5:15 am
The alarm goes off. The sun is barely up. I reach on to the floor and grab my knickers. Rain is coming tonight, and I know this is gonna be my last chance to ride in the woods for a while. I want to be at the trail head by 5:45. Still the bed is warm, I am tired, and grumpy.

5:40 am
Out of the truck and on to the bike. I turn on my mp3 player. Sometimes some music helps get the blood flowing. I have the volume up a little high I reach back to turn it down. I can't find the button. I pull it out of my pocket, jerk the cord, which pulls my head back, I fumble the player, and launch it on to the ground. damn it. How has this thing lasted 3 years ? I pick it up. still working. back to the bike. I'm still grumpy

6:00 am
climbing over the border trail, my legs feel tired, I feel a small twinge of cramp in my calf. I know I'm a little dehydrated. Coming down the other side, I almost stack it as the front wheel breaks a little loose. Damn need new tires for this bike. great spend more money. I can hear Diane busting my chops now. This has been an expensive month. I bet shuffleboard would be a cheaper hobby. I climb the switch back, pushing myself, I am suffering. I think to myself. "you know, at Christmas, I just wanted to be able to ride my bike" " 8 weeks ago I just wanted to be able to not get dropped by my friends" " and now, now I want to be fast. why can't I be satisfied ?" What the hell am I doing out here at 6:00 in the morning ?" What the hell is wrong with me ? I struggle over the top of the switch back climb, used too much gas at the bottom. I'm cold, I start to question if I wore enough clothing. "damn it I should have stayed in bed." I am surly and getting crankier.

6:20 am
I climb over Brian's Field trail and hit a pocket of warm air. It feels good. My legs, although still tired have opened up. Prodigy's "smack my bitch up" thumps with a driving techno beat in my head. I rip through the corners, leaning way over. Yeah this is fun.

6:40 am
I climb crisply past the skills trail and descend with precision. I pass gentleman walking his dog. I give him a high 5. I love when people play my games. Iggy Pop is singing " I am a passenger. I ride and I ride..." I climb up the field behind Saint Bartoo's house and I know why I am here. This is what I do. damn it's beautiful. This sun is shining in it’s full glory. Iggy sings ," we ride through the city at night,,, la, la, la ladity da,..." I feel warm and giddy...

6:50 am
I'm heading back to the toaster (my truck)… Kid Rock sings in my ear "you get what you put in, and people get what they deserve, still I ain't seen mine, no I ain’t seen mine..." I sing out loud with the pimp of america. This is one of the things you can do before 7:00 am in the woods. I turn a crank in anger, I charge through the last section. My heart rate spikes. I am high on myself, basking in the glory of the trails, the sunshine, I cruise out of the park and on to Chambers Rock Road. I raise my hands in victory. This morning was a victory. I am totally stoked. I think to myself, "Good enough, is not good enough. Part of the fun of this game, is to see how far I can go, how far I can progress, and just what I can do, " I am a product of the Wooden Wheels Family, the freaking greatest mountainbike team in the world, I am proud to be a founding member of the Secret Henry's Team. I am the...

6:51am
Some MBNA motherfucker talking on his cell phone tries to run me off the bridge, that I was clearly on first. Bastard. Go play golf or something…

The Rolling Stones begin to play in my ears... "please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste..." I feel a funny smile come across my face. Yeah, that's it. I am the Spot Brand Corporate Whore... I am a hack ass, small fish single speeder. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I turn right on to the fire-road that leads to my truck, and I know what I am, and why I am here early this morning. I am resplendent. "so if you meet me show some courtesy, have some sympathy and some taste…"

7:40 am
I’m at work with a Cheshire grin on my face, I call my wife and tell her I’m safe and that I love her. Today, is going to be a good day…

7:00 PM
Return from Henry’s tonight and Diane has some bad news for me. Diane reports sadly that Slick Rick and Dan the Man must be color blind, because my new jerseys no way match the henry’s shorts. That’s okay, matching is over rated anyway…

Respect
fm