I woke up on Thursday in a really bad mood, still contemplating the road ahead with radiation treatments. I didn’t really want to inflict myself on anyone else so cancelled my registration for the RBC Ramble ride, scheduled for wheels rolling at 10.
But around 8:45 I decided I could be in a better pissy mood on the bike than at home so scrambled to get my act together and tell Laura I was on my way.
Amazingly, I remembered all my stuff and got to her house to pick her up in plenty of time to meet our riders at Skatequest.
There were six of us setting out down the W&OD to see the cherry blossoms at Hains Point and the Tidal Basin. Laura was the ride leader and I rode sweep along with my fellow trail patroller (and president) Bob.
The ride was quite uneventful, except missing the turn-off for lunch.
The cherry blossoms were out, as were the tourists. It is not a banner year for the beautiful spectacle that the trees often provide, and which has prompted the huge festival and influx of tourists, but beauty is found in the smallest of nature’s nod to timeless processes.
The cherry blossom watch reminds me of waiting for a baby to be born. Interpreting the signs correctly and getting the word out has become more exact, but still, natural processes have their own time line. Great anticipation fuels speculation which brings out “experts” from all walks of life. (Like all those strangers who give you baby advice when you’re very obviously pregnant)
But, the blossoms are brief, and subject to the vagaries of weather. A little too warm too soon, or a vicious cold snap, and everything in terms of “peak date” and how fluffed the trees are changes. Add wind, and the staying power of the blossoms are ever so fleeting, their purpose fulfilled as they are swept away. We had all of those conditions leading up to the bloom, and the poor trees were probably confused!
Nonetheless, it is always worth a ride down there. NEVER have I found it worth driving though so although people disparage Metro, I am grateful that it was running just fine and we could catch it home.
It was my longest ride yet since December, and while I was tired, I wasn’t completely wiped out, so I know I’m on my way back. Just short of 30 miles.
And, my pissy mood evaporated too. Funny how that works!

Jefferson Memorial, 2018

Washington Monument, 2018

Magic Surly Straggler, 2018