I want to ride my bicycle

Cas Sr. And Anne are bicycle riders. They travel to different parts of the world and ride bikes at the destinations. They say it's the best way to see the place you're visiting. It's slower than a car and you're more connected to the place. Having ridden down the road this morning, I see what they mean.

I was the only one without padded bike shorts. This was the thing that kept our 7-8 mile journey from doubling in length. It never occurred to me- I had to ask my Cas if I should bring workout clothes and tennis shoes, or of this was a khakis-and-sandals kind of thing. Turns out it's the sort of thing where you get all geared up. 

Behold, my borrowed gloves and helmet:

This was some no-fooling-around riding. As ever, I was down to clown. When we reached the point when we had to decide if the trip would double in duration or end soon, it was my lack of padded shorts that fueled my decision. My butt would have been pretty sore if I doubled down on the journey. When I was a kid, this wasn't a problem. Why are modern bicycle seats so hard and narrow? I remember a soft, wide seat that was padded. It was black and white like a saddle shoe with a black "S" for Schwinn on it. Why can't those be the thing everyone puts on bikes? These tiny, hard triangles of molded plastic don't make any sense to me.

Anyhow, I did remember how to ride a bike and I didn't fall off. If only there was some old expression about remembering how to do something like that... 

When we got back, Cas and I decided the best way to cool off was a dip in the water. I mean, we don't have a beach in our backyard, so we decided to seize the opportunity. 

For now, everyone is cleaning up. Cas is in the shower; I already took a turn. I presume Cas Sr. and Anne are cleaning up, as well. I think we're heading out to lunch. Sounds just about perfect.