I had a blast last night. But it started out with me waivering when a co-worker offered me a ride home. It would have meant the bike stayed at work, and I don't feel all that comfortable with my transportation 23 miles away from me. So I turned her down.
I knew the weather reports had said snow after 4AM, so I wasn't really worried, and the temps were in the 30s, again not really worried.
I got out and the snow was great big flakes. In the first 5 miles it wasn't sticking. But as I continued it snowed harder and the wind blew harder, making it difficult to see, as the snow fogged my glasses, my gloves smeared the lenses cleaning them off, and the snow got deeper.
At ten miles I stopped, it's halfway. I hadn't planned on it being snowy or this wet, my feet were soaked, as my boots were at home. No extra shirt but I did have my wool sweater, so I pulled it on and put the windshirt back on, relief. A dry hat and gloves happened to be in the panniers, along with a Power Bar and a dry neck warmer to wipe off the glasses. Power Bar eaten, I was set to trudge on. Usually I can see the lights of Minneapolis in the distance, there were no lights last night, just snow, and snow and more snow. And from the tracks in the snow I wasn't alone out there. I couldn't tell if the rider was in front of me or going the opposite way.
By the time I was five miles from home the snow was close to 2 inches deep, and starting to be slippery on the hills. My feet were really cold, so at my three mile mark I got off and walked, that helps my feet regain feeling, and then it was back on the bike and home.
As I topped the last hill and the light was green at the bottom, I smiled and patted myself on the back, I had made it home. It was a real thrill. Made really good time as well 1 hour 48 min and 03 seconds. About my usually time. I just wish there was a fireplace and someone with hot cocoa and the electric blanket had been left on. Some things we just have to do for our selves.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Decisions like that one are what make a LIFE,
not merely a boring-ass existence.
Hats off there! (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a similar story to tell..
Yesterday in chicago the conditions were MISERABLE!!
lots of rain, wind, yada yada yada...well, it is only 6 miles or so home from campus, and my girlfriend had offered to pick me up, and I had a couple bus passes on me, but I started singing "Macho Man" to myself (I know, I know..), so I decided to make the trip home by bike anyway...
Since I lost my car (in a hit and run, that is), I promised myself to ride as much as possible, even in tough weather.
It's been several weeks since I've been bus/car free, and Im loving it!
The only problem I had was the HUGE puddles and cars splashing me. but hey, no worries..
randy
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I, too, have a similar story, although it happened during a solo tour, not a commute. Raining like hell, wind blowing hard into my face. I stopped at a store and a lady asked me how far I had to go that day. I named the town, which was about 85 miles away. It was cold for an August Iowa day, only about 50 degrees and not much but between here and there but corn fields and, exactly every twenty miiles, a water tower in the county seat. "I'm going that way, only about ten miles from your destination. Why not throw your bike in the van and I'll take you?" she offered. I thought about it but not for long. "No thanks," I politely refused. She looked at me with a bit of incredulity, then asked if I was sure. I couldn't accept the help and I knew I couldn't explain it. You either get it or you don't. And I confess I was miserable for another seven hours until the wind died and the sun came out toward the end of the day. I often wonder about that switch in my brain and why it's flipped into that almost ruthlessly independent mode. But I know me-- I'd regret it to this day if I had accepted the ride.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Great stories, you guys are touching the heart of it.
Sometimes I'm a little miserable when I think about the trip home when I don't feel like riding. I never regret doing it when I set off and I know that's part of the reward.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
No one offered to give me a ride home this evening, but almost wished someone would have as I was fighting in the small chain ring and lowest cog against the 38MPH head winds!
I am happy I had to ride. I feel so much better for having done so.
