The depressing view from my house this morning.
First day back from winter break. Day after my crew killed it at the Mummers Parade, first day back after many days off. WHYY says it’s 10 degrees. I’m warm in my kitchen looking out at salt bleached roads and huddled, scrunched shouldered people shuffling quickly, miserably. Thinking about taking SEPTA.
Is Post Vacation Depression in the DSM-5?
I step outside. SO COLD. My nose instantly hurts. I get my bike out, load it up. Let’s just do this and get it over with.
DAMMIT I FORGOT MY GLOVES.
Back inside.
Down my alley, dodging potholes and icy patches, already whining to myself. For block after block, I have the streets to myself. “Am I the only one who biked today?” a thought not full with pride but with loneliness. My fingers are already cold through my $70 gloves, tears freezing to my cheeks, condensation from my breathing fogs my glasses, ices my goatee.
This sucks.
As I approach the South Street Bridge, I spot my first cyclist. By the time I get to work, I have spotted a total of 10. Not road warriors, normal folks wearing normal clothes. We nod in approval (or sympathy?) towards each other.
Somehow, it felt good to be on a bike today.
This article sums up why some people prefer to drive. My friend, a nurse who is a young avid runner, trains HIIT, routinely works out, and who eats fresh fruits, veggies all the time has Raynauds syndrome. She would love to bike but cant take the risk of having her hands and feet lose blood. She would not be able to know if she is applying enough pressure on the brake to save her life. And her attacks aren’t just for extreme temps, they happen even in mild conditions.
What feels good to you, may be hazardous to someone else.