Here is a picture of flags flying at the toll booth as I was cycling to Ft. DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg. When cyclists look at flags such as these, of course they see the proud flags of the United States and the State of Florida. But, what they also see --what I saw-- is the direction the wind is blowing. Does the flag show that the wind is in my face (it was) or will it be at my back (as it was on the way back)? And more than that. If the flag is straight out, unfurled in the wind, then it means hard slogging ahead if I am heading into the wind. It means misery and riding at less than 15 mph. If the wind is behind me, however, then I feel like Superman, easily hitting speeds of 20+ mph.
The year's Deloitte Ride Across Britain is going from south to north, which is, I'm told, the general direction of the prevailing winds. Hopefully, there will be a tail wind much of the way. It will be a long, long trip if the flags show that the wind is in our faces.
A. Brian Albritton
August 20, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment