Road Cycling, My Spiritual Center of Gravity

Think of it as a dichotomy between discomfort, outright pain, and pure bliss. But it's more. It's the union of land, sky, wind, and nature. As I move forward briskly, I experience minute and invisible changes in air temperature and fluctuating humidity. I enjoy listening to the wind howl past my ears. I hear my breath as my lungs search for more air. The smooth hum of rubber against the fresh blacktop, changing to jagged vibrations on a rough surface, then maybe, on a hot cloudy day, the sloshy sounds of a rain-covered surface — all work together to keep my senses tuned.