Biking on Thin Ice

Biking on Thin Ice

 

The outdoor thermometer registered 10 degrees as I walked my bike out of the garage and down my driveway early this morning.  Admittedly, the slipperiness of the ice beneath the dusting of snow we got overnight had me concerned for my safety.  I skipped riding my bike to the train station yesterday morning because I couldn’t even walk on the road in front of my house, the result of an early winter……well, technically late autumn ice storm.  The roads between my house and the train station were rideable for the most part, and I only slid around in a few spots.  The moon shone brightly in the burgeoning dawn as I pedaled, although I couldn’t really enjoy its stark beauty due to the need to be especially watchful of where I steered the bike.  Still, the coldness of the air I breathed and the warmth of my body from pedaling made for an enjoyable experience.

 

In Minnesota bicyclists are supposed to stay as far to the right as is practical and cars are required to pass bicycles at a distance no closer than 3 feet.  With there being more ice on the edges of the road than in the part of the road where most cars go, I had to ride perhaps 12 – 18 inches further out into the traffic lane than I usually do.  The people in all but one of the cars that passed by gave me extra room, for which I am grateful.   I don’t know how close that one car was, but I did emit a loud expletive or two as well as digitally displaying my discontent with their driving.  Doing those things was satisfying, but entirely ineffective.  I suppose one can’t expect someone driving ahead of you in the dark to see a hand gesture performed in black winter gloves.

 

I arrived at the train station with my facemask frosty and the rims on my bike squeaking as they turned past iced-up brake shoes.  I was early, but found to my dismay that the lock on my bike locker was frozen and resisted my initial attempts to open it.  After a few minutes and a few more muttered expletives I was finally able to stow my bike and hustle to catch the train.  I watched dawn break in all its wintry magnificence as I sat in the warmth and comfort of the train.  I know that some consider me a fool for riding my bike on icy roads in the dark, but doing so makes me feel particularly alive and well, a feeling I had lost in the years just prior to having weight loss surgery. 

 

RP

I have to pipe in here on one thing, Rick...  The bird you flipped.  It could very well be a GOOD THING the recipient of said bird probably couldn't see it.  I had an EXTREMELY traumatic 'road rage' experience in June of '07 - I didn't START the conflict, but I DID respond to Mr. Rage's bullshyt with a carefully delivered birdie, and that was the exact WRONG thing to do in the face of someone who proved to be extraordinarily unstable.

I don't recall, but I may have written about it in my profile... if not, and you are curious, I'd be glad to share.  I seriously doubt I'll EVER forget it.  Near death experiences don't seem to fade from one's memory with time.

Darla:

Yikes!!  You know how some things happen and you just respond without thinking?  That is what I did, but you have given me something to consider in that instant between taking offense to someone's errant driving and the first twitch of my middle finger.  Thank you for sharing what was obviously an ugly experience.

Rick