Hard Core Bicycle Riding

Hard core winter bicycle riding. 

Yep in Alaska there are folks who defy common sense and ride their bikes year round.  Summer and Winter.  I live with a man who falls into that crazy category of hard core.  He was one of the first to be a winter rider some 30 years ago.

He rides daily.  Sun, rain, snow, ice, sleet, clouds do not deter him from getting on his two wheel mode of transportation and fighting with elements.  To me he is brave and just this side of crazy.  I love to ride my bike in summer but you will not find me dress in winter gear to fighting snow, wind and sliding cars!  And having studded snow tires on a bicycle is a whole another topic to me!

As luck had it Anchorages first snow fall came on October 31st this year. We awoke to about 1 1/2 inches covering the ground...it was more later.  Halloween trick and treater's had to march through blowing winds and falling snow later that evening. 

As he was getting ready for his ride of the day I snapped a picture off the front porch as he prepares to head over to the Discovery Center for the Halloween Party given by the staff for all to enjoy.  I on the other hand drove my car there!

And yes those are my snow tires for car leaning against the tree on each side of the sidewalk.  I'm awaiting my appointment at Johnson's Tire for my seasonal change over.

Splints and Sprains

On Thursday it was St. Patty’s Day plus Anchorage received a flurry of fresh fluffy snow about 3 to 4 inches.  Being the good woman I am; I said I would do the shoveling.  

Off I went to shovel snow off the sidewalks and driveway.  3/4ths of the way through on the street end of driveway the moment of truth happened.  I slipped on a huge patch of ice from the previous days of warm weather melting and refreezing at night.  The snow covered this 4 foot patch.

I can only hope if a neighbor saw me falling that I scored a perfect 10 on form!

Landing on hand was an experience I don’t wish to do again.  YEOW it hurt.  Picking my shovel like a good girl and limping back up the sidewalk, swallowing my pride I sat for an hour biting my lower lip so I wouldn’t cry until my doctor’s office was back from their ‘office closed for lunch’.  Unfortunately even though they have an x-ray machine they could not fit me in.  So off to the ER I go – I took a book, which turned out to be a life saver!   

The ER was standing room only all day due to many of us foolish folks slipping and sliding and those who arrived by ambulances who happen to be driving too fast for road conditions! 

6 hours later I come home with the news - Severe sprain to hand, contusion to wrist, elbow and shoulder.  Oh did I forget to mention hip feels like a mule kicked it? 

But the very best part of all this: I got a great souvenir - A handy dandy removable splint. 

             Oh baby those knuckles (hehehe what knuckles?) look like you been boxing without any padding!

Plus I get to see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in hand injuries (as per instruction sheet and is typed so all can see ‘only if needed’) since I’m one of those lucky Americans without health insurance we will be skipping this part of instruction sheet – totally out of my ‘only if needed’ area.  One must do with ‘what is affordable’. 

Winter Arrives

In my small world the first snow over two inches is a major event!  Means winter has arrived.  Make my world complete.  I'm totally a winter person.  I enjoy the brisk air, the color of white on mother natures creations.

Although driving in snow is not something I like...after 20 years in Anchorage, Alaska one gets use to slipping, sliding, and driving more defensively. 

Anchorage has two military bases.  So that means new drivers to winter driving.  I'm always amazed that when I ask a military person "where are you from" and get a response "Alabama, Georgia, Texas" my mind flashes to why would our military send southern folks who don't get snow to a state that is snow half the year.  And those raised in snowy states are sent to those southern hot as heck states.  Boggles my Fishlips for sure!

As my custom each year - May I present 'First Snow':