| I start my weekend mornings very early when people are still sleeping, waiting until noon to wake up. I'm usually up before the sun is and I make my way outside just as the tip of the sun starts to peek over the horizon. And I'll admit, I really am a morning person. There's just something about the crack of dawn that appeals so much to me. It's that sense of a fresh, new start of the day that gets me going, perhaps. It all starts at 0530 when I wake up and find the strength to pull myself out of bed, especially when it's not essential to get out of bed this early. I take a quick shower to wake me up then I go off to brush my teeth. I start getting dressed and added extra clothing to bundle up for that early morning chill, especially during the winter season here in Japan. I slap on my balaclava to keep my ears and face warm, then I strap on my helmet. Out the door I go and I pull my bike out of the storage room. Believe it or not, I do stretch before a good bike ride so throw that into my checklist. I remember to get my backpack and I pack a bottle of water and a Clif bar. It's now 0630 and I'm on my bike. After leaving the house, I turn left to follow my daily route. It's pretty chilly and it's still a little dark so I flip my light on and I just keep cruising. I eventually make my way around to the sea wall and I ride right next to the fence, about two feet from the actual ocean. It's not a paved track, it consists of grass with patches of gravel here and there and fairly uneven, enough to work my shocks out. In the distance, I see gulls flying around and the calm lapping of waves on the brick sea wall. I see Japanese fishing boats preparing their nets to have a go at their daily catch. Along the sea wall, I pedal past a couple of runners. I briefly greet them, of course, with a smile on my face. It seems as if the morning people have their own sense of connection, it's like, "Hey, you're out here on this early in the morning, I like the way you think." My stomach grumbled a little so I stop at a gazeebo near the sea wall and I find the Clif bar I threw into my backpack just before I left. I open the wrapper and pull out the most delicious, cranberry apple cherry flavored Clif bar. It's the highlight of any cyclist's ride. I broke it into two, put one half back into the wrapper for another stop, later in the ride and I start eating the other half. And so I sit, eating a Clif bar and staring into the ocean, watching life pass by in those few minutes. It really makes you think and your mind begins to wander. It's seems a bit nostalgic. |
