Get on Your Bike and Ride

I don’t recall ever taking a bike ride in February in the upper Midwest. I took two this week. With mild weather and no snow on the ground, I decided to get my bike down from where it hangs in our garage, put air in the tires, and go for a spin. The top photo is signage for skiers and snowshoers who have no snow, with my bike’s handlebars and my shadow thrown in too.

Last year, I was out snowshoeing many times on this local golf course, and we had one of the snowiest winters on record here. What little snow we have gotten this year hasn’t had any staying power. Weather is often a topic of conversation, and such unusual extremes make it more of one lately.

The second picture is from my second ride last evening after work. One of the reasons I got out there was the predicted change back to more typical temperatures. It was gray and windy, but still good conditions. It’s February in Minnesota. I’ll take what I can get.

This stretch of trail at this time of the day can offer stunning sunset views. No such luck yesterday. But the sun and I were still there, present and accounted for. I paused to take the picture and paused in gratitude for my bike, legs, arms, helmet, warm gear, eyes, ears, and nose. And much more.

I do miss the snow in ways, and I worry about our planet’s health, but I also know a good day when I see it. The weather said get on your bike and ride, so I did.