It’s time to say ‘Thank You’ to your two wheeled stallion.
Out enjoying my last ride of the season.
November is a tough time for cyclists who live in colder climates. The season has moved on but our bikes are still handy, not fully stored for winter because we just might get that one warm day.
I use this time to give thanks to my trusty steed. I clean her stem to stern, check her tire treads, note the mileage on the computer—if only I had ridden 28 more miles! I make a list of all the things I want to do in the spring: New lights, (wasn’t really happy with the ones I chose last year), chain has another year, tires are good. I’ve been wanting to test out new saddles, and am committing to making that happen next season. All the while, I’m thinking about the joy my bicycle has brought me. The trips down to the lake with incredible views of the Adirondacks, the elation at tackling the steeper climbs—albeit in the granny gear. The health benefits she brings keeping me fit, even if I didn’t drop as many pounds as I had hoped. Then I put her carefully away for winter. Nostalgia prevails, and it’s off to spin classes so I don’t miss a second of ride time come spring!
Here’s to the season to come,
Sara Blum
I agree – I just went out for an hour ride in NJ on this beautiful sunny day in November with temperatures in low 50’s, not too bad.
I also thought about all the good rides I did around the Jersey shore this season. A few years ago I was out riding on NY Day! Maybe will do again in 2016! And, yes, spin class is a regular for me year round. I don’t want to lose any strength and momentum I’ve built up. Love to Ride!! Thank you, Bike!
When I started riding to work here in Anchorage, Alaska, I was afraid to put my bike away for the winter. My fear was it would be too easy to make excuses not to ride next year. So I kept riding! Years later I am still riding to work year-round, please don’t think you have to give up the joy of riding just because the seasons change; there are plenty of clothes and types of bikes to ride all year!
Living in Brooklyn NY, I ride my commuter bike all year round. My road bike gets a major cleaning for the winter though. Unless the streets are really bad, I continue bicycling to work & fun. The bike gets a good wipe down when I come home. I bring it into the kitchen for a cleaning and scrub the grit out of the chain and other parts every few weeks. On goes the lube and a wipe down with Pledge. Keeps both bike and rider happy. Good lights are a must.
My bike, she is a two wheeled filly!
My beauty has been brought in and put on my trainer to continue riding through out the cold Ohio seasons slowly taking us over. Can’t wait to hit the roads in the Spring!
Love my girls. They keep me sane and exercised. We are squeezing as much road time as we can before the big snow hits Central New York. Then it is hybernation in the basement, itching for spring to hit the road again.