November Commute, rounding the Horn

Howard Bishop said:

It's the same day it always is in November. I get up, I read the
paper, I look outside and I shiver.
I tell myself that today I won't ride to work, that today I will
drive.

The sky is just turning from black and gray to colors, with the
tiniest sprig of purple indicating which way is east. I think about a
coat, but it doesn't go any farther than that. Three layers of shirts
and a waterproof jacket are enough, if I wear gloves.

I wear gloves.

By the end of the first block I remember that they aren't enough; they
never are. At least today it is only cold. On election day it
rained constantly, but the polling place was on my way and I suppose I
wanted to make a statement of some sort. Today it is merely cold.
The grass is heavy with frost, and the creek is partially hidden by
steam. At two blocks I can feel the cold on my arms, on my chest, my
legs and my back, and the pain is coming to my head. I have joked
that it's an ice cream headache only with bricks instead of ice cream,
and I know that it will get worse. I could wear a balaclava but I've
been here before, and I know how this ride goes.

I shift down and try to spin uncomfortably fast. "You must work,
Ivan, to stay warm" Alexandr's words always rattle around in my head
on mornings like this. The next mile passes and the one after it. I
am doubting the wisdom of riding today, but riding to work has become
habit; it is the way I know....

See <http://www.leitra.dk/default.htm>.

--
Tom Sherman

Arrrgh, how would you think piratey thoughts on that?!

Howard Bishop said:

Arrrgh, how would you think piratey thoughts on that [Leitra velomobile]?!

The Danes were Vikings, not pirates.

I believe "in" is a more appropriate than "on" description for the rider
of an enclosed velomobile.

--
Tom Sherman

Although the only ice I see in Florida is in my umbrella drinks, when it is
cold, I do pushups and sit-ups before I head out. It takes several blocks
off my warm up time.

"Howard Bishop" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It's the same day it always is in November. I get up, I read the
paper, I look outside and I shiver.
I tell myself that today I won't ride to work, that today I will
drive.

The sky is just turning from black and gray to colors, with the
tiniest sprig of purple indicating which way is east. I think about a
coat, but it doesn't go any farther than that. Three layers of shirts
and a waterproof jacket are enough, if I wear gloves.

I wear gloves.

By the end of the first block I remember that they aren't enough; they
never are. At least today it is only cold. On election day it
rained constantly, but the polling place was on my way and I suppose I
wanted to make a statement of some sort. Today it is merely cold.
The grass is heavy with frost, and the creek is partially hidden by
steam. At two blocks I can feel the cold on my arms, on my chest, my
legs and my back, and the pain is coming to my head. I have joked
that it's an ice cream headache only with bricks instead of ice cream,
and I know that it will get worse. I could wear a balaclava but I've
been here before, and I know how this ride goes.

I shift down and try to spin uncomfortably fast. "You must work,
Ivan, to stay warm" Alexandr's words always rattle around in my head
on mornings like this. The next mile passes and the one after it. I
am doubting the wisdom of riding today, but riding to work has become
habit; it is the way I know.

The road turns; there is wind. I think about Cape Horn where sailing
ships would cross from one ocean to the other. One world on one side,
a different world on the other, and in between the weather of The
Horn. The headache may be gone, or maybe I am just used to it, either
way it doesn't bother me.

And then I start to feel it. The first surge of warmth on my back. I
fight back a smile as I know where I am. It's not a place on a map,
but it is a place on my ride. With each pedal stroke the warmth
expands, sending tendrils first around my core, and after another mile
(or maybe two) down to my fingers and before long even my ears are
warm.

Coat unzipped, gloves off, the rest of the ride might as well be in
Any Month; I think piratey thoughts and am contemptuous of the
weather, for I have been 'round The Horn of my morning,