Another Used-to-Be: Cycling

Eight years ago today I rode my Trice from here in North Liberty to Millstream Brewery in the Amana Colonies, a trek of about 19 miles each way. Though it was not a long ride as they go, it was an accomplishment just because I wanted to do it for a while.

Two things I remember; the stretch of roadwork on Hwy 6 where new asphalt was being laid – I had to navigate the one-lane road that remained open along with the rest of the highway traffic, and Millstream Brewery.

Millstream resurrected brewing in the Amanas in 1985 after about 100 years without a brewery. I had a blast at their sample bar trying various brews, taking them out to the patio to quench my thirst. Unfortunately I was by myself and am not in the picture with my ride. I was happy to have made the trek home without incident after having a few. I rather enjoyed it. It’s not something I would normally do.

Which leads me to the title of this post. I was a cyclist for over 20 years. Starting out in the Mason City area on a “normal” road bike, I switched to a recumbent 2-wheeler and rode all over North Central Iowa. I’d break it down, put it in the back of my Honda Element, go to state parks, or just ride the county roads around the area. I even rode the loop around Crater Lake in Oregon on a solo road trip I took in 2006.

I later sold that bike and bought a Trice 3-wheel recumbent; the one in the picture at Millstream. I so enjoyed that ride. No balance problems, smooth gear ratios. But it became a problem as I aged and moved to the river hills area around Iowa City. It became too much and I actually completely quit riding and sold my rig about four years ago.

So today my Facebook feed posted the Millstream picture (at the top of this post) to remind me of the event I posted back then. It worked. Here I am reminiscing about times past and won’t be again. Riding was good times. Walking is my good times now.

Whatever it is you enjoy, go do it. You never know how long you’ll be able to enjoy your special, personal, good time.