Friday, November 16, 2012

I've Adjusted

Yes, I rode to work today.

I don't think about how long it takes me to gear up as I get ready to leave work. It is just something I do. However, it is a item of interest to some on my co-workers. "It must take you 10 minutes to put on all that stuff, " a co-worker said to me tonight as we were walking out of the Courthouse. And, she may be about right. I will admit I certainly don't hurry. I used to make an effort to make gearing up as "painless" as possible. There were times I fantasized about a Roadcrafter suit with its step-in, zip-up, and go convenience. And, while I experience sticker shock whenever I look at it, Heaven knows, Ive probably spent more on my arsenal of gear. But, truth be told, I've come to value the time it takes me to suit up. It provides a transition. It allows me to change gears, become mindful of the ride ahead, and leave work behind.

And, it is feeling right to ride home in the dark. It is always a bit of a shock when the time changes. It takes a couple of weeks for my internal clock to sync and the sudden loss of the sun to feel "normal".  I've adjusted.
  • 31F/-1C with abundant sunshine for the ride to work.
  • 50F/11C with the moon in the lead for the home ride.
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6 comments:

  1. SonjaMNovember 16, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Putting on your gear becomes a ritual. For winter gear it just takes a little longer. So what if you are safe and warm ;-)

    I didn't ride today, there was frost on the ground...

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    1. Keith - Circle BlueNovember 18, 2012 at 7:11 PM

      Seldom do we get frost that keeps me off the road. We do get some days after a cold snap where the ground seems to sweat and becomes very slick.

      I'm glad you are wise enough to ride another day.
      ~k

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  2. redlegsridesNovember 17, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    Gearing up is truly a ritual Circle Blue. It allows one's mind to switch from workaday thoughts to riding mode.... I find a put on my gear a certain way, in a certain sequence...perhaps a little superstition on my part?

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    1. Keith - Circle BlueNovember 18, 2012 at 7:12 PM

      I think a little superstition is quite appropriate. I'm not sure it helps, but what can it hurt?
      ~k

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  3. The City Mouse in the CountryNovember 19, 2012 at 4:33 AM

    Funny thing is that I was thinking about that the other day. The 5 or so minutes it takes me to be "geared up" and the other 5 minutes it takes me to walk around the bike making sure all is well (a ritual that should be more habit then it is). You do enter another mindset and way of thinking, it's not a bad thing at all in my opinion.

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    1. Keith - Circle BlueNovember 20, 2012 at 4:08 AM

      I think it is a very good thing to enter a mindset focused on riding and it appears I'm not the only one who finds the "ritual" of putting on the gear facilitates this.

      Good on you for doing your walk around.

      Thanks for the comment,
      ~k

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