when I'm on my bike
People ask me why I do this kind of thing? I always answer, "If you have to ask why... you will never understand". I know why I ride, I ride for me, time to find out who I am and what I'm made of, I do it for the love of the ride!!
One of the main aspects of & Other Stories is the prominence of the jewellery, the make-up, the lingerie and the leather handbags, they are dotted around the store alongside the clothes, stylised together as outfits rather than after thoughts sectioned off at the back. The store also has a dedicated shoe department featuring all the footwear that is showcased throughout the store including sculptural heels, chunky ankle boots and some that have been designed by a former Acne designer.
Nothing quite compares with the freedom and discovery that you get riding a bicycle! From the moment your Dad let go of your seat when you first learned to ride, it opened up a door to another dimension, you weren't tied down any longer!
As my route transitioned from lazy country road to main highway, traffic also started becoming more prevalent, but that's OK, that's just part of the ride. The shoulder meandered from wide and smooth, to narrow and treacherous, typical for these country highways, cycling isn't real mainstream around here, bike lanes aren't a priority, over time you just learn to deal with what you have. When I'm on my bike, time slows down, I have a chance to look around and take everything in. A road that had gone previously unnoticed catches my eye as I recognized the name from earlier, that route will have to be next time, another adventure waiting to be conquered.
People say I'm nuts for riding my bike as far as I do, and in reality, I don't ride as far as many others do. I don't ride just because, I ride to explore new roads, I ride to explore myself, I ride because I LOVE to ride. I'm sure it sounds corny, but it's the truth, when I'm on my bike, time stands still, everyday problems and stress go away for a few sweet hours, it's just me and the road,wholesale apple imac! So it was this past weekend as I decided to get a long ride in on Saturday morning...
My alarm sounded it's loud beeping at 4:45 am,Cheap ipod touch 4. "Damn" I thought, I'm not ready to wake up, but I knew if I wanted to get a long ride in, early in the morning would be the best opportunity. I rolled out of bed and found my cycling "uniform" my tight shorts,Online stores do offer home delivery., cycling jersey, and clipless bike shoes, all the pieces that usually get laughed at and ridiculed by the people who don't "ride". After getting dressed I topped off my water bottles and placed them securely in their cages,discount alienware, had a quick bowl of "Raisin Bran" and then it was time to ride. I wheeled my 19 lb carbon fiber companion out of the garage at 6 am, and with a firm "click" into my pedals I was free.
In addition to the store’s own brand, the retailer has collaborated with a number of designers, however unlike H&M who have partnered with the likes of Versace and Karl Lagerfeld, the ‘Co-Lab’ collection is with emerging designers such as Clare Vivier from Los Angeles who has designed a 15-piece handbag and purse line and Abigail Lorick from New York who has designed a number of shoes.
There are four different ready-to-wear collections, industrial, poetic and dandy, feminine and glamorous, and tailored and strong, each have been handled by a different design team for instance the poetic that mixes feminine with masculine inspiration was developed by the Parisian team, whereas the raw industrial pieces have come from the Stockholm studio,Italy towards the heavily logo-ed. The idea behind the different collections is to allow customers to mix and match to create their own personal style and to add investment pieces to their current wardrobes.
6 am on a Saturday morning means virtually no traffic, at least in central Illinois:) As I left the city limits the sun was just making it's appearance for the day, creating long shadows on the road in front of me, the cool breeze whipping by my ears. The road felt good, and my trusty bike was running perfectly, no sound but the tires rolling across the pavement and the gentle "whirrr" of the chain as I pedaled. The first 15 miles I encountered maybe 5 cars, it was just me, my bike, and the open road. The river valley was lit up by the early morning sun and there were patches of fog where the bodies of water lied, the world was just waking up. As I continued along the Great River Road, the scene was breathtaking as the bluff line gave way to obscure roadways cutting into the distance to destinations unknown.
Cycling jerseys are specially made with pockets on the back for easy access to food, and supplies. After 25 miles of riding, I decide to partake in a granola bar I brought along. I wait until coming through one of the small towns to eat it though, as the open road requires my undivided attention. Ahhh sweet energy, the light snack replenishes my body and carries me further down the road. The occasional dog barks as he sees me pass, warning me not to trespass on his turf, I heed his warning and continue on,Historically. By this time I'm almost home, down a few more country roads and up a few more hills. To my dismay I find my predetermined route has been freshly graveled, "Crap"!! My high dollar transport doesn't play well with gravel and it's a sketchy 1/2 mile or so dodging large rocks like I was navigating a mine field. The good thing about these country roads is they all seem to connect somewhere, a simple modification to my route and I was back on the beautifully smooth pavement of the highway! After a few more miles I pull into my driveway at 9 am. I thank my bike for carrying me over those 54 miles, for taking that trip with me, for allowing me to escape and enjoy the experience of the open road. My house is just waking up and starting their day, my ride is complete and now the entire day awaits before me.