Bicycling Over the Pass to Eagle's Nest, NM

10/06/14:
Whew! What a day. For some reason, I got it into my head to bicycle up the hill, over the pass, and down to Eagle's Nest to the Post Office. I knew I needed to mail letters, and thought it would be a challenge to bicycle there. I'd had a little practice in the N. Georgia mountains and got the rhythm of standing, pedalling slowly, and making up steep hills. This hill was 8 miles up and 1,000 feet of elevation. The decent brought me back to 8,265 feet above sea level which meant that after the long, slow, exhausting climb to the top, there would be a rapid decent to town. But coming back there was a much shorter climb, and then a long 8 mile decent. I pedalled for only a few minutes the entire way back to camp...after the climb to the pass.
 I learned another precious little gem on the initial climb. At about the 3/4 point up the steepest part, I had to take a break. My chest was heaving, my heart was pounding, and my mouth felt parched and vey dry. I rested my head on my arms over the handlebars and had some inspiration. I did a short meditation thinking only to clear my mind by counting my breaths. My mind eased, I felt a relaxation. I was not troubled by how many more switchbacks were left before the top. I didn't think about whether I would make it or have to turn around. I wasn't worried about having a coronary, or if I'd damaged my circulatory system from too much fast food for so many years. I really had a moment or two of no concerns at all. And before I started to pedal again, I thought, "Why don't I give my mind a rest?" And just let the body do the work climbing the hill. The mind had very little to do with helping the body, and was actually interfering by consuming the energy spent on worry. It was a novel thought for me. So on I went, not thinking about how far the top was, but just about giving my mind a rest and letting my body do the work. And I made it! How much energy I've spent on worry...what a waste! Let's see about letting go of worry. I'll just give my mind a rest, and listen a little more to my body.
 So I got to the Post Office and mailed two letters. Nothing of significance, but two letters of mostly newsy stuff to friends. It's a pretty reliable form of communication, especially since my cell phone is nearly useless here. And my email is effective when I get to the Wifi location 12 miles away. I like that I sent letters. I found a lunch spot in Eagles Nest and had my first meal out in a week. That's a long time for me, but very good for the food budget. A burger and fries at an all natural place called D and D's was just what I needed. My fear was that the trip back home would be difficult. How wrong I was! So this burger and fries got me some calories to burn and I went back over the pass and coasted nearly the whole way back to camp. Tired, but a great story and so rewarding to the physical spirit.