The Prophet gets pumped to ride. Hopefully that thing isn't going to find its way onto his bike.
As Cyclists, we are uniquely subjected to the changing of seasons. The green canopy of forest that we ride through in Summer gives way in Fall to one of orange and yellow that mimics the fire of sunset. Just as those hues give notice to the changing from day to night, so do they now signal the change from Summer to Winter.
It is also a time of transition in our riding. The rides are first wetter, then cooler. Soon, we’ll be rooting about the kit bin for gloves and a wooly hat. Shorts become three-quarters and three-quarters become fulls. There might be a shadow of trepidation in bidding the warm months adieu, but there lurks some excitement, too. Wearing long sleeve jerseys and leg warmers signals to us that the fight for peak form is behind us and our rides now have a sense of insouciance about them; it is freeing to embrace the lack of structure to our rides. We ride, once again, simply for the pleasure of riding.
There is something else. The longer days of Summer almost afford us too much liberty in our training. The sun rises early and sets late; the possibilities to train are endless; the morning ride is skipped for the likelihood of riding in the afternoon. The afternoon schedule fills up and the ride is missed and the training takes on a more frenetic nature. The shorter days of the winter offer less choices, so the rides are fought for more vigorously. Choice can lead to indecision while restriction often feeds discipline.
I embrace the coming Winter and its accompanying discipline. Besides, after the Winter come the Spring Classics, and we loves ourselves some cobbles. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@Teocalli
Add some self confidence and you're in for great adventures....
@bea
A couple of phrases spring to mind:
+1; and
Nipple lube...
and obviously Rule 5
@xyxax! Where are you and your lovely family located these days? We just booked a 3 day trip to Zurich for this upcoming weekend. Got a flat in the city through airbnb and will be arriving just after lunch on Friday.
We would love to hook up while there for a meal if you are around there.
Rode a bit of cross and road yesterday. I have been reminded that I'm not what I used to be. Front wheel washed out on some wet leaves on a corner, went down pretty hard.
This morning I realized the entire left side of my body hurts, as does my neck, and I can't raise my arm above my shoulder. Good lord. A few years ago would have shrugged that off, now my entire body is sore.
@Buck Rogers
We are at the other end of the country, in Geneva area, just over the border in France. About 275 km away, so not really pop-in distance. You guys are really good about road-tripping with the kids, so I'm sure you'll be in the neighborhood one of these days. Enjoy!
@Ron
Oh yeah, I hear you.
Not sure how old you are but I am pretty sure that when I hit 40 a few years ago, my warranty expired almost like someone flipped a switch.
Oh well, hopefully with age comes a little more financial freedom so that you can cover down on the aches and pains with the good Scotch and not the cheap wine anymore, eh?
i am REALLY appreciating this post almost a month late, because i live on the humid subtropical gulf of mexico, in the land of the weird, wired, and near-perpetually drunk, New Orleans, Louisiana. today is a great day in my cycling year: the first day i need a long sleeve jersey and knickers. after a month long tug of war between wet and chilly, and wet and warm, it is finally here. THIS is the weather i've waited for since the middle of August, which is usually the month i get tired of wiping salt from my eyes, and start to look forward to cooler temps, and days enjoyed a a pace a bit less, um, insane. the air feels different as i draw it in. cool, dry, and crisp, the threshold to the few weeks of the year i get to slow down a bit and enjoy my family, friends, and job. this is the first year in many that i will spend on a REAL steel roadbike, my Masi Gran Criterium. i've just loved every minute of today, and i can't wait for tomorrow. life on a bike. apologies to frank for plaigiarizing, but, vive la vie velominatus!