It’s cold outside

Picture it, a sunny day with wind gusting to 40 kilometres an hour and a temperature of 3 Celsius. Two seniors were determined to ride their bikes and layers of clothes were required.

She wore long underwear, a hoodie and lined pants under a winter jacket. The hood was thin enough to fit under her helmet. A fleece face shield, a pair of gloves, sneakers and wool socks completed the outfit. Warmth not fashion was her concern. On the way, she opened the window in the car. Riding the trail was a colder experience.

Normally among the trees it would have been warm enough with less clothes but the air was frigid. Many of the trees had lost their leaves and there wasn’t as much protection from the wind gusts. 

Winter had arrived with a “feels like” temperature of -2 C but the couple stayed warm.

She and her husband rode on, through the splashes of colour remaining in protected areas. 

At one point, they headed off the main trail through a stand of deciduous trees with fallen leaves over a root-covered trail.

She looked back at one point to see her husband fall over and the bike fall on top of him. He was fine except for bruised pride. They decided to stick to the main trail.

The only part of her which became cold was her left thumb. Funny how cold can invade the digits, leading to frostbite. Not today. She adjusted the thumb, placing it under the other fingers and it warmed nicely.

A few people walked the trail too but there weren’t any other bikers. No wonder. These two are reluctant to give up cycling but the reality of its necessity is clear. It took them hours to warm up when they arrived home. The bikes will be stored until next spring. 

There are a few 10 C days in the forecast however. Maybe...