susanstinson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
susanstinson) wrote2008-12-08 11:08 pm
susanstinson) wrote2008-12-08 11:08 pm
Entry tags:
Winter Trike
The trike shifts weirdly in the cold, and sometimes not at all. The tires spin on the first little hill when my street is icy. The lock sticks. Tonight, the small pump I carry in the basket was sliding out and poking into the spokes of the wheel. Also, something ominous is happening with the hub or the chain again. Moments of suddenly pedaling through nothingness, with no connection to the wheel. Moments of suddenly pedaling through thickness, as if the road was gravelly mush. This can be shocking to the thighs, which like steady work.
Also, I couldn't find one of my gloves today, and there was no waiting to see if it might turn up. Riding a trike when it's below freezing without gloves is reckless. It's getting dark so early, and I wish I had the better light that I had last year, the one with 5 leds. It stopped working this fall, probably from water damage. I replaced it with one that was much cheaper, but nowhere near as bright.
Those are my plaints, so early in the winter. But, I like feeling rugged. I like being able to get where I need to go. I like pushing the left grip back up the handle bar as it threatens to slip off. I like the motion, and the phyiscal work of it. I like its squat elegance, its red modesty. I love my aging trike, even in winter. As long as the snow isn't too thick to ride on, and the air isn't too cold to breathe.
Honestly compels me to add that I also quite enjoy sprightly rides in warm cars, too.
Also, I couldn't find one of my gloves today, and there was no waiting to see if it might turn up. Riding a trike when it's below freezing without gloves is reckless. It's getting dark so early, and I wish I had the better light that I had last year, the one with 5 leds. It stopped working this fall, probably from water damage. I replaced it with one that was much cheaper, but nowhere near as bright.
Those are my plaints, so early in the winter. But, I like feeling rugged. I like being able to get where I need to go. I like pushing the left grip back up the handle bar as it threatens to slip off. I like the motion, and the phyiscal work of it. I like its squat elegance, its red modesty. I love my aging trike, even in winter. As long as the snow isn't too thick to ride on, and the air isn't too cold to breathe.
Honestly compels me to add that I also quite enjoy sprightly rides in warm cars, too.