The Daily Grind
By Rob Manning

Winter Freeze

There’s something about riding in the spring that makes even the most cynical and jaded cyclist/writer change his tune for a few weeks. There’s something about the first ride in shorts and a jersey, without all the hubbub that centers around arm and leg warmers, tights, windbreakers and such that can just change your views of cycling.

With this job particularly, it can begin to feel like riding your bike is a chore; something you begrudgingly do for work but wish you didn’t have to. Never does this really come into play except in the middle of the north east winter. It’s never fun to spend an hour bundling up to go out and pedal through snow, slop and dreaded ice in the pursuit of reviewing products. Let’s face it: sliding around on ice isn’t fun, plowing through snow drifts isn’t really fun, and let’s not forget about the near-frostbitten fingers, toes, noses and cheeks that accompany those rides. Furthermore, it’s even harder to stomach when you have 3 solid loads of riding clothing to throw into the wash just so you can suffer again a couple days later.

Spring is something completely different. There’s something special about the feel of mud (even if it’s ice cold mud) against your bare skin, air that isn’t so cold that it sears your lungs and the thrill of the sun actually warming you as you ride. All that mud, although slippery, is still able to be ridden through (unlike ice, over which you have utterly zero control) and will help to sharpen your reflexes as well. Those early rides will gauge if your training program over the winter has worked, be it trainer rides, visiting the gym, or power lifting chips and beer while watching hockey.

Sure, it sounds clichéd, but it’s amazingly true. Those first rides of the spring leave you with a lasting feeling of goodness that motivates you for the rest of the season and makes you remember; the riding season is about to be reborn, just like the leaves on the trees.

Questions? Comments? Love letters? Send 'em to Techeditor@mountainbiketales.com.