I wanted to ride. I wanted espresso. I needed to finally deal with the "outer burbs" a.k.a. the "real world" and to put the two together into a cohesive whole.
I picked the route by the old high school with the wide boulevard and light traffic. I knew once I made that final right and descended into the business parks and village that things would change and rapidly.
I mentally rehearsed starting off the line and picturing myself with cars all around. Was I ready? Not really. Did I need a shot of espresso, my Peet's fix? Most definitely. + I knew it would be fun to show up at one of my favorite cafes as transformation of Ducatisti.
As soon as I was headed for the village I was dealing with lane changers, more abrupt stops - due to traffic backing up and smooth rolls on the throttle. I combined them all together. I could feel the adrenaline rush and minute by minute rewards of the skills I had been building up.
By the time I was in the village and turning right into the parking lot (a sharp right and high angle), I was on another planet. As I entered the parking lot a sigh of relief washed over me. Still scanning and on alert I pulled into a small compact space next to Peet's. I'd done it. WOW.
I slid a piece of aluminum between my kick-stand and the hot paved tar parking lot.
Slipping into the interior of the cool air-conditioned cafe, I rattled off my order about a half-caf double espresso. I was "half there" as I went over the ride in my mind, going through the motions of ordering and receiving my drink order as if I was floating in space. I had reached the oasis, safely and I was so proud.
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