Post vacation depression is perhaps the most frustrating side effect of an excellent adventure. It’s ridiculous and no one feels bad for me, including myself. It’s an unwelcome result of too much fun and seems to happen every time I finish an event, race or trip that I’ve been looking forward to. Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy to be home, I’m just in withdrawal.
Time and weather are such commodities, and for almost two weeks I had plenty of time to ride and ample good weather. Now, I’m back in rainy Portland, it’s cold, and I haven’t been on my bike since leaving Moab. That said, and in an effort to stay positive, my last ride in Moab was spectacular, and I’m excited to see if any of the confidence I gained there will translate to riding trails around Portland. I hope so. In riding technical sections in Moab, I know I was clearing things that I would be walking in Oregon. I felt like I was eased into trying things there; the trail started out mellow, though always rocky, and gradually I found myself riding bigger and bigger features. I rented a bike with more travel and did a good job letting the bike do its thing and maintaining speed. It’s all such a head game; I’ll never understand why I walk some things but ride others. It’s not consistent or predictable, and confidence ebbs and flows. Now, as I settle back into regular life, I’m anxious to get back on my bike and to start planning what comes next.
Post vacation funk aside, I am thankful for friends, adventure, health, beautiful places and fun trails.
