Not the Usual Kind of Day
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2012
by George Stay
Where I live, November doesn't escape without snow. And by Christmas, well, we've gotten used to the white stuff. Normally, I put my bicycle up for the winter sometime in early to mid-November, condemned to toil inside until the warmer days of spring.
Not so, however, this year. I kept riding on through November, missing only a few days to roads slickened by snow and the ice created by too many tires rolling over the white stuff. I rode on into December, thinking that each day would be my last outside until spring. But then Christmas wasn't white, which for some people wasn't right, but I could not complain since it meant a ride outside.
I rose one morning in the week after the holiday, however, to a steady but light rain. I often skip rainy days during the season -- anytime from March through the snows of November -- but a December rain was not about to deter me. I donned three layers of gear, pulled on my helmet, checked in the air in the tires and headed out.
I've been caught out in rain before. Heck, I was pelted by marble-size on one ride. And while I sometimes balk at starting in the rain, I love getting caught out in it. I smile to myself when I realize the people driving by, and anyone looking out of their house, think they are looking at a certified loon. All I am doing is having a lot of fun.
A lot of wet fun.
Well, I felt the same way on this particular morning. The tires sprayed water incessantly onto my feet and up my back. My legs soon were drenched, as were my socks and shoes. And I did not care. I was on the roads in late December. It doesn't get much better than this.
Then a few snowflakes began to mix with the rain. No surprise there. Then, near the midpoint on this 30-mile ride, I began to notice some white spots in yards I passed. Then the shoulders of the paved road begant to turn white. Then places in the road covered by trees. Then parts of the whole road.
One thing about riding a bike. You reach a point in the middle where the only way to get back is to ride back, to cover those miles you've alread ridden. There are no shortcuts, no quicker routes. The only way to get home again is to pedal, or walk. And trust me, pedalling is always faster than walking.
So when large swaths of the road began to turn white, all I could do was ride carefully and pray I did not slip (I've done that once and the road rash and bruises still have not all disappeared).
I slowed down and carefully made my way home, managing to ride into my garage and safety. Then I went down to the basement where I realized the entire front of me was plastered white by snow. I peeled out of three layers of wet gear to see bright patches of red on my now-exposed skin. I guess it was colder out than I had thought.
After a shower and shave, I got dressed and drove more than an hour on slushy, slippery roads to a courtroom, where my niece and her boyfriend got married -- he was shipping out to Afghanistan sooner than they had expected. A small reception followed in what normally was a meeting room, but had been decorated to make it seem, well, more like a wedding reception. Then it was back on roads that, thanks to traffic, had some icy patches that were shocking, to say the least.
But what can I say? Snow is normal in these parts, especially in late December. A bike ride and wedding, in one day, however, is quite unusual, even for a snowman like me.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Having fun like a teenager and luckily in time for the wedding. Creative and very interesting.Yes, Hilda, I was just in time for the wedding. The bride's sister was late, because of the weather. It was quite an unusual weekday. Thanks for the comment.
Hi George I loved the story. Now if it were a tandem you could have given it to the happy couple to experience the joys of cycling...just like you.
Keep well and thanks for sharing.
KacyI just hope they have something to enjoy like cycling. I know what I enjoy is not for everyone, but I do believe everyone has something they love to do like I love to cycle. Thanks for the comment.
Great telling - November and snow? I'm trying to figure out where you live - must be in Wyoming or one of the states on our border between Canada and the US. You're right, it is a bit unusual to have the bike ride that you experienced in the rain followed by snow and then head to the wedding slipping and sliding on ice. Just think of it - the wedding might have been a black tie affair.Actually, I was quite unsure how one is supposed to dress for a wedding at the courthouse. I didn't put on my very best, but I had to clean myself up. Afterall, one does not attend a wedding in rain- and snow-soaked Spandex! Thanks for the comment.
Hi George, it's nice to read something of yours again. Wow, that was a beautiful day. I'm glad you didn't get caught in a snowstorm!Jenner, it was pretty close to a snowstorm as quickly as the rain changed to snow and the snow covered the roads. I was just glad I was able to negotiate those final miles without falling, and without getting hit by some driver. Thanks for your comment. And it is glad to see you back too.
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