Today was a fast day. A very fast day. Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, I’m not about to claim that I’m the next Aaron Gwin, or Bart Brentjens for that matter. I was, however, a darn sight faster than I’ve been for some time. I took a couple of laps around Sherwood Pines’ Kitchener Trail, which was in prime condition: dust, so much dust, and not a puddle or muddy bit on sight.

All of which meant I could go faster than ever before. A string of PRs on Strava got me thinking “Hey, I’m pretty quick!”. And then I saw just how far down the all-time list I actually am. For a brief moment, I was a bit downcast. “Bother,” I thought, “maybe I am dog slow after all.” Then I thought that actually, I didn’t give a flying fig where I am on the leader board. Despite the fact that I find some of times questionable, I’m pleased with today’s ride. I caught (modest) air, using all the little roots and natural kickers I could find. I was relatively smooth (for me), and heck, I even overtook a few people.

Sure, it won’t propel me to the dizzy heights of superstardom, or even to the top of the Strava leaderboard, but I really don’t care. I was fast today. Just don’t ask me to do it again tomorrow.