A series of mini-strokes in 2021 wiped out my "mental map" of routes I've taken, roads I used to know like the back of my hand. So now that I'm (mostly) better, I'm committed to ride those old routes to re-remember them. Today I rode to Lancaster, PA and the home of SRK cycles (now sorta defunct as a cycle shop). The weather was chilly and gusty as hell, but the rain and snow from yesterday had dried out, and most of the trip up was dry as a bone.
The ride from Germantown MD to Lancaster was programmed into Google Maps, so I wouldn't take any wrong turns. But as I rode, I recognized many of the old familiar landmarks, and found myself laughing out loud at some of the towns and roads I'd remembered, but couldn't recall where they were. The trip up was about 2-1/4 hrs, and in Lancaster, I posed the bike at SRK, then found a place for lunch, warmed up a bit, and headed on back home.
The sun finally came out, so the return trip was clear, if not warm. Serenity ran like a trooper throughout, handling the gusts of wind smoothly. I'll need to adjust my exercise routine to avoid pelvic pain and hand cramps, but I got through the trip great... to find out my garage door opener needs a new battery (d'oh!).
Anyway, that made for a good first 2023 ride today, and it was good to rediscover some of the routes I had stuck in my memory. As I have time I'll be doing more of these rides, to relearn my great riding region.
![Tire Wheel Fuel tank Plant Vehicle]()
The ride from Germantown MD to Lancaster was programmed into Google Maps, so I wouldn't take any wrong turns. But as I rode, I recognized many of the old familiar landmarks, and found myself laughing out loud at some of the towns and roads I'd remembered, but couldn't recall where they were. The trip up was about 2-1/4 hrs, and in Lancaster, I posed the bike at SRK, then found a place for lunch, warmed up a bit, and headed on back home.
The sun finally came out, so the return trip was clear, if not warm. Serenity ran like a trooper throughout, handling the gusts of wind smoothly. I'll need to adjust my exercise routine to avoid pelvic pain and hand cramps, but I got through the trip great... to find out my garage door opener needs a new battery (d'oh!).
Anyway, that made for a good first 2023 ride today, and it was good to rediscover some of the routes I had stuck in my memory. As I have time I'll be doing more of these rides, to relearn my great riding region.
