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Thursday 5 November 2020

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...


33 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Enjoy it for as long as we are able. The next few days should be good for you. I guess it is even warmer here than there for now.

DJan said...

Good for you! I love these pictures, especially the first one, just gorgeous. I'll bet you'll be out again before the snow falls. :-)

Tabor said...

The warm colors do not make it look very cold. Glad there were no serious injuries!!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, time to hang up the bikes for the winter, alas!

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad that chilly as it was, you enjoyed yourselves. And that pride was the only casualty.
I do hope you get those (relatively) warm days.

Martha said...

Such beautiful fall photos. I hope you get a few more days of riding time in!

At Home In New Zealand said...

Loved going along today with the Two Senior Bikers, even if it was cold. Hopefully you will still get a couple of warmer days before the cold really settles in.
Stay warm! Mxx

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Ohhhhhhh..

Perhaps you should re-consider continuing........

✨πŸ’›✨πŸ”₯✨

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots!

You're going to get what we're getting, a handful of days with temperatures between ten to sixteen.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Grand photos of the trail. And you paint a pretty picture of these two doughty seniors - whoever they are! Maybe you could rig up some kind of heater from the bike battery.

Glenda Beall said...

So sorry you have to store the bikes for winter. I have enjoyed your treks through your beautiful forests. These photos take me on your ride with you although I have not been on a bike for years. Thanks so much.

Bill said...

The riding rebels ride again. :) Great photos!

Tanza Erlambang said...

wow... -2 C degree?... We never walk outside below +10 C degree.... we always walk or jogging at +15 C degree...

Beautiful photo as usually.

Have a wonderful day.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Very well written. It does sound rather cold though.

Jenn said...

An adventure! Chilly but beautiful!

Celia said...

Glad you keep on riding as long as you can. What magnificent bikes and they take you to visit your wonderful outdoors. Hope your hubby isn't sore from his tumble.

Joanne Noragon said...

I believe you're right, hanging up the wheels until spring.

Red said...

If you continue cycling in the cold you will get used to it and get a feel for what clothes to wear. My latest cycling was DEc. 8. Then it was the ice that stopped me. Many people now are riding all winter.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am amazed you could even move your limbs in all that clothing!

Debbie said...

awwww, i know exactly how you feel, the ride is always so fun. being outdoors is one good thing we can do for ourselves during the pandemic. the path is looking beautiful, the colors are so special!

each time i read these bike entries, i smile and feel a great sense of joy!!

The Padre said...

Best Post Ever - You Made My Heart So Happy - Thank You For That

Big Hugs,
Cheers

Catarina said...

I am picturing it … Two seniors who are vibrant and healthy, who love their age and are reaching it with grace and humour… The clothing layers, the bruised pride, the very cold digit…. I’m sorry… I couldn’t stop smiling. : ))
Have a warm and pleasant weekend!

Margaret said...

Good for you for riding in the cold. It's 36/2 degrees here and that's a bit too chilly for me. My thumbs get numb even in warm weather bicycling. I can only imagine if I tried in these temperatures. Those Rad bikes are heavy! Hope your husband is OK.

photowannabe said...

Love this third person narrative.
Beautiful leave covered paths and I'm glad the Husband only had wounded pride.
Those are really neat bikes and it's kind of sad that they are going away until next season.
Brrrrr too cold.
I would think all those layers would make it hard to ride too.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sue

Lorrie said...

Cold, but so beautiful!

Helen said...

I'm in awe of these two seniors determined to ride their very impressive electric bikes for as long as possible. I fully understand as your winter is soooo long!
The autumn leaves continue to fill me with joy.

HWIT BLOGG said...

Lovely, lovely photos! Here we have an ordinary GREY day...it´s warm for the season. So strange...
Love from Titti

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Gorgeous photos Marie and your tale of the ride had me smiling big 😊 I have a feeling there might still be at least one or two trips left before the bikes go into hibernation πŸ˜‰

Anita said...

I have to smile You two!!always out, no matter about the weather hihihi

Nice el bike:))

and very very good nature photoes:))

Stay well and warm :)))

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Hmmmm...that couple sounds familiar Marie. So glad they made it home and warmed up !

The Liberty Belle said...

Nice photographs taken along the ride. Sorry to hear about the fall but glad to know that it did not result in injury. Have a great week.

Retired Knitter said...

Oh how I wish we would get some cold weather. I live in the mid-atlantic states and it is almost like summer. I LOLVE winter.

Rose said...

That sounds like a cold ride!