This morning Aaron went into work a little late. He staid and watched Reuben so I could go on my first post-partum bike ride. I had read the weather report around 1 AM and knew it was cold and blustery so I piled on the layers. I dragged my bike out and eagerly headed for the bike trail. I've got to say the first moments back on my bike might be some of the happiest of my life. I felt so strong and fast and free. I even up shifted. Then I thought woah- slow down, go slow going out, fast back - if you can. I thought I'd do a short four mile ride.
The wind was howling and as I looked up the river I saw a wall of black clouds behind the capitol building. I thought that was odd since the weather report hadn't said anything about a storm. I told myself I could make it to make it to my turn around point. I pedaled hard towards the looming cloud bank. As I crossed into a wooded section the wind was blowing so hard I heard the giant trees groan and whine against the wind. About 200 feet from my turn around point, I began to feel icey rain pelt my jacket and then the sound of branches cracking mingled with the howling wind. I decided I should probably turn around early but then I thought NO, I'm going to finish my ride. I continued on. Then I saw a tree trunk braced against the wind splinter and crash to the ground. The rain turned to snow flurries. I couldn't see and I could feel my hair and eyelashes freeze together. I should have turned around!! I decided I had to get out of the trees as FAST as possible. I headed home but when I broke from the forest there was no cover to break the wind. The wind blew so hard it blew my bike over. I got back on and pedaled head down through the flurries whipping furiously around me. And just like that it was over. The sun was shining and the sky clear. If it hadn't been for the snow and ice clinging to my clothes I would have thought I might have imagined it all. I rode home and dragged my bike back into the apartment expecting Aaron to rush out and congratulate me on surviving. When I asked if he could believe the storm, he looked up from his Raisin Bran, blinked and asked "What storm?" Apparently the mini-hurricane stuck to the river. So I got to enjoy my own personal snow storm. I do NOT understand how snow falling on your nose and eyelashes could be anyone's favorite thing. That's crazy talk.
So thanks to my determination/idiocy I got some exercise and am back on the bike. Woo-hoo!
5 comments:
G, Katy! I'm sure when they came up with the song, it was A) someone like me that loves seeing snow, B) someone trying to find the good in a snowstorm, or C) someone with writer's block walking in a snowstorm.
I love riding my bike, but I don't like bike riding very much in the cold. It's hard to stay warm and go fast..
I laughed so hard when I read this, Katy. You have a gift for rendering true Virginian weather... I believe every word you said...splintering trees and all.
Your blog and your family--these are a few of my favorite things....
I think people who love snow on their nose and eyelashes aren't riding a bike while it's snowing. The windchill from riding drops the temp even lower, making it less fun.
You are hard core! I didn't even want to *walk* in that wind/snow/ice.
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