I pushed down hard with my right foot and heard a snap. My foot rotated about 10 degrees. I know it was loud because something scurried in the brush next to the stream in my yard. I pushed off with the left and immediately felt for the pedal. It was right where it was supposed to be. No. It doesn’t always happen, but this time it worked perfectly. Don’t tell anyone. I push forward and down at the pedal and the left greets me with the same snap. I’m locked in and committed. My bicycle ride is underway.

It’s hot. 75 degrees at 6:00 am and it’s going to hit 90. It feels like 85% humidity. I’m traveling at 23 mph as I move through my neighborhood and the air is thick. At speed it feels like pea soup.

My lungs work hard as I climb my 1st hill. I wonder if everything is ok, or if I have a problem. I’m not breathing like normal. Do my lungs feel heavy? Am I feeling more winded than normal? Did I pack my nitroglycerin just in case? I’m a heart patient. I question everything. I even question when I’ll stop asking myself these questions. This is cycling for heart health.

One mile later and my body is in sync and adjusted to exertion. It’s easier now as the world whizzes by. An elderly man is walking his dog. He smiles and waves at me. I holler good morning. A mile later I pass an elderly man walking his dog. He smiles and waves at me. I holler good morning. Was that a glitch in the matrix? I laugh at my own joke. I wish someone was here to appreciate my humor.

The road rises and falls as it twists and turns. It’s getting hotter and it’s so humid sweating does little good to cool my body. Joggers are drenched in sweat. The last guy looked like he was dipped in baby oil. I like the ones running toward me. We can exchange greetings that way. The last woman had earbuds hard wired to her phone. I think to myself that it’s odd because everything is wireless these days. Funny.

Stopping brings a burning sensation to my back. The sun is trying to cook me. There’s no breeze, just the oppressive heat as the sun gets higher. I pass an older woman walking. She smiles and waves. I offer a “Good morning”, but I’m moving fast so I wonder if she heard me.

I catch up with a couple of cyclists and shout, “On your left” as I overtake them. “Beautiful morning” they holler back.

Beautiful morning. Yes.

A few miles later I’m overtaken by a woman on a beautiful Cervelo. “Morning,” she hollers. That thing is sweet, and she knows what she’s doing. She’s moving fast and smooth. Of course, I could pass her if I wasn’t a heart patient. I’m also probably a lot older. And it’s hot. Desert hot. And the sun is in my eyes. There was an earthquake, locusts, a Terrible Flood. It wasn’t my fault! I laugh at the excuses John Belushi threw out in the Blues Brothers. I’m noticing I make myself laugh a lot.

Laughing is good.

I work hard chasing Ms. Cervelo, and feel bad when we break off in different directions. I pass many other cyclists heading the other way. Some are tourers, some are racers, some are just cruising. Everyone greets me with a wave and a smile.

As I near home I pass a couple walking. They wave and offer “Good morning”. I think to myself isn’t it interesting? No one asked my political affiliation. No one asked my religion or my shoe size. Everyone smiled and offered pleasantries and warm greetings. Somehow none of the things that divide people on the internet and in person mattered. We all shared a common goal of bettering ourselves. We were dedicated enough to do this in the heat and humidity – be it walking, jogging, or bicycling. Somehow, we saw each other as part of a group, inclusive enough to appreciate one another without reservation. Courteous and cheerful.

A neighbor hollers “Good morning!” as I pass on my way into my development. I park my bike and check my data logger. I’m not winded. I’m not having difficulty breathing. There’s no chest pain. My heart is happy. I think to myself, “Good morning.”

Good morning indeed.