It's been weeks (possibly months) since I took my bike out and today I was finally well enough, in the country and presented with decent weather and a willing riding partner.

We rode out to Ceres via Du Toit's Kloof and returned via Bain's Kloof. Nothing floods my system with adrenaline more effectively than Bain's Kloof. I think it's the combination of an uneven surface (the road seems designed explicitly to tackle the overpopulation process), the fact that you have to take it slowly (which means you're in a low gear and your throttle is more sensitive which, coupled with the previous issue makes for a challenging ride) or the fact that a significant portion of the ride is spent looking over sheer edges with nothing more than the occasional thoughtfully placed rock protecting you from a spectacular (but ultimately terminal) sudden change in potential energy.

Generally just a great ride.

The nice thing about a ride like this is that you are forced to focus on one thing: not dying (or some variation thereof).

I read an article recently which proffered an interesting technique for suppressing the urge to relieve yourself: think of sex. Apparently this is sufficiently distracting to buy you some time.

I buy that theory because riding is like that for me: while I'm on the bike anything that's been on my mind, or troubling me, or just generally consuming mental cycles disappears. It's just me and the road (and my riding partner, when I remember).