Ride in Winter

Yes, We ride in winter.
Approaching sunset in Asheville.
How I love the bare branches
That throw shadows across the road.
Lines and bends.
Spectacular beauty.
Heartbeats.
Stark strength.
And an endless mysterious ride.

Forsythia is out in WNC

“Human rebirth has no end.” ~ Pablo Neruda

The forsythia is out and glorious gold. Swaying in the wind with carefree brilliance. On the bike, Spring is so noticeable. It pops from the earth and trees. Each bend, a new cathedral rises. And the forsythia... Just stunning beacons of hope.

According to aboutforsythia.com the forsythia is named for William Forysth, director of the Chelsea Physic Garden in 1770, maker of the first rock garden in the UK and one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society.

These “golden bells” herald rebirth and the coming of spring. The bursts of gold are beacons of inspiration and hope. And after a "long cold winter:" Ah, spring!

Leicester Poker Run

On an absolutely perfect day, we rode in the 8th Annual Leicester Fire Department Christmas for Children Toy/ Poker Run to raise money for poor children. The roundtrip route was about 100 miles, through Clyde, Waynesville, Hot Springs, and Marshall. Winding curves through farmlands of corn and cattle

The township of Leicester (pronounced Les-ter), originally known as Turkey Creek, was named for Leicester Chapman, a mercantile businessman who was Postmaster of the township until 1856. Leicester is about 10 miles northwest of Asheville, with an elevation of about 2,100 feet and population of 12,514 in 2007, a growth of 16.26% since 2000.