The weather
has turned suddenly mild, almost spring-like, for the first time in weeks, so
of course the bike came out. She desperately needed a run.
I was
expecting her to cough at me at least twice before growling and snarling at all
this neglect (not least because I knew I needed to fill up). I was happily wrong and she didn’t cough, just
grumbled and rumbled smoothly to life, setting off all nearby car alarms. Tee-hee.
I was all
dressed up in Gore-Tex (it’s not that mild yet) and thermal layers and winter
boots and gloves, and I was hoping the ride would help my cold, and that my
cold wouldn’t hinder my ride.
There are
some distinctly specific challenges having a cold creates for a biker:
· One, you’re more exposed than in a
car, and your eyes (and probably nose) will be streaming regardless of your
health.
· Two, your movements affect those of
the bike. Before you sneeze or cough, you’d better hope you’re aware of all
unexpected potholes, diesel patches and other road debris.
· Three, you’re wearing gloves and
your pockets are closed. Tissues can’t be massively accessible without also
fluttering down the road in your wake.
So as an
exercise in bodily control and suppression of such usually involuntary items as
the sneeze reflex, riding is right up there with the hardest of them, believe
me.
