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12-31-07, 09:37 PM
It's not the usual long bike ride that's discussed here but tonight's ride is special to me. My job is three miles from my home so most days I commute by bike. Even today, despite the threat of snow this afternoon. Frankly I didn't give the forecast much credence since it seems to be accurate only about 50% of the time.
Nonetheless the weatherman was right on the money today. It started snowing small, wet flakes this afternoon and by the time I left at 4:30 there was already an inch or so on the ground. No worries, though. In addition to gloves, jacket and goretex shoes I also had rain pants. I was warm as toast. The only downside was the the small flakes pelting my face and eyes since I forgot to wear some clear glasses.
Frankly, I enjoy riding in the snow. Even at night it's bright because the snow is so reflective. And it's quiet, too. I guess the snow absorbs the sound or masks the noise of tires on pavement. I was enjoying the ride home and was about halfway there and close to a local pizza place I'm fond of when it happened. Maybe it's because I was thinking of grabbing some pizza that caused me to slip on an icy patch. I fell to my left (good, not the derailleurs!) and hit the pavement. The ground was harder than I expected but I wasn't hurt and there was no traffic so all was good. I hopped back on the bike and pedaled the rest of the way home, being extra careful not to slip and fall again. I sometimes worry I might fall just as a car approaches and....well, best not to go there.
A few minutes later I was safe at home and was looking forward to a quiet New Year's Eve. What's this? Where are my keys? Damn, they were in the left pocket of my jacket and must have fallen out. Sigh. It's a good thing I enjoy biking in the snow. There was nothing left to do but turn around and bike back and hope I could find my keys. I thought I had a pretty good chance since there wasn't much traffic on the street so I was optimistic.
A few minutes later I was back on the same block. I couldn't remember exactly where I fell, though, so I slowly scanned the road for the keys. After a block I felt I had gone far enough so I doubled back. Again I rode slowly, constantly looking back and forth. I thought I still had a pretty good chance to find the keys since the road was smooth. Surely they would stand out. In the dark and the slush, though, it seemed pretty unlikely I'd get lucky. I was beginning to get pretty discouraged. What were the odds I'd find my keys, at night, when I wasn't even sure where they were? Just then I saw what appeared to be a rock in the median. I approached it hopefully and yes! I saw the slight glint of my keys. Hooray! I couldn't believe it, there they were. I can't remember the last time I've felt so happy. I figured this was a sign that I should have pizza so I happily pedaled the next half block and picked up a pizza. This might be my best New Year's Eve ever. :-)
Happy 2008, everyone! Here's to adventures big and small that wait for us.
Nonetheless the weatherman was right on the money today. It started snowing small, wet flakes this afternoon and by the time I left at 4:30 there was already an inch or so on the ground. No worries, though. In addition to gloves, jacket and goretex shoes I also had rain pants. I was warm as toast. The only downside was the the small flakes pelting my face and eyes since I forgot to wear some clear glasses.
Frankly, I enjoy riding in the snow. Even at night it's bright because the snow is so reflective. And it's quiet, too. I guess the snow absorbs the sound or masks the noise of tires on pavement. I was enjoying the ride home and was about halfway there and close to a local pizza place I'm fond of when it happened. Maybe it's because I was thinking of grabbing some pizza that caused me to slip on an icy patch. I fell to my left (good, not the derailleurs!) and hit the pavement. The ground was harder than I expected but I wasn't hurt and there was no traffic so all was good. I hopped back on the bike and pedaled the rest of the way home, being extra careful not to slip and fall again. I sometimes worry I might fall just as a car approaches and....well, best not to go there.
A few minutes later I was safe at home and was looking forward to a quiet New Year's Eve. What's this? Where are my keys? Damn, they were in the left pocket of my jacket and must have fallen out. Sigh. It's a good thing I enjoy biking in the snow. There was nothing left to do but turn around and bike back and hope I could find my keys. I thought I had a pretty good chance since there wasn't much traffic on the street so I was optimistic.
A few minutes later I was back on the same block. I couldn't remember exactly where I fell, though, so I slowly scanned the road for the keys. After a block I felt I had gone far enough so I doubled back. Again I rode slowly, constantly looking back and forth. I thought I still had a pretty good chance to find the keys since the road was smooth. Surely they would stand out. In the dark and the slush, though, it seemed pretty unlikely I'd get lucky. I was beginning to get pretty discouraged. What were the odds I'd find my keys, at night, when I wasn't even sure where they were? Just then I saw what appeared to be a rock in the median. I approached it hopefully and yes! I saw the slight glint of my keys. Hooray! I couldn't believe it, there they were. I can't remember the last time I've felt so happy. I figured this was a sign that I should have pizza so I happily pedaled the next half block and picked up a pizza. This might be my best New Year's Eve ever. :-)
Happy 2008, everyone! Here's to adventures big and small that wait for us.