Before I get into it, I want to preface what I'm about to say with this. I love all my rides. Each and every one is special. The sunny days, where it's a tail wind every direction? Amazing. The average day, when I go out and spin for a couple hours? Unique. The rainy day, where's it's colder than cold, and rain has slipped into every nook and cranny in my body? Exquisite. And yes, there are some rides, on some days, that stand above and beyond the Turkey Day Ride in terms of beauty, or distance, or the feeling of community. But, in my mind, the Turkey Day Ride is the best ride, because of the combination of these things that come with it.
First off, it's Thanksgiving. People tend to be cheery, and happy, and friendly. Thanksgiving is a day where you gather with people you love, or at least tolerate, to eat, and drink, and make merry. Most people I encounter that day, when confronted by a smiling cyclist in lycra offering a wave, reciprocate the actions. Only, minus the lycra in their case, usually. I mean it. Most days, when I'm out on a ride, I tend to, at the very least, offer a wave to other cyclists and runners. Typically, I get a little wave back. But on Thanksgiving? That wave feels more genuine. More heartfelt. People just seem happier on Thanksgiving. They're more willing and eager to spread the love.
Most people are also off work that day, which means that, in the mornings when I ride, there are fewer cars on the road. This makes for a safer ride for yours truly, and others who want to get in an early morning workout. Now, yeah, some people have to work on Thanksgiving. And if you know somebody who does, man, shake their hand and go buy them a beer. Let's not even get into it about those poor souls who have to work on Black Friday, because they should be nominated for Sainthood. But all in all, getting in a workout on the morning of Thanksgiving tends to be pretty peaceful. It's nice seeing far fewer cars out there during my morning ride.
Third, and this is an important one, the food. Anyone who has worked out, well, ever, knows just how much one can eat after working out. Speaking as a cyclist, I think it's obvious that I love riding my bike. But there's one part that I don't enjoy quite so much, and that's scrounging up something to eat after a ride. Because it either means spending money to buy something to eat, or eating all the leftovers I've got stockpiled for work, or making more food. Spending money to buy food can be dangerous just because, well, I can eat a lot. And let's be honest. After you've worked out, and you're super hungry, I think the last thing any of us want to do is make something to eat.
But on Thanksgiving? Oh man. Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war! A ride on the one day a year where it's basically an all I can eat feeding frenzy? Thanksgiving, my friends, is the day I break out the sweat pants, because I'm gonna eat so much, I'll need the elastic band. People can be conversing at me, while I'm shoving food in my mouth as fast as I can, food crumbs and debris flying around me like I'm a wood chipper. Not to mention the fact that going for a ride, and then meeting up with people to eat food that I didn't cook? That's about as close to pro as many of us will come! Plus, once I'm done eating, I feel like this, which can be a most glorious feeling.
And finally, let's not forget about the other key part of Thanksgiving: gathering with others. As a cyclist, I participate in a lot of social events. Team meetings, group rides, Sunday rides with a coffee break, getting together for drinks, and collectively eating more than most average sized European villages. So going for a ride that's mostly clear of cars, seeing tons of cheerful people along the way, and then meeting up with friends and family to eat as much food as my stomach, and legs, can stand? Sign me up!
And that is why I think the Turkey Day Ride is the best ride.
