Today at the office when one of my colleagues asked me what I did on the weekend my answer was: I rode bikes.

That is the simple answer. The longer and more complete answer is:

I met a whole bunch of very cool people. I raced four BMX races. I smiled and laughed like I haven’t done in a long time. I spent time with a good friend. I explored country roads. I ate gluten-free cookies and drank two cans of Cream Soda. I got a sunburn. I felt my body power me along. I enjoyed every single moment of it.

I’m not feeling that great health-wise right now and these moments on the bike are a chance for me to forget about my health problems and dream of what still could be. I’ve had to back off on my training. I’ve had to put any thoughts of doing local criterium races and the upcoming local road races on hold. Right now I’ve got enough in me for commuting to work, short bursts on the BMX track and a long easy ride on the weekend.

This is not what I had planned on doing at this time of the season. But it is what it is. And I’m going to make the best of it.

(A big thanks to all the cool people out at the Ottawa BMX track who have really helped me out and welcomed me into their fast-pedaling and high-flying gang. BMX is so much fun. Wish I had discovered it 20 years ago.)

Here’s a picture to get you pumped for BMX: