A morning bike ride

So most mornings, I go for a run and then to yoga. But some mornings I go for a bike ride instead of the run. Because it is so hot here in general and heats up so quickly once the sun rises, I usually leave around sunrise for these activities (around 5 am). Last Friday, I went on a bike ride with my camera so that I could take a picture of a sign that I had seen on an earlier ride. I left earlier than normal, because the trip was pretty long and the crowded roads and strong, hot sun make the ride unpleasant if I leave too late. . .

The way out of Lucknow is beautiful, with fields and trees and before dawn everything is quiet. On my way, around the earliest part of dawn I came across a striking scene of the moon over the trees. The picture below doesn't do the peacefulness or the beauty of the ride justice, but I thought I'd put it in anyway, to give a hint at what I saw.....

Finally, I arrived at the sign I wanted to take a picture of (see below). It says (in Hindi) Panchayat Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is the state that I live in. A panchayat is political system which groups five ("panch") villages. Each village has appointed tasks and responsibilities, such as cart-making or basket-weaving. The central village, usually the largest of the Panchayat, traditionally handles food storage and meeting-places for officials, as well as their residences. ‘Panchayat’ literally means assembly (yat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the village community. Traditionally, these assemblies settle disputes between individuals and villages. I really am not sure what the picture has to do with this form of political organization of the town in particular, but I thought the picture was quite funny.

The ride out and back is a nice one. I live close to the edge of Lucknow, and early in the morning there are very few people, maybe a truck or two, and no cars. However, the journey was not without its dangers. When I arrived at the wall were the painting was, I squatted on the side of the road to take pictures. As I tried in the dawn's poor light to get a good view, I kept feeling twigs hitting me on the head. Assuming that the wind was knocking these twigs off the tree, I kept photographing and did not look up. Finally, after getting pretty squarely knocked on the head, I looked up. In the tree were quite a few monkeys (including a lot of baby monkeys) throwing twigs at me, laughing, and staring with interest. They were also playing around my bike. I have a sort of love/fear of the monkey (I love the idea of monkeys hanging around but do not like them too close or eating my cookies). I decided to leave while the leaving was good - i.e. while most were still in the tree and not on the bike - and headed back to town. Below is a picture of a monkey scurrying away from my bike (isn't my bike beautiful? I think it was made 80 years ago in China and it weighs almost as much as me, but its a fun way to get around , has a lovely basket, and I feel pretty attached to it....)


On the way back to Lucknow, the roads fill up with men who ride their bikes into work in the city. This line of bicyclists - usually 2-4 people deep, consistently fill the road all the way into the city. I can't help but think it must be a rough ride home on their way back from work, as even after nightfall the temperatures at night are hot (in the mid to high 90s). The fields of many shades of green are colored with the blues, oranges, reds, purples, and yellows of women's saris and the rivers also fill up with dhobi walay (washers) washing clothes (see picture below).