The Art of Creative Cycling - by James Maynard

There is a mild sprinkling of late afternoon rain, and toward the west I can see darker clouds threatening. So I do what is most tedious for cyclists in winter in Portland: rain pants and a raincoat, wriggling my shoes into waterproof boots. It’s still cold, so gloves and a winter weather band on my head, then I unfold the children’s buggy, lock it onto my bicycle, and I’m off. I’m convinced on days like this that the hardest part of cycling is the will to put on all the gear. I felt myself falter looking at that sky: it would be easiest just to grab the car keys and drive the three miles to my children’s preschool. For a half a minute that’s just what I plan to do until I tell myself I’ll have more fun on the bike : it’s boring to drive a car in the city, and a waste of gas with the kids so close by. Just pile on the damn gear, James, and get it over with. Thanks for reading And Now, A Sonnet! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Today I’m glad I talked myself

There is a mild sprinkling of late afternoon rain, and toward the west I can see darker clouds threatening. So I do what is most tedious for cyclists in winter in Portland: rain pants and a raincoat, wriggling my shoes into waterproof boots. It’s still cold, so gloves and a winter weather band on my head, then I unfold the children’s buggy, lock it onto my bicycle, and I’m off. I’m convinced on days like this that the hardest part of cycling is the will to put on all the gear. I felt myself falter looking at that sky: it would be easiest just to grab the car keys and drive the three miles to m