My poem is dedicated to you, the courageous souls, who brave Winter's dangers and exciting challenges. Though written a few years back, you may find a picture of yourself today within these humble lines of verse.
Ode to Freezing Saddles
Deep inside a winter’s night
An alarm clock screams with all its might
The sun’s not up and the wind is howling
Like a grizzly’s roar or a tiger growling
You want to roll over and stay in bed
But a voice says, “Go!” inside your head
Snow is falling and the window rattles
Yes, another day of Freezing Saddles!
You slowly pull the curtain aside
It may be freezing, but it’s time to ride
Outside is many a wintry mile
Across your face spreads a thin wry smile
On with the base layers; on with the Gortex;
Gloves and booties for the Polar Vortex
Blinkies are lit and the headlight’s aglow
It’s time to head out in to the snow!
Black ice or powder, it matters not
Because you’ll give it all you’ve got
Knobbies or studs on front and back
On wooden bridges you find your track
So you take to the streets and leave the trail
But here it’s just another tale.
Speeding cars all in a rush
Are splashing salt and slinging slush!
Just when you think you’re going berserk
You finally make it into work
Coworkers cast a jaundiced eye
As their kitted office mate walks by
Backed up work’s on your desk in piles
‘Cause at lunch you rode those extra miles
Turn off the computer; lay down the pen
‘Cause now it’s time to head out again.
It’s still as cold as a witch’s ……nose
Soon you’ll have those frozen toes
The winter sun is a low red arc
And now you’re riding in the dark
“Why do you do it?” friends want to know
It’s cold, it’s dark; and there’s so much snow!
“Why don’t you drive or take a bus?”
“Why aren’t you like the rest of us?”
Sometimes you ask yourself the same
Who is it here that is to blame?
Is it the challenge; or the thrill of a quest?
Or teammates for whom you do your best?
What is the answer? You search your heart,
What is it exactly that sets you apart?
Words can’t do justice; why even try?
How will others ever understand why?
It’s making the first tracks on new fallen snow
It’s the thrill of going where few choose to go
It’s excitement and danger that fills a need
It’s your beating heart when you pick up speed
It’s the rhythm of your pedals, thighs and knees
It’s the full day ride and the lunchtime sleaze
It’s the joy in your lungs of cold crisp air
It’s the awesome silence that feels like a prayer
It’s the beauty of the sunlit snow
It’s the thrilling challenge that makes you go
It’s a pledge that goes on and on for weeks
It’s the permanent glow upon your cheeks
It’s beating your best on every ride
It’s the roaring fire that burns inside
It’s the frozen night where bright stars soar
How can you tell them all this and more?
Now, everyone’s leaning forward to hear
Why do you do this every year?
So you tell them the answer from deep inside,
Saying simply, “I’m a rider and I like to ride.”
So, when winter serves up its icy dish
And warm fingers and toes are but a wish
You forget the pain and open your eyes
All around you is the ultimate prize!
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An Ode to Freezing Saddles
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