I consider myself an avid cyclist. I
ride for relaxation, enjoyment and to keep active for health. I have mostly
been a fair-weather cyclist. I have ridded short rides of just a few miles and
done rides over a century. I have ridden in New York City and desolate trails
not seeing another person for miles (and no cell service!). I mostly rode in
good weather and only very occasionally in winter.
I don’t enjoy time on my stationary
bike but did it to maintain some activity over the cold winter months. This
winter I made more of an effort to get out. I purchased a couple of additional
sets of “base layer”, good cold weather gloves and a couple of balaclava. I
also purchased a set of studded winter tires for one of my bikes.
The result of this was more outdoor
riding this winter. I rode in the coldest temperature I have ever ridden, 10F.
I rode with snow on the ground and in a snow storm. I still don’t enjoy these
rides as much as a nice warm weather ride but it does beat the stationary bike.
In my years of riding I have been
caught in many rain events from light drizzle to heavy deluge. The emphasis is
on caught. I have not intentionally started in the rain. That all changed a
couple of days ago. The forecast was for moderate temperatures with no rain. I
got out early to get an hour or two of riding in before I had to prepare for
work. I dressed, loaded my bike and set off for the trailhead. I arrived just
in time for the beginning of a steady drizzle. I was so looking forward to this
ride and the forecast said no rain so I went for it. I got on my bike and rode
in the rain. This marked the very first time I have ever intentionally started
a ride while it was raining.
So now I have a question. Does this
make me obsessed?
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