Along Cedar Creek

I lost touch with one of my favorite pastimes of road bike riding when I moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee in 2018. Family events and a litany of orthopedic challenges derailed me. But after hitting a milestone birthday last fall, I resolved that this would be the year that I finally got back out on my bike.

So far, so good. I found a great ride group just south of Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to making some new friends, I’m enjoying the opportunity to learn more of the scenic backroads around my home.

This landscape comes from just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My fellow riders marvel at my ability to wheedle my phone out of my hydration pack and take photos while pedaling. Hyper-mobile shoulders help a lot!

I’m sure that someday my phone usage will bite me in the ass with a crash, but -- for now -- I can’t pass up magical moments like this. I loved the play of light throughout this subject.