bad ass

yesterday my bicycle got a new cassette, and my shifting and pedaling this morning were smooth and lovely.

and my route included about 5 miles of newly-laid asphalt: heaven!

but what completely made my morning was the guy in the canyon who called me a bad ass. I followed him for the first three miles up, a discrete distance behind, and then passed him, saying I know you’ll come catch me, to which he responded eventually, but you’re a bad ass!

I became the rabbit, of course, and had to stay steady. two miles later I heard his labored breathing behind me at the top of a rise, but he backed off as the road eased. during the last tenth of a mile I heard him behind me again, breathing heavily, and as he passed me at the crest he offered me a fist bump and said, nice pace, you are a bad ass!

yes, I’m still glowing.

whoever you are, thanks for making my day.