Black Snow
The gray days of winter drag on, and black snow lines city streets. A melancholy seeps into my pores, born of missing long, leisurely rides.
Over the years, I’ve come to rely on riding as a stress reliever, my main mode of exercise, and creative thinking time. Without it, I struggle. I miss the camaraderie that riding brings and I have a physical craving to ride.
I admire those who commute all winter or go on pre-dawn frigid rides. I know they’re happier, more satisfied, than I am right now. It’s not the temperature that keeps me from riding outside; it’s the unwelcome combination of slush, icy pavement, and moving traffic. It’s my own fears that keep me from heading out.
I continue to ride inside, but it’s not what my soul needs to keep me grounded. These are not “rides”…it’s exercise, pure and simple. I yearn for longer days and dry streets. With envy, I view photos of rides happening in warmer temperatures, on sweeping roads with friends.
How I yearn for a long ride. Those magical hours spent in the saddle moving and feeling free. What can compare?
Soon, I tell myself. Soon.
– Suzanne
We finnally had some decent weather here and I was out sunday and it was AMAZING. However, our summers are 105 f and humid so…. it is all in balance.
Love your post, especially the comment about indoor not really being rides, per se, just exercise. I definitely agree with you there.
Thanks Bob. I do it, but it’s not without some internal struggles! It’s definitely as much, or more so, for the mind versus the legs.
Couldn’t agree more. I consider it as much an exercise in mental discipline as physical exercise.
Yeah I get that.
Ive seen the news a few times this past month, your part of the country has had more than its fair share of sucky weather this year. Hang in there-
My spells of time ‘off the bike’ are usually always work related, as is this one I am currently in the midst of. I too have come to count on a certain amount of saddle time to keep a balance in my life, both physically and mentally, and when I don’t get that it shows, quickly.
The residents here in Anchorage have adapted quite well to the whole winter biking thing, two and a half times the national average of people who commute by bike year round is proof of that. I however don’t have a bike here set up for it right now. So for the last several days I have done what I can- hit the gym for starters. But I went out to the bike trails with the little camera (the only one with me) and tried my best to get some decent photos of the people who are able to get out there and enjoy the trail system here (blog post coming soon). Today I will go up and talk with my friend at the bike shop who designs Fat Back bikes and learn about the new geometry designs, etc. There are ways to keep our heads in the game even if the actual riding part eludes us for a bit of time. Dreaming of that first T-shirt & shorts warm ride of the spring keeps me going as well-
There are so many winter bike commuters here as well. I admire them! For me, it’s not necessarily that I crave warm weather (which of course, I do), but DRY weather. At least the roads would feel familiar to me.