HAPPY HOLIDAYS
I am posting my Holiday challenge pboto today on Christmas Eve because 1) I most likely will not get to ride tomorrow — Christmas Day — and 2) this is the day we always celebrate our family Christmas.
Today was a very short ride, but a little longer than the one mile I had initially thought it might be. The frost was thick and cold out there in the 28 degree morning. I probably would not ride at all!
It gradually got a little sunny and our road looked kinda dry so I decided to get my ride. Within about 50 feet of my house, it was still heavy frost. Our road is very shaded by surrounding trees so the sun was not hitting many places. That convinced me that I would not be doing my regular loop of the neighborhood roads as they are much the same as our immediate road.
OK then, once I decided to go a little further than the one mile, I continued onto the Boulevard which has more sun available. Shortly however, there was my dreaded black ice!
Though I managed to get 6 miles of riding in, it was not the most fun ride. Keeping a sharp eye out for dicey areas, being afraid of not seeing them, and being ready to avoid those I did see took a lot of concentration and left little enjoyment for me.Too bad as it was a gorgeous crisp mid morning that would have offered a great day of riding.
Oh well, as my friend Cindy says, better to be able to ride in the future than to fall and possibly break a body part!
The top picture will do for my Holidays Challenge this year ;’-). And will also serve to wish you all a great Christmas and a MUCH better upcoming new year.
14 response to "HAPPY HOLIDAYS"
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Happy Holidays, Nancy!
Six miles and ice – that was enough! But you got out there and got your pictures – bravo!
We, too, celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve – as does everyone in Germany.
My Dad was Danish and they had celebrated on the Eve as well, so we always did the same in my family. I was surprised that Susan’s family did the same. Her dad was of German decent, so I guess that is why. I prefer it and am happy we continue that tradition.
Happy holidays!
Thanks Bill. I hope you have a great one as well.
Happy Holidays to you!!
Thanks Rich. You too ;’-)
Better a short ride than none at all, and better to come home in one piece than nursing an injury. Happy holidays to you, I look forward to your fantastic ability to find challenge shots again in the new year.
Thanks Em. You are right about that — a short ride is always better than none, and short rather than an accident is the way to go ;’-). And thanks for the kind words of my finding ability!!! Things just seem to “jump” out at me once I start looking for something ;’-)
You are right in that sometimes constantly keeping an eye out for ice takes away from the enjoyment of a bike ride.
I also grew up in a family that celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. I don’t know why, we just did. My wife’s family, on the other hand, celebrated on Christmas Day. Those differing traditions resulted in a few debates while raising our own kids. She “won” all of those debates, so Christmas Day became my new tradition.
I can imagine the “debates”, but for families it worked out well for them to have time with “other” (In-law) families for Christmas gift opening ;’-).
Happy Holidays! Yes, black ice is the worst, whether riding or walking.
Or driving actually! If there is enough of it. Thanks for your good wishes.
Bravo for you! So glad you didn’t bust you bones on that black ice. I didn’t even go out of the house the last two days. Today my daughter mentioned it was 20 degrees, but supposed to warm up later in the week. My family did not celebrate Christmas on the Eve except for some years at midnight services, but Jim and I have always had our major meal (generally with more family members than were here this year) and then we have brunch on Christmas Day for our two unmarried children. I’m afraid the Coronavirus Christmas is going to have me spoiled, as I didn’t have to wear myself out cooking and I decorated so little that my daughter brought her own small tree with her when she came yesterday. I am a lover of ordinary days.
I am very aware of falling, and if any chance of that, I desperately try to avoid it. ?. There are times though, so I try to not, knowingly, get out if there is ice.
We have been quite fortunate with weather but rain is expected for most of next week. However, that has been the forecast for every week, and there is often a break long enough for a local ride at least. I hope your weather gets good enough for at least a brief time outdoors. Staying indoors for more than a day, or two at the most, makes me cranky at best!