I have mentioned before that I prefer sleep to partying on New Year's Eve (or any eve, for that matter). One consequence of this is that I can start the first day of the year relatively early, if I so choose, and happily refreshed, at least in theory.
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| I apologise for phone quality photos throughout |
This year, we returned from Dunsborough on New Year's Eve, which meant that the 1st of January was the first day in a while that I'd had access to more than my feet for exercise. Fond as I am of my feet, and the running they allow me to do, I like variety in my activity too. Cycling was looking appealing.
At 6.30am on the 1st January, I headed out on my bike.
I cycled to the coastline, where the sunshine would suggest 10am instead of 7am.
I cycled along cycle paths, which I had mostly to myself.
I cycled through trees, welcoming their shade.
And as I cycled, I felt such joy.
Joy at the process of movement.
Joy at the early morning light that twinkled and sparkled even as it made me hot.
Joy at being able to cycle 25km and enjoy every minute of it.
And most of all, joy at the sense of possibility that comes from being on a bike, half way across your city, on the first morning of the first day of a new year.
That morning captured so much of what I love about exercise. It is a heady combination of freedom, movement, beauty, challenge, and possibility. And I love it.
What is exercise for you?
And more generally, what joyous things are happening in your life at the moment?
And more generally, what joyous things are happening in your life at the moment?
I really need to get out on my bike further than the supermarket which has been most of my rides lately - your ride sounds gorgeous - did you go so early to beat the heat or were you just raring to go?
ReplyDeleteMostly to avoid the heat, if truth be told :-) I was keen to go, but could have waited until 7.30am if it was cooler!
DeleteSuch a lovely refreshing post... to me exercise is all these things, getting outdoors and into the real world (instead of the cyber one!). I love getting my heart pumping and returning home at the end feeling happily worn out, ready for a good meal and a relax. What a lovely way for you to start the year :)
ReplyDeleteYou sum it up beautifully :) Getting into the real world and returning home happily worn out and ready to relax. If I don't get worn out first, relaxing is far less fun!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous, fun beginning to the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan - it really was :)
DeleteI am definitely a fan of sleep over hangovers, that's for sure! and exercise over hangovers. Sounds like you started off the new year right!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne :)
DeleteThat bike trail looks amazing... I wish we had a coastline in KCMO (the closest we have are rivers... not quite as beautiful!) I'm a runner and a yogi, but my boyfriend and I are planning a 5-day bike trip across the state of Missouri (he's a cyclist and has biked it before), so I'll be purchasing a bike soon to start training! This post is making me even more excited about it! You really know how to start the new year off right!
ReplyDeleteOh, how fun! I am much more into running than cycling really, but love cycling for variety and because you can travel so much further. I think you'll find your running fitness translates quite well, at least for flat surfaces - hills still defeat me on occasion! I'll look forward to hearing more about your trip in due course :-)
DeleteAt 6.30am on NYD I'm quite sure you would have had the roads to yourself - everyone else would have only been in bed for a few hours. What a terrific opportunity for you to be able to get out and enjoy such beautiful scenery. I've heard Perth is a great city for cycling (unlike Sydney!) xx
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty quiet, although I was surprised to see anyone about - the beach was starting to get busy already! (It looked like a few people hadn't gone home yet though...)
DeletePerth is quite good for cycling, we are lucky that way. Sydney is so much bigger and busier it is a more daunting prospect!
I'm a home type of exercise person! My workout dvd's are countless :-/
ReplyDeleteAnd then I get the air-con for this weather too so there's no excuse!!!!
In this weather I can see the appeal :-) I have hardly ever done workout DVDs though - I just never got into them. In saying that, I bought my very first last week; one of the Xtend barre workouts as part of my effort to do more pilates-type work. I have tried it once and my stomach is sore as a result!
DeleteYou know its working when you feel sore hey!!!! :-)
DeleteThanks for your positive input into my recent post omni & vego meals - I did wonder how it would go down!!!! :-) It was nice hearing some good - thankyou :-)
I do pump class (weights) every Sunday, walk for an hour once a week and try to get to the gym most other days. If I don't, I feel horribly anxious! I think that the best part of my life right now is my 4 year anniversary with Tyler coming up on Australia Day :) Woo!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting Cass! You've been together longer than Mr Bite and I :-)
DeleteHi Kari,
ReplyDeleteI love these types of bike rides. Just relaxed on the whole - you can "work out" life as you go!
x
I feel so inspired! Biking is my favorite. I wish the roads weren't so icy where I live so I could go for a ride.
ReplyDelete<3 Melissa
wildflwrchild.blogspot.com
Hopefully they'll de-ice soon and you can get out there and have fun :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful area to bike at. I can't wait for the snow to go away so that I can take my new road bike for a spin!
ReplyDeleteRight now I am joyful that I am healthy and feeling content at the moment. I am doing really good on my new year's goals and I might even have my credit card paid off sooner than I was anticipating. Woohoo!
Woohoo indeed! That does sound joyous :-)
DeleteBeautiful!! I can't believe your weather--a bike ride like that won't be happening for me till spring. Lucky! :D
ReplyDeleteWell, by midday, it was too hot to be out there, but at least the early morning was nice :)
DeleteAhh, this looks like such a great bike ride. It's been so long since I have gone on one and the last one went by so fast and it was so cold that I didn't really even stop to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHopefully your weather will warm up soon and you can have fun when out and about again :)
DeleteExercise is a task that must be done for me. I try so hard to find the joy in it, but other than dance, it is the thing I make myself do so that I can eat all the yummy things.
ReplyDeleteLots of strange and random things happening in my life at the moment, so I'm seeking joy in the small things. Today I'm joyful that the weather is a little cooler and I got a really restful night's sleep.
Cooler weather is a big source of joy here, too, when it happens!
DeleteI guess your love of dance parallels a bit with my love of running and cycling (cycling is only once per week, usually for 30 minutes, so it's not my first love) :-) I like to think everyone has at least one activity that's right for them. I'm glad we've found ours!