This year’s Lewes cycling weekend was cancelled, a favorite annual PPTC event.
No one predicted the outbreak of the coronavirus, not even the President.
He did offer some cures, but I don’t recommend you ingest or inject Lysol or even bleach.
In fact, I prudently suggest you cover your ears to protect yourself from his freedom of speech!
Sadly, the pandemic has stolen our in-person happy hours and our group rides.
It’s taken away our freedom to mingle and has kept us inside.
The parks are closed, the theaters empty, the stores are boarded up.
But at home, the bottle’s open, the corks popped; it doesn’t take long to drain the cup!
If we were in Lewes, we’d be cycling the Lewes-Georgetown trail.
Westward ho, into that unrelenting—but expected—east coast gale!
Now extended 5 miles, the rail-trail goes under the Coastal Highway.
No more white knuckle Route 1 crossings, instead a peaceful byway!
We’d have cycled with Barry Taylor and Fred Carson on their custom-narrated rides,
Then Bettina Myers would carefully stretch our muscles from all their achy sides.
We’d be dining on salmon, lemon chicken, spanakopita, and moussaka at the Blue Sea Café.
Replacing all those calories burned and catching up with the cycling tales of the day.
Sharing stories of our past mild winter rides, the lovely fall trips, and the hot, hot summer spins.
When there was total joy in riding with friends because, after all, it never matters who wins.
So, just what did you do this year--in lieu-- of biking in Lewes, Delaware?
I’m assuming you stayed home, because we can’t go just anywhere.
I cleaned my bike. Who knew that under that black chain grease was silver so shiny?
Now my two-wheeled, detailed road bike is absolutely, positively worthy of my hiney!
I pulled out my wind-trainer, still bolted to my first (bought used) vintage 10-speed.
Put it in front of the TV, pretended it was the Tour de France, and I was in the lead!
I confess I did venture out to bike a quiet route where I could confidently social distance.
Only did it twice, as an attempt to maintain some semblance of a healthy aerobic persistence.
RIding was accomplished but there was something that just wasn’t the same.
My friends weren’t there. No one called me “turtle”, my well-earned pet name.
I miss the group rides and the camaraderie we’ve developed over these many years.
Whether Lewes or on monthly rides, it’s just more fun to be with others when you spin gears!
Stay safe and healthy and stay-tuned for some fun.
Maybe Lewes in the fall or for sure in 2021!
