I am a student, cyclist and photographer aspiring to my dreams and living life to the fullest.
My greatest passion, my way to blow off steam, my way to find peace, my way to bring my breathe into a calmer state, is through cycling. I simply love the act of riding a bicycle and I have been doing so for years. I currently race and I am also a bicycle guide for Destination Cycling.I wake from a deep and refreshing slumber. It is early, but I can't place the time. If I had to guess I would say 7:30 because I can hear the sounds of my little brother, Bodhi, from down the hall. He too has risen and greeted the day, ready for the adventures that wait. I gently pull the covers off so as to not disturb Erin who is still sound asleep. I put my feet onto the chilly wood floor and reach down and grab my warm flannel pajamas and t-shirt. I dress and quietly walk out of our room and down the stairs.
Greeting Pops in the kitchen, I walk over the living room and look out the window. The ground is covered in snow and the light reflects brilliantly illuminating the day. Smiling to myself I turn and walk back to the kitchen. I pour myself a mug of hot coffee, glad that we have Atomic's very own blend, at the Bear Lodge house in New Hampshire. With some cream and sugar added, I hold a cup of perfection. Once more I walk back to the living room and settle on the couch.
The day continues and after breakfast I bundle up, ready to step out into the cold. The air is crisp, but I am warm. My toes wrapped in fuzzy socks, my hands protected by gloves and head retaining the heat I emit with a warm hat.
I help Pops shovel a path to the side porch so we can load up the racks on the porch with wood that is stored the shed. Life is simple and everything serves a purpose. We burn wood for warmth. I am not sure why, but I feel closer to the land, it seems this is how life should be. We are recessed from the hustle and bustle of life in a small town and it feels right. On the side of a hill our house is tucked away and the mountains, snowcapped, loom around us. Of course we have the amenities everyone else in this day in age has, but somehow up in the White Mountains life has a sense of simplicity and peacefulness.
After lunch and a drive through downtown North Conway, Erin and I took Gorda, the pup, for a walk through the snow. We donned snowshoes and headed up the hills, Gorda in tow. The air is clean and it feels good to fill my lungs and stretch the legs. No words are needed to convey feelings, we just smile and laugh together. It feels dreamlike, but I know this is real and what we share is indescribable, but we merge seamlessly into each other’s lives. Gorda feels it too and she is invigorated with life despite being long in the tooth.
The sun continues its trek across the sky. Time carries less meaning here, there is no need to rush anywhere. I feel present and just enjoying to be, be who I am and appreciate what is around me. Until the sun hides and the moon begins to shine, then it is time to settle down.
Flatbread calls, as does my stomach. Another day has passed and tomorrow comes another. It feels right to be here because life is good, sweet and full of meaning. You just need to open your eyes and see it. No matter where you are it is always there, allow the awareness to open and to accept things for the way they are and smile at the beauty.
〜Peace
Welcome everyone to my blog which is linked to my website (nickgilroy.com), how cool! Everything can be done on the go as well using my iPhone! I have no excuses to keep this going and updated all the time!
So to fill you all in because you are dying to know what's going on in my life since you are reading this post. I am going on another bike trip (we'll call it trip 2.0). I'm riding from Portland, Maine to Pebble Beach, California!
Wow! Right? Over 3,000 miles on the bike in one month. What a dream come true! The best part, I'm trying to get Erin to meet me at the end. Hang out, decompress from all that riding and spend some time with my beloved to the coast of Cali! Mmm sounds perfect.
Thats all for now, off to class