I know. It’s a bold entree for anything having to do with cycling. But I think about it a lot. Sunday’s ride added to the depth of my mortality in a number of ways and left me with a profound feeling of solitude that I haven’t felt in years. This is not a bad thing as we all have a point that we must reach, a level that we must attain, an Everest we must climb. Even if it is just the Causeway.
Author: Tom Saccone
Riders on the Storm
Conditions weren’t ideal when I left for the ride today and the weather reports were calling for freezing rain coming into the area about 2:30 from the south west. That was the general wind direction today as well. Just a breeze really and the flags we saw were lazily waving. Before leaving for the ride I attended to a few rituals getting the bike and my clothing in order. I am sure you do something similar. First, get the bike ready, a quick cleaning, gear check, air in tires, lubrication. Also, a visual check of the weather, wind, temperature. Then decide on which layers to wear, type of gloves and hat. I arrived at the downtown Bakehouse a little early as I like to do. IU was playing today against a tough opponent. So were we: route 446.
Panther Sighting in Bloomington!
Saturday, Jan 19
News reporter: “You’ve said that you saw what appeared to be three big wild cats on the roads of Bloomington. Can you describe what you saw?”
Witness: “I’m still a little shaken from the ordeal. Exhausted really. But I saw three of them. They were stealthy and unbelievably fast, quiet and smooth. But it was clear that these were the real deal. They were getting away from me. I don’t know why, but I decided to see if I could keep up with them. It was like chasing a truck, and they kept getting further away. My memory is so vivid, it’s as though the word PANTHER was written on them.”