Mountain bike ride yesterday, on mostly pavement.

As X and I get the baby thing down we're finding more time for our own activities. 

(Coffee helps).

Roller derby for her and bike riding for me. 

The time we do get is short but appreciated. Free time takes on a whole new meaning after baby comes, its like winning the lottery. This is more so for me than for X. She gets the lions share of the 'me' time. After her annoying pregnancy filled with bed rest and hospital visits I gladly told her I'd pick up some slack if she wanted to give derby another go. 

So I'm getting my dad on, big time. It's awesome. 

During my new 'compact' rides Ive found myself thinking about the past, my single days. I could ride whenever I wanted. Then I think about the married but pre baby days. I could still ride a whole hell of a lot. Then I find myself thinking about my current situation... Married with baby, riding time a fraction of what it was, finding time for that fraction more difficult than ever... and I couldn't be happier. 

Then I get back to thinking about nothing but the simple pleasure of pedaling a bicycle. 

(Then I start breathing very hard because I'm terribly out of shape). 

Life is good. 

I'm sure marriage and fatherhood are going to throw me for about 1,000 more loops and I'll go from thinking I've got it all figured out to realizing I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but I'm ready for that. And after the 'I want to pull my hair out' spell passes, and I remember how lucky I am, I'll get back to my life complete with finding any time possible to pedal. 

Ride on!

(By the way, the good folks at Volker Bicycles did some fine tuning on my mtb. Single chain ring up front and switched from grip to trigger shifter. Me likey.)