the right thing to do

 I haven't ridden much on a couple of months other than a few miles around the over-55 community in which I live. Some of that was due to conflicts and being busy, some due to illness (I had a cold that persisted over 2 weeks; gone are the days when I could have a cold for two or three days and then get back to feeling normal [I tested; I was negative for COVID]). A lot of it was depression over the way the election was going, and then the way it turned out. I just haven't felt like doing much.

But it became clear that I had to get out and do something rather than just sit in my misery. From previous episodes of this type, I know that one of the things that may work is going ahead and doing the things that I would be doing if I had the energy and desire, because sometimes the energy and desire comes back as I do things. So I posted a club ride -- admittedly late (Friday, for a Sunday ride), but posted, nonetheless.

It was a while before I got any takers. Then they started to drift in: one, then two more; eventually I had six, plus me.

I chose a short, not-too-hilly route to a favorite stop, the Italian bakery in Raritan. I've got a couple of routes that go there: the one I'll link below, and one a few miles longer that goes through Neshanic... but I really didn't feel up to the Neshanic route today (there's a hill that another rider complains about, and I don't like some of the roads), so we did the other.

Even with a group of only seven, I had one or two riding off the front, one at the back who was saving energy for another day, one who I had expected to be stronger, but who showed signs of flagging. Our average speeds probably ranged from 14-16mph. When we first started, I wasn't sure I was going to make he distance... but by the end, I know I could have gone farther or faster (I make a point of keeping an eye on the people in the back).

Our stop was at that bakery:

I can sometimes use  a ride to dispel the gloom. That wasn't the case today; I'm still subdued and not eager to engage with people. But getting out and leading this ride was the right thing to do. On to finding the next right thing.

Ride page.