Growing pains.

      Remember how growing up seemed really exciting,  then you got a job, mortgage, kids and everything kinda sucked?  When you pass all that there's a new phase.  At 71, after reading for a couple hours, I've found it harder to get out a chair then it is to ride a bike 35 miles.

     This time of year is especially interesting.  When the snow has fallen along with the temperatures, I shuffle across the parking lot to the garage telling myself how stupid I am until I've ridden a few blocks and need to loosen my cuffs and pull the hood back to cool off.  

It's not a 35 mile ride this time of year,  the roads are barely cleared for cars let alone bikes so it's a unique challenge to get around town, but the sense of smug superiority it provides is well worth it.

On the other hand our city does a responsible job of clearing, or at least trying to clear the trailways.  The result is an icy mtb track protected from traffic where we can enjoy overheating under our parka for 25 miles or so.  It's a limited pleasure and a change of pace for a few weeks.