The First 500 miles

I stopped on the way up the steep climb

to take this photo,

Five hundred miles of sunshine and sorrow,

of exertion followed by the fastest descents,

the wind rushing by so fast as to bring tears

to my eyes.

I've seen forest and plain, been alone and

in the company of many, wheel to wheel,

leading until breathless, then falling back.

Five hundred miles, so many more to go.