The wind just hasn't quit blowing. Yesterday it was blowing quite hard. It is also a cold wind, wind chill down to just above freezing in the mornings.
My commute to work yesterday had me wondering why I am doing this. Yes, I enjoy it...most of the time, but I forgot that yesterday.
It was blowing soo hard that I couldn't ride straight. The wind would catch me, my backpack, rack and trunk. Capt'n Balance called me at 3:30, asking if I wanted him to drive out to where I work (30 miles out of his way) and pick me up so I wouldn't have to ride in the wind. He was estimating gusts up to 35 mph.
No, I said, it doesn't look that bad here. So off I went, the 1st 2 miles were alright. Windy but not the FREEZING cold wind of the morning. Then came the start of mile 3, up a hill, which is normally enough to get me breathing harder but no big deal. The wind was SCREAMING down that hill. I was burned out by the time I got to the top of it. I wondered at one point if I was moving at all. I had to drop into the granny gears. My eyes were tearing up from the wind and I couldn't see very well. It took twice as long to get up that hill and my legs were burning, I was out of breath.
This morning, I almost didn't ride. I looked out the window and there it still was, the WIND, blowing just as hard as the night before. I crawled back into bed. I got up at my normal "vehicle-drive time" and I checked outside again. The wind had calmed down and the sun was shining a bit. I decided to go ahead and ride, even if it may me late for work.
I'm glad I did. It was cold and still windy this morning but not as bad as yesterday. I enjoyed my ride. The sun has come out a little more and it is still breezy but I think today's ride home will be a good one. Now I remember why I ride!
5 comments:
Sounds brutal. It is such a great feeling when the wind is at your back though. Especially on the way home.
Please try and score a used copy of The Art of Urban Cycling, even tho you are not as urban, it is such a great read about our dailiness.....frustration dangerousness and most of all bliss, even in the wind :)
amazon.com my copy was like new for 3.00 pedal on.....
Hi Chris! In my neck of the woods, the wind always seems to be at my back in when I'm going down hill ;)
Anon-thanks for the recommedation. I looked it up on Amazon and will be ordering it this weekend. Bliss in the wind...it eludes me sometimes :)
Remember: A bad day riding is better that a good day working.
I have had rides that I was not having any fun. It happens.
Hi Mishelle! Great blog, Keep a good work lady!
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