Yesterday morning I had an interesting and refreshing talk with a fellow commuter.
I was stopped at a dangerous intersection waiting for the light to change when an unacquainted cyclist moved from his queue behind me to parallel and next to me.
Two years ago a fellow cyclist had been illegally hit by a racing, highly inattentive car-driver speeding recklessly through a red light. The victim’s ghost is displayed solemnly at this intersection.
It was 6:45 am on a weekday and we were both slogging out to places of employment. He was curious to know if I planned on riding tomorrow with a forecast calling for 15 below and code to 40 below windchill.
I said yes. I mentioned that I carry a parka with my equipment in my burley trailer because I have extended exposure of two hours in the morning.
He was interested and shared that he was in the healthcare field at a local hospital where people and colleagues were always amazed by his riding in frigidly cold temperatures.
As the light changed, we wished each other well and rode off on our way.
This has been an uncharacteristicly good winter in terms of greetings and contacts with fellow commuters.
It’s not always an easy ride. Sometimes it’s silently dark, bitterly cold and very lonely. Incontro fortuito helps.
In Winter significantly fewer cyclists are out. Many hang up their bicycles until spring. As a result, there are many stretches throughout the day that there is no one around just barren winter landscape and a bitterly cold headwind.
As I sweep up the sand, gravel and salt from my living room floor, I am reminded of the costs in various terms of the winter ride and commute. The bicycles come in to stay out of the cold, snow and decay.
The snow melts off tires and frames met by a towel that mops up the water and protects the floor as a result.
Ride on into warmer, sunnier days now and ahead!