kadmium

I got a new bike (the PFD is about to get dropped in our bank account — $1100 for each of us this year). It’s a Gary Fisher Marlin hardtail (“hardtail” means it’s got a suspension fork but no suspension in the rear).

It’s big change for me, considering my current bike is ten years old (and the shifters I use are 15 years old). It took me three years of hemming and hawing, but in Alaska biking means mountain biking most of the time. I’m also hoping that the upright position and modern shifters will make winter riding a little easier. We’ll see.

Native Alaskans have a bajillion words for snow. I’m making up some new ones.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t ride today. It’s absolutely gorgeous outside. Skies are crystal-clear, probably 35 to 45 degrees (F), depending on where you are in the city. The only reason I didn’t is because I had a meeting this morning across town at the admin building. Which was a lame reason, because it’s a 20 or 25 minute ride, on a dedicated, paved bike trail through a lovely greenbelt. I told myself I didn’t have time. And I did. I just haven’t shed that attitude yet, that I have to be someplace as quickly as possible and that taking an extra 10 minutes each way is not going to screw up anybody’s day, and would probably improve mine.

This will be my third winter in Alaska. I’m not taking any crap this time. Not that I’ve had a bad winter up here yet, but I have spent some time feeling, well, a little put upon by the cold. Not this year.