My Favourite Time

Now is one of my favourite times of the year to cycle, specifically; in temperature.

Today was 5 Degrees Celsius. Passengers waiting outdoors on the train platforms are re-wrapping their scarves tightly, and clenching their gloves impatiently, searching heat.

Cycling the dry fresh mornings in this kind of temperature, are just the best!
Practically the benefit is having to answer the question "how best to keep heat in", rather than the summer's converse proposition.

Also, there is something wonderful about seeing your own physical efforts measured and rendered by healthy patterns of exhaled moist breath.

I don't know why I like that so much, but I do.

Perhaps it expands the visual character of the cyclist, with added messages:

• "I'm workin' like a factory here!"
• "Look! Look! I have exhaust too!"
• "I prefer to do my heavy breathing now, rather than be unfit and end up a wheezy old man on a hospital bed."
• "And you thought I was combination smoking and cycling... oh the irony. Fooled you! :-)"
  

Plus the layers of coat & trousers are a timely departure from the summer's sexy-skin catwalk show. A respite period for any body-conscious shy cyclists, perhaps.