As I get older, I am noticing more and more people have what I call a Simpsons deficiency. About twenty years ago, everyone would have gotten what the title of this post was a reference to. But now, things have changed, too many people are Simpsons deficient. And if you’re thinking, that awful show that’s been going for about a hundred years? You don’t understand! The first eight seasons were flawless!
Anyway, to explain the joke, which I shouldn’t have to everyone should watch the first eight seasons of the Simpsons, Nelson Muntz, the character who laughs at everyone, laughs at an extremely tall man who is driving an extremely small car, and Nelson believes that the man looks extremely funny because of how hunched up he is in his tiny car. And it was similar for me when I cycled to Maunbaun Wood. I’m a tall person, but the saddle was extremely low. I don’t know how I managed that cycle to be honest.
My bike saddle had broken three times in the space of a few days, and all this happened while I was itching to go for a cycle to Maunbaun wood. It even happened when I was on the way, so yes, this cycle I’m talking about was my second attempt to get to Maunbaun wood. Or possibly my third attempt, I seem to recall at some point trying to go there and getting lost. Anyway, I had to turn back, standing on the pedals the whole time. When I got the bike back from the repair shop after the third repair, the saddle hadn’t been readjusted, and it was extremely low. But my cycling starved brain was so desperate to get back on the road that I didn’t even bother readjusting it, I just got on the bike and started cycling to Maunbaun wood. And you better believe my appearance was comical the whole time!
Maunbaun Wood is near Watergrasshill. Here’s a good way to understand what Watergrasshill means to a cyclist. Look at the name of the town. Now remove the word water. Now remove the word grass. Now you understand. This wasn’t my first or last time dancing with this evil town (from a cyclist’s point of view, I stress from a cyclist’s point of view!) and I’ve written about my hardest cycle involving Watergrasshill here:
But, strangely enough, I don’t remember the hills being too tough on this one. Though it could be that they were and I just don’t remember. So many cycles, so many memories to store in my brain.
So, despite looking like a big silly goose on my bike, I reached Maunbaun wood. And quite a nice wood it is!
My bike has photobombed the picture, as it has done many times. I’m noticing how shiny and clean it looks, it does not look like that anymore!
The other side of the road is forested aswell!
This cycle took place on May 4th, 2016. It was the kind of Summer day you get in Ireland where it’s just kind of okay, and you kind of say, “Okay, grand, the weather’s making the effort I suppose.” I had been cycling for two years at this point, and had recently acquired the bike I was riding, which is the one I have used since. Multiple problems with the previous bike meant I decided to get the one I currently have, but as I learned more about bikes, I realized the question of should you get a new bike is actually not as simple as it might seem. Multiple problems with the same bike could often times all be solved in an instant by swapping out one part. My current bike has often given me months of problems, but then, all of a sudden, the problems will just stop for months, if not years. The current bike is coming up on eight years old. It has put me through hell, but has also given me some of my most precious memories. It is a strange relationship we have.
Grey Skies Over the Trees
Yes, Do What The Sign Says. Stop Leaving Cans In Areas Like This!
A Road Of Trees
The Endless Path
I love these kinds of forests, where there is just a path, through the trees, that seems to go on forever. I can often feel myself going into a deep feeling of relaxation as being around the trees just takes all of my worries away. Sometimes it is simply being far away from your worries, if there’s a source of stress in your house, or where you’re working, or where you’re going to college, well, that’s not there now. All that’s there is trees!
Less Trees But More Sky
I Love That Patch Of Bright Green In the Distance
So Much Green!
What Doctor Who Episode Is This?
And then, all of a sudden, Maunbaun Wood becomes an excellent spot to shoot a Doctor Who Episode, or a Star Trek Episode, or an old Soviet Sci Fi film. I can see the Master cackling menacingly, because he has just formed an alliance with the Daleks, but the Daleks will inevitably betray him, and they’re not subtle about it, because they’re Daleks. And then the Doctor defeats the Master and the Daleks, without using any violence. God I love Dr Who!
A post apocalyptic wasteland, or another planet, or a time millions of years ago. Use your imagination!
And Now Back to the Greenness!
And now all that was left was to cycle home, on my bike which was in no way properly adjusted for my height. It’s one of many things over the years that frankly I don’t know how I coped with. Whether it be a bike with a low saddle, cycling in extremely hot weather, bitterly cold weather or rain that just goes for two or three hours straight. At the time, I just dealt with it, and I don’t remember these things badly, in fact I can laugh at them often times, but for some reason, the very thought of any of these things happening again gives me the thought, “How could I possibly put up with that if it happens again?” But I was thirty when I did this cycle to Maunbaun wood. And now I’m thirty eight. I think my ability to cope with things going wrong is just decreasing as I get older. I hope that doesn’t mean fewer awesome adventures for me, but only time will tell.
So I cycled home, and, cycling away from Watergrasshill is mighty nice, because it’s all downhill, YAAAAY!!!! So I got home, and you had better believe I wasn’t long properly adjusting the saddle!
Ponderings Of An Autist 