I’ve recently taken bike riding to a more comitted level. Instead of fair weather rides that used to highlight the work week, my daughter and I have become ‘bikers’ in a deeper, more meaningful sense of the word.
Do you remember yesterday morning with the slow steady rain? We rode through it with slickers and boots and plastic bags…and my daughter sang the whole way. Do you remember the cold bite to the air in the early darkness of yesterday evening? We sailed through it with multiple layers of clothing, lots of fuzzy stuff on our hands and heads, and the bike was an utter vision: dayglo strips covered all available real estate, a flashing rear red light alerted drivers from behind, and I wore a stunning (literally) orange smock, so densely, intensely, orange that I am sure that everyone driving by was looking at me (which was probably the idea).
I’m starting to plan for colder weather. The primary worry is my daughter’s head. She refuses to wear a hat under the helmet. Maybe I could adapt a hat to cover the helmet itself. A few old scarves could re-purposed into helmet-hats. It wouldn’t be the most fashionable thing in the world but it would get the job done.
My daughter thought my bright orange smock was the cat’s meow. The minute she saw it Rada wanted to wear it in the worst way because, I believe, it is similar to what a police officer or firefighter would wear. I promised her she could wear the smock all evening once we got home. Here is Rada, proud and fashionable, complete with my smock, slippers, and headband. I was flattered.
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That’s some intense biking gear, Molly. Sounds like an adventure. Rada’s looking great (and glamorous in that outfit.
Ergh- I used to bike Meg to her pre-school every morning. But I had this mountain bike that I could never really find my balance on, and, sure enough, we toppled over one morning.
But she still asks when we are going to bike together once again ( * never more, said the raven…*)
And she is lovely indeed-
Will you ever put up an ‘about me’thing ? I am curious-
Hi Sue!
Here’s a bit about me. I live in a grungy but vibrant university community in Northeastern US, and am a single mom in my late 40s, parenting an adorable 4 year old. My job is in one of the more well-known institutions of higher learning in this area, and my daughter attends daycare in a building in the same institute. My daughter and I are both avid bike riders, swimmers, and book lovers. My daughter knows nothing about this blog, but once she is able to read on her own, I hope that she’ll pore over it with joy and amusement.
The two of you are amazing! It’s difficult enough for me to get into my heated car on these cold/raw mornings! Rada looks so tall in this picture! Can’t wait to have lunch with the two of you once this darned cold clears up!