That's one fast-moving seat

Temporarily at rest
North of London, ON
August 2016
This photo supports this week's Thematic theme, please be seated. Head here to share yours.

Years ago, biking to me was a means of getting as quickly as possible to a given destination using nothing more than your own horsepower to get there. I never bothered to take the time to enjoy the scenery along the way. As long as the data streaming off of my cycling computer looked good, I was happy.

These days, my priorities are a little different. I still ride with a cycling computer - now GPS-based - but I try to not be so beholden to the numbers. I look around a lot more while I'm riding, and if I like what I see, I won't hesitate to pull over and take it in a little more profoundly.

My numbers may not be as impressive as they once were, and I may get home a few minutes later than would otherwise be the case. But it's a tradeoff I'm only too happy to make. Because an average speed data point isn't nearly as resonant to the soul as the sight of a giant tree hanging over the side of the road. Or the smell of fresh cut grass in front of that Rockwell-esque farmhouse with the horses out back.

Not everything is a race. And places and moments like this deserve to be savored.

Your turn: What makes you stop and smell the proverbial roses?