amazed

I’m calling this ride “I’m amazed that we’re still able to find new places to ride. Even if it’s just a short piece of track, it’s still worth it,” because that’s exactly what happened.

Every time we uncover another piece of road or region, I feel so glad. It’s like being in a computer game where the map is greyed out, and you venture further into the unknown to reveal more. Yeah, I know I’m being too romantic, but that’s what I love about riding my bike—it gives me a sense of freedom.

So, Pavel and I went for a spin, and I wanted to show him some new parts I had discovered on my recent rides to the valley of the Bystřice River. This valley is truly magical. The steep, narrow hills make you feel like you’re in high mountains, and the forest has a strangely good vibe. We both love being in this area. Once we left the regular cycle path, the forest road narrowed, with trees and nettles reclaiming it. Weaving through the flora, we entered a logging road. The dense forest opened into a more sparsely wooded area, where the light filtered through low. It was beautiful, and we stopped frequently to take pictures on our broken iPhones. As we climbed up the hill, talking and admiring the gorgeously lit forest, I missed a turn.

That small mistake led us to the top of a hill that wasn’t even named on the map. The combination of the time of day—about an hour before sunset—the sunlight, and this tiny error made the ride feel very special. I know it’s hard to explain, but at that moment, we were both thrilled. Like little kids, we were so happy. Thinking back now, it’s funny how such simple things can make you that happy.

For the rest of the ride, I kept thinking about that place, cherishing the moment.