Rosarito Bike Ride

Pedal people pedal

Rubber hits the road

Starting line, metal to metal, 50 miles ahead
50,000 helmets jostling through sleepy seaside pueblos

roadside stand, beer tent, tortillas stacked high

ocean view, cabana abandonada, shacks teetering cliffward

surf breaks blazing blue and white below

palapa children clap for candy thrown into the street

road turns away from the ocean now heading inland to the heat

blazing sun, burning bike seat, uphill slog

these gloves sure are getting hot

girls in flip flops, men in big hats, babies on the bars,
people fat and thin in sweatshirts boiling in afternoon sun

pedal people pedal only a few hills to go

200 feet, 100 feet, dos Pacificos por favor

SAG wagon, traffic convoy, policia al frente

coated in sunblock and exhaust fumes

showstopper cramps and shady spots

pedal people pedal only 50 clicks to go

long downhill, screaming fun, don’t stop now

passing traffic, threading cars, policia, orange cones

pedal people pedal there’s Ensenada now

finish line party animals grandstand theme

medals for the people who pedaled all the way here

Arrivals and departures

Jetsetter, whirlwind tour, weekend warrior
room service, late night café, tramway,
toiletry kit, packing cubes, express checkout,
elevator, escalator, shuttle, to-go cup, airport taxi

passing windows reflect shadows
strangers’ faces, smiles and dark circles
bleary-eyed smiles and city lights

luggage cart and boarding pass
security check, overhead compartments
dozing in an airplane window
landing gear keening beneath

hometown mountains rise
above a thick blanket of low clouds
morning sun crisp and bold

plane slips through the mist
down to the glassy sea
over this pale city still yawning
tires touch down on the runway

jostle us gently, blinking into baggage claim
plane-thunder rolls through the grey sky
sounds of whirlpools and rolling suitcase wheels

passenger loading on the causeway
tripping over heavy feet into the car
parking stubs and driveway gates
metered onramp, turn signals merge

tollbooths, freeway speeds, lane changes
familiar road signs guide us
finally glad to be home.

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