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December 14, 2005
What I learned today about winter biking
Let me tell you, I learn something new every time I venture out, in my layers. Today I was unclear on the whole precipitation thing. It seemed like nothing was coming down from the sky. Note to self- check for sleet!! Just put a hand out the window or something, for dogs sakes. Because did you know it?! Sleet will smite you. In leeetle teeeny chunks that sting your nose and make it pink!! It kinda feels good, though. And makes a nice clicky sound on one's helmet. If you think you are clever, and can ride up the driveway from an underground garage, you will learn that sliding backwards is a real possibility and also gives you that nice little edge of adrenalin. Also, I learned today about fish-tailing, because people driving cars are a bunch of oblivious homocidal maniacs. Nothing new here, I guess, but it really became clearer to me today. Call me overly anxious about these matters, but I can honestly say every driver that I encountered was going too fast for conditions. I'm serious, man. Which brings me to another interesting thing that happened~ being passed way waaaaaay too close by a driver who was, I kid you not, dialing his cellphone. And just fyi, for those familiar with my *ahem* slightly maybe too relaxed biking habits, I was persuaded to wear my helmet on my head today. Egads.
Having said all that, 2 strangers called me courageous! Yes!
Hear me rowr.
Posted by pippypippy at December 14, 2005 04:40 PM
Comments
Pippy:
Please do continue to wear your helmut. Personally I would advocate helemts like the ones worn by those riding motorcycles for the conditions
one encounteres in Chicago. djm
Posted by: dave at December 15, 2005 10:57 AM
Hey, I am impressed as anything by all the winter biking. Do be careful, though - I can tell you from hard experience that that ice out there can make you go down when there isn't even a car around for miles.
Posted by: Thomas at December 15, 2005 10:58 AM