Cold Hands
After a winter ride in the sunshine at 29F the most memorable part of my ride were cold hands. Induced by the gloveless needs of self-portraiture. Still, for a moment, it was gratifying to face the sunlight, allowing it to kindle hopes that spring and warmer rides aren’t far off. Just as I’m warming to the cold. And working to drive through the mental doldrums of winter.
Clear Roads
No black ice. Pennsylvania so heavily salts their roads that I almost never see it save for driveways, sidewalks and parking lots. Still, a rider best be careful and not allow the sunshine and blue skies to push them into high performance riding. Even a scooter can get you into trouble if you’re careless or inattentive.
Just Riding
The sunshine pushed me out the door. There were no errands or destinations. Just the desire to drink in the feeling of flying. To put the general malaise of winter with its attendant sloth and laziness in the rear view mirror. Riding is the medicine.
Heated Hands
Body was tingling and alive by the time I got to the Pump Station. Moisture returned to eye sockets and the familiar ache of frozen fingers made the hot mug of tea even more luscious. The sunshine, the ride and the moments to relax and drink it all in seemed to wipe away any depressed thoughts of winter.
Bring on the cold. It’s fine weather for riding.
You lucky Dog. It was cloudy both days here in London Ontario…so I stayed in the city and watched golf…dreamed of riding.
Brent
Short lived. Gray again, cold, and snowing.
Glad to see you blogging again. Nice way to start my day.
When I get bogged down mentally it’s the simple things that help break through the muck. Blogging is one of those simple things.
Ride. Rest. Repeat!
A perfect plan.
Yep, riding in the cold is always better in bright sunshine….being a mile closer to the sun helps too! ; D
Oh yeah, that extra mile makes a big difference.
The weather is looking pretty nice and sunny. The salt on the roads, a little less nice.
Salt is everywhere until the spring rains wash it all toward the Chesapeake Bay….
Nice to see the sun…it gives hope of spring for sure! ?
It does offer hope of better days. Here comes the sun…
Just what the doctor ordered Steve! Today where I am in Florida: 30 mph winds and rain = no riding for me.
Wind and rain. No fun to ride in unless it’s really warm.
Today was a work day for me, meaning time for a semi-leisurely shower/shave (old-school in the case of shaving), an early (for me) breakfast, getting my tech kit together, grabbing jacket, helmet and (still non-heated) gloves, hopping on Melody and riding just over six miles to the Long Brach NJ Transit rail station, park the bike, hop the train and ride into Gotham to do IT work for a very old and revered bar and art space in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Once again, I ignored warnings of Yet Another Mini-Nor’Easter coming along this evening; since I somehow finished up in time to catch the 5:05 train outta Penn Station, depositing me back at Long Branch around 6:30, I beat the bad weather by about two hours, although the wind gusts off the ocean were the hardest I’ve ever experienced on the bike – I never felt in danger, but I was certainly taking notice.
But the sun was nice this morning. Going to buy some better (non-heated) gloves right after this “whatever” storm passes.
Feels good to beat the weather when you’re riding. Unfortunately I’ve miscalculated many times and found myself in dicey situations. Glad you didn’t.
Let us know what sort of non-heated gloves you find work. I gave up on them. Even the electric gloves don’t work well in the wind. The Tucano Urbano muffs are the key. Keep the wind blast off the hands.
You captured the feeling of winter riding well. Except for cold hands….I always wear my gloves. Salt and sand washes right off the scooter. Too many ‘riders’ are missing the beauty of riding on a cold, sunny day
I have some really thin gloves I usually pull on when I have to fiddle with the camera. Forget them though so I had to handle the tripod and camera with bare hands. They freeze up pretty quick like that. Bad circulation on my part…
That first picture is the perfect incantation of why we ride on chilly days in the sunshine.
Soak it all in, and it somehow makes life a little easier.
Thank you. For many of us who ride in cold weather, I think there are various incantations we discover that cement our relationship to the world and the road. It may sound cliche but there is magic in riding. I appreciate you raising the issue. Helps makes sense of what others think is just lunacy to be out in this weather.
Happy to see the sun…it gives hope of spring for sure.
No wonder people worship the sun.