Charge of the Heavy Brigade

It rained a lot yesterday and the day before. The drill was the same both days. Pack an extra pair of slacks in a plastic bag, get on the Sturdy Schwinn, and pick my way to work via the too dim light on the wet leaves and standing pools of water.

Today should be different, and I discussed a morning ride with a friend from work: "Nothing special, just the regular loop."

It rained overnight too, and the passage of the front brought strong northwest winds. I looked outside after I woke up. Wet roads, leaves, low overcast, and the sound of the wind ripping through the now bare branches of the big maple. I shivered. I called my friend. "Well, if it's still wet out, I'll ride my commute bike," he said. Sounds good to me, and we make plans to head for coffee instead of the regular loop. It's still going to be around 15 miles, but it will take a lot longer, and involve some multi use paths.

I'm still messing with the recumbent in the garage when he arrives. "Umm, how's the red bike?" he asks, then points to his rear tire where the tube is starting to bulge through the sidewall. The Red Bike is a 71 Schwinn Racer. Technically it's his but it lives in my garage until he can find a way to sneak it into his. "It's ridable." I answer. I'm glad, 'cause now I'll get to ride the '64 Schwinn - the Yellow Bike. This is my foul weather friend, with a 4 speed hub gear, zefal fenders, and a coaster brake. A very good bike in its own way. A Very Good Bike.

So what had started out as a fast circuit on two recumbents evolved into two 40-something guys heading for coffee. It could have been 1986 or even 1966 with a little imagination. The first leg was into the wind (this is the proper way to start such a ride while using an Extremely Upright Position, by the way), and at times we were bent over the handlebars trying to cheat-just a little bit- the wind.

The coffee was good enough. 2 bucks and a half got two coffees and a scone, and a conversation with another cyclist who happenned to be there. "I didn't think anyone rode those anymore" he quipped, motioning out the window with his thumb. I grinned. Sometimes I don't think so either.

The ride back was unremarkable. Sunny, somewhat warmer, and of course downwind. Punctuated by two or three cyclists on road bikes (including one who posts here) who gave the obligatory double take.

At home, I realize this was the perfect bike for the ride today. It was hard enough to have done me some good, but it was no empty loop on overcast back roads. It was the right bike, the right ride, the right day. It's good when things line up like that.