it’s a familiar but nevertheless unexpected lift to the spirits, the first snow. I’m happy I’m here to see it.

left takes me down past the allotment gardens back to susenbergstrasse. right wins on the robert frost index, but mainly on the fun index.

right takes me down the normal deluxe commute variation, a few dips to pump and pedal before a couple hundred meters’ gentle, soft, green circle baby town single track before returning to the dirt road. today, I have to push the thing on anything like an uphill–the snow’s too soft and deep. but I can pedal downhill well enough.

last night my roommate and I went out to play in the snow here, in the dark, with those trees tardy in dropping their leaves overburdened with the sticky flakes, and those prompter ones ready to receive their icy gift. a good time, like being a kid.

even on this thing I’m a little underbiked–it’s hard going in the fresh, sticky stuff–it’s the snow holding the bicycle upright in the picture. but with as little air as I dare in the tires it’s possible to go up ~5% grades with no drama.

by evening, the snow had firmed up enough for some faster riding. the forest detour was (as usual) worth it, for the clear quiet of the snowy night.

in my head all the time is uncertainty about my future in the next years, which stupidly adds some poignancy to just driving the bike between home and work. but I know I’ll miss it here, even if everything works out.