Recent errands I've run

Before the winter began, I resolved to myself that I would push myself harder through the bad weather. I tend to avoid getting on the bike when the weather looks foreboding. Not only that, I have little excuses for not riding. For example, I'm not wearing the ideal clothes, or my seat needs adjustment. Or it will take too long to get there, compared with driving. I push myself through these excuses and ride anyway. Not all the time, but sometimes.

I've gone out in some pretty cold weather this winter. Each time I do it, I ask myself if I'm cold. If I am, I ask myself where I'm cold, i.e. what part of my body. This lets me refine my clothing choices.

I've found that some ordinary carpenter's safety goggles do a fine job at keeping the cold wind out of my eyes. My eyes tear very easily from cold wind, which nearly blinds me when I'm riding fast.

Now that I have my clothing choices worked out well, there isn't much that can stop me from a short ride. It's gotten to the point where rides range from "not bad at all" to "downright pleasant."

Recently, I rode to Trader Joe's, which is about 1.5 miles from my home. I towed a kiddie trailer and hauled perhaps 60 pounds of groceries. It wasn't hard at all. I live near the top of the eastern hill of Maplewood, near Summit Ave. To make the climb easier, I rode up Millburn Ave and then Springfield Ave. It added miles but reduced the steepness of the climb.

Earlier this week, I delivered two bikes that I had tuned up for someone. I made an adventure out of the delivery by delivering them by bike! My client lives on the South Orange/West Orange border. This was hard. I lashed the bikes to the trailer. I had a few technical difficulties along the way, the worst of which was that the weight wasn't properly distributed. The whole ride there, the trailer was alternately pulling back and pushing forward on the bike, in an oscillating fashion. On the way, I got lost in Orange, forgot my client's address, had my chain fall off a few times, had the bike lifted up by the trailer falling backwards, and a few other mishaps. I knew it would be an adventure, so I had a sense of humor about it. Going home was a breeze, by comparison.

I also rode that night this week when it snowed. I had to pick up some groceries for my daughter, who had a bad cold. I could have driven to Pathmark, but another goal of mine is to think of cycling first and ask why drive, rather than the opposite. My wife Carol was surprised I was riding, but what the heck. Everything went just fine. No problems.

We're due for some snow tonight. I might brave it this weekend. I may have to put some knobby tires on one of my bikes.

Tom