Fall

No, I didn't fall off my bike.
Thank goodness.
Fall is here and it has me thinking.
Thinking about how great it is that I don't have to take a sponge bath in the bathroom when I get to work.
It has me thinking about how I need to get my bike prepared for the winter weather onslaught. I got a new chain put on last week. We learned in our traffic safety class that you should get a new chain put on after about 1000 miles. For me that was a couple thousand miles ago and it has been acting all wonky so I went for it. Yeah, Summit City.
It has me thinking about riding in the dark again. I don't mind it so much from my perspective but I am worried about everyone else on the road you know. I need some more reflective or bright clothing. I am having trouble though. It is hard because I am not some super duper road rider. That gear is too streamlined and not for the commuter. I did find a sweet pair of fluorescent orange snowpants for this winter a couple weeks ago in South Bend but the jacket is proving elusive.
It has me thinking about the lights on my bike. The Breezer has a front and rear light that run on a generator but when winter is here they don't work in the snow, they freeze up so I need a backup. The one I bought last year for $35 already broke so I need to do some research. In a hurry.
Fall has me thinking about having to ride on the busy streets because they are the only ones that get plowed in the winter. Soon the days of the mellow, relaxing rides to and from work will be over and the fight for room in my lane will begin.
It has me thinking about the guy last week that laid on his horn from behind me all the way from the Tennessee Bridge to Crescent Ave. Angry white guy in a beat up Ford Truck with scrap metal that he had gathered that day. Keep in mind that that stretch of road will soon be a designated bike route!
Fall has me thinking about Winter and I feel ill prepared.
I hope that you all are well and stay careful out there.