Rawhide

Rawhide takes on a whole new meaning when you live in the mountains.

Now I know to some, the world ‘rawhide’ conjures up old TV shows, saddles, or lampshades, but in my case I am talking about the phenomenon that occurs when you decide to ride your bike along mountain trails several days in a row after nearly a year break.

I know we have all been thinking it; “thank goodness it’s finally summer", and I get that, I am just saying pace yourself.

I see some of your looks when McGyver, Samson and I ride by with our biking accessories, “but I am too happy to care. A mama needs to be able to have one or two things left to strap her toddler into so she can have a few calm moments to enjoy her surroundings, take time off from playing a defensive lineman 24 / 7 tackling her son minutes before he has found danger, and revisit the possibility of finding her old body again.

When you allow us those three simple pleasures, the world is a better place for everyone.

So even though my tush might be smarting a bit, something wonderful happens to me each time I mount my bike that make is all worth it.

As the pedals maketheir firstfull rotation, I revert back in time to when I was a young tomboy, and watch as the projector screen in my mind replays ‘The Best of Biking Clips' from then until now.

I ‘get’ the winters in the mountains, but I wait for summer with the same anticipation I used to have waiting to lickthe batter from the mixer when my mom was baking. And even if it made me a little sick, I licked the beaters dry because I knew it might be some time before I could do it again.


Yes, enjoying the moment is important, we hear that nearly every day now, and while it is definitely true, I must also fess up that this impromptu tribute to my bike may have a little to do with some residual guilt having almost betrayed her this winter.

I am a little ashamed, so I won’t admit this again if you ask, but I did consider purchasing a Nintendo Wii Fitin March. (In my defense, the long winter nearly robbed me of my sanity).

Now I know that my bike, Gabi,would have understood since I could not ride her in the snow, but I still feel a little dirty having even considering such an act of treason.

Thankfully something in the pit of my stomach told me it was wrong to buy a video game that simulates exercise when I live in the mountains steps from walking, hiking and biking trails, kayaking, boating, skiing, and all things geared towards outdoor recreation.

Still, trying hard not to be called a hypocrite one day (since that seems to be everyone's buzz word thissummer whenanyone says anything.),just in case the winters continue to be brutal and one day you do see a Nintendo Wii Fit at our house, just know that I held as long as I could so that Gabi could continue being treated in the fashion that she is accustomed to. . .

and that in my heart I know that she is the only one who gives me a true raw hide, black hands, broken chains and all the good things of which great memories are made.