| "Well it's a frosty one this morning folks -5ºC | | | | the path. In this city we have bylaw that bikes have to |
| (23ºF) you're going to need that scraper today!" | | | | have a bell, I slide my numb thumb over to ring it and |
| said the radio announcer. I groaned as I turned over, I | | | | the frozen ringer tab snaps off. Fortunately this lady |
| felt like had just got to sleep half an hour ago. I strained | | | | sees my wavering headlight and jumps out of the |
| to lift my dead body from the bed. My 5 year old | | | | way, "sorry" I yell as I roll past. Heading down towards |
| daughter had been up few times during the night | | | | the river I think I see a little water across the path, my |
| saying she was having bad dreams. With the little | | | | brain kicks in at last second and says that's not water, |
| sleep I had I guess I was going to have a bad day. I | | | | its -5ºC. My front tire slips off the path into the |
| slide out of bed and crawl into the shower. My body | | | | grass I am able to recover enough to not crash. I am |
| revives ever so slightly so I can now stand erect with | | | | awake now, at least for the next minute. |
| one eye open. As I stub my toe leaving the washroom | | | | I cross the bridge over the river and head into the |
| I realize I need both eyes open. | | | | woods as I come out of the woods I just about clip |
| Into the closet should I ride in today? Did the radio say | | | | some guy riding without any light on. I curse the guy |
| -5ºC it's only October 13th give me a break! | | | | under my breath and realize if I was not riding half |
| Maybe the ride will be good for me. I slip on my cycling | | | | asleep I would have seen him sooner. Thoughts of |
| clothes and decide against the t-shirt under my | | | | riding out of the valley in my condition haunt me as I |
| turtleneck, I'm tough I can take it. I stumble downstairs | | | | approach the hill. I gear down quickly and crawl up the |
| for breakfast. It's cold downstairs because I haven't | | | | hill, I'm in my lowest gear pumping, and if this hill is any |
| turned the furnace on yet. I flick the switch, the house | | | | longer I'm going to have a stroke! I make it to the top |
| will probably get warm by the time I leave. | | | | and my head is pounding but I'm not cold anymore |
| I slip on my wind pants and shell; I hope I will be warm | | | | now. My legs are soaked in sweat, which reminds me I |
| enough. I step into the garage, its cold! I roll my bike to | | | | need to find better gear for the cold. Through the |
| the driveway, it's colder! I'm sure it will be okay once I'm | | | | streets to my office as the sweat starts freezing to |
| riding. I slip a head band on and put on my helmet, a | | | | my legs I question why I didn't drive in today. I pull up to |
| few stretches, turn on my headlight, and I'm off. Whoa, | | | | the office start locking my bike up, a guy walks by and |
| Maybe I should have put that t-shirt on! Riding into the | | | | says "Wow you rode in today it's freezing out, you |
| park and down the ridge the wind is cutting like a knife. | | | | must be a real man" and smiles. A small inkling of pride |
| My eyes are watering from the cold wind and it's hard | | | | rises in me "Thanks" I say to him. Maybe even a bad |
| to see, I think I see someone walking their dog along | | | | ride can still be a good ride. |