Exhilaration

Hey to the reader,

Exhilaration-Dictionary Definition: The state of being stimulated, refreshed, or elated.
Well, what do dictionarys know? I experienced the real feeling of exhilaration today; I went out cycling. After getting onto the main open pathway, I went along, taking the swerves as they came and riding out the small bumps. Soon I reached the large slope on the trip. It's one of those slopes, where you cannot see the top, but it looks not very challenging all the same. Then you actually start riding up it.

The overwhelming feeling hits my legs; fatigue. I quickly change a gear or two. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. The pedalling isn't as tough, but now my limbs just can't keep up the same motion. As the sun beats down on me, I wonder whether I can make it. Following the fence that's ahead of me, the path turns slowly into a straight. I make it. Tired legs just about carry on.

At the top of the hill on my cycle route there's a ruin of an old hall, which is a nice place to stop and rest by. I like to take off my helmet there and feel the cool wind in my hair. I check my watch and see it's time to head back. Filled with a new energy, I power along the curvey straight, bouncing over some speed bumps. Then I see my old foe, the slope. A familiar beat begins to pump through my headphones. The Who-Baba O'Riley. I set my feet to two o'clock and start down the slope. Then comes the ultimate reversal.

All the time I spent going up the hill, feet fixed to the pedals. I had forgotten what waited for me. The ride back down. Through the frustration, I forgot why I went up the hill in the first place; the exhilaration that waits.
As I roll down the slope, I feel myself gain momentum. A thumping rhythm only spurs me on more. Wind billows through the random holes in my helmet's structure, I hear the faint sound of the two wheels beneath me spinning continuously. There is nothing to compare it to, I feel like I'm the fastest thing on earth as the surrounding countryside swirls in a blur around me. The vibrations from frequent bumps rattle through me, but I hardly notice. Pure adrenaline flowing halts almost all other thoughts and feelings. Apart from those of pure fun.

Arguably, many other things could give you such a feeling. But working for it makes it all the sweeter. A few weeks ago a friend exclaimed to me 'How can you go cycling in this weather?' Well, with exhilaration along for the ride, it doesn't really feel like cycling. It feels more like flying.

I never really liked dictionarys, much better to find out the meaning yourself.

Exhilarate yourselves,
Yours,
JoeMI6