make up for the lost time trial but at least I will be back on schedule. The weekend forecast is for rain, rain, rain so I think it might be off to the gym, plus polishing up the Campagnolo parts before reassembling the Marinoni.