For the second time in a month, my son’s second day of his soccer tournament (Unfortunately, his Sunday Championship game day) got cancelled due to weather. While that is terrible news for him, it was great news for me. I made coffee and quickly headed out in the dark, cold, windy and rainy morning.  As I write about the weather, it could easily be seen as bad weather for a ride. However, it was not. It was simply beautiful out. I don’t mind being cold. I don’t mind being wet. I don’t like cold AND wet. Thankfully, the temps were hovering around 60 degrees and I was dressed appropriately. It was simply perfect.  I rode pretty much the route of my last Fargo Adventure ride. I had the roads and paths to myself. I only saw a few cars in the almost 4 hours I was out. This ride had it all. Rain. Wind. Sun. more rain. More wind.

I spent most of the ride reflecting about being a father. Thinking of many of my friends that are fathers. Thinking about the old days where it was accepted that fathers were not really a fatherly figure. My have times changed. I am so blessed to be surrounded by many good fathers and good husbands. Having others to serve as mentors, roll models and examples has made me a better father.   Thank you to all my friends reading this that have helped me.

I also spent the day thinking about how things are going in my life. It’s been a crazy roller coaster for me the past two years. It’s been both a joy and a huge challenge. I miss my time in the country and I am also thankful that things worked out so that I could have exactly this on this Father’s Day. I feel like this was a chose path and gift today.

I hope all you fathers out there got to spend the day the way that was laid out for you. I hope you had a chance to find joy in the memories of the past year and had a little time to think about the coming months and year ahead.

And with that….let me play out my day in images. It was quite a day as you can see.   

Then just like that, the sky’s cleared up. The arm warmers came off. The wind picked up and changed direction. My last 10 miles or so had a tailwind that made me feel like a tour champion! What a day.