One of the nice things about bicycling is it’s ability to put you in somewhat of a Zen-like state. This is particularly true when you’re riding a route you are very, very familiar with. Your body is cranking away, you are breathing deeply, and while you more or less steer the bike automatically, your mind is free to drift and make connections that you are otherwise too stressed to see.
Just this morning, as I rode in to work, I had a moment of clarity. Like a thunderbolt out of the blue, I was suddenly absolutely sure of at least one thing:
I had forgotten to pack a shirt to change into.
Once again, mental clarity comes about 40 minutes too late to do me any good.