A ride down memory lane...

First, I need to share what we had for dinner last night. It was so simple and delicious that I demand you:  if you're sitting around wondering what the hell you're going to make for dinner, to follow this recipe from EatingWell.com, and then thank me later. They are BBQ Portobello Quesadillas.

I woke up this morning with the plan to ride 24 miles on my bike, which would be the longest I have ever rode. However, instead of going my normal route of North on the Pinellas Trail, I decided to go South towards the downtown St. Pete area. Whoa, the crazy things I do in my life. I tell 'ya! I'm a crazy impromptu woman.

Anywho.

For breakfast, I had one cup of plain greek yogurt with one banana, 1/2 cup raw oatmeal, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds, drizzle of honey, and a tiny scoop of the chocolate avocado pudding that I made last night. Seriously. I've had this breakfast before, but I've determined it's the best pre-ride breakfast because it is so high in protein, the perfect amount of carbs, and fiber. I wish I took a photo. Not that it was spectacular looking, but I loved it so much.

Enough gawking over breakfast...

I packed up the bike and off I went. Normally, I start at Mile Marker 7 and the numbers go up from there, but today, I began a little before 6, and the numbers went down. I wasn't sure what would happen after mile marker 1 since they have just recently extended the trail passed 34th St. and into the downtown area.

Well, sadly, the mile markers end. And since I don't have a computer on my bike, I had no idea how far I was going. I ended up at Tropicana Field, and then 1st Avenue south, smack-dab in the middle of downtown. I almost turned back, but I figured I went this far, I might as well go drive by the water.

It was gorgeous, really. The wind was kind of fierce on the way there, and once I made it to a bench, the water was choppy and tons of boats were anchored, swaying back and forth.

I decided to stop and eat a granola bar.

Honestly, I thought I must have gone further than 24 miles. There were tons of stops due to the red lights, so I think that's what made the ride longer. The best part of this ride is that it took me through a lot of areas that I grew up in. I drove over the bridge from my elementary school where I used to play with one of my best childhood friends. I drove past my aunt's old house, past my high school, past the place on the trail that we built a fort in the tree, etc. It kind of brought me back.

 During the ride, I wasn't really pushing myself too hard; mostly taking in my surroundings and reminiscing about growing up. That's why I love to ride. I'm still so new to running that I can't just zone out, but with cycling? I can think of a million different things besides my bike! I mean, I grew up riding my bike. It was like an additional body part. Probably about 6 years ago, my step Dad left his bike out one night, and I decided to bring it in for him, but ended up riding it around the block. At the time, I was about 19-20 and I hadn't rode a bike since childhood. It was a crisp, fall night and I remember feeling so alive ("And in that moment, I swear were infinite"). It was so FUN. It was one of those gleeful moments when you felt like laughing out loud, and screaming, "weeee!!!"  I missed that feeling of being free, flying down the road with the wind blowing through my hair. And after that night, Mirza and I both bought cheap cruisers and we enjoyed riding at night. Those were some of the best times. And that is why I love to ride my bike!!!

Back to the ride...

 I did go through a bit of a sketchy part of the 'burg, but it didn't bother or scare me.

When I finally made it home, I checked my ride on Mapmyride.com and it was 20 miles! It's all good. I'll take it.

And then I inhaled some more quesadillas from last night with a side of broccoli slaw that was dressed in greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder. And an orange.

Dessert was a graham cracker with chocolate avocado pudding slabbed in the middle straight from the freezer...

Is there an activity from your childhood that you miss? Is it something you could bring back to experience as an adult? Share!:)