I've been riding through the fall and into winter. I go to great lengths to manage the cold and risks associated with temperatures below freezing and the possibility of snow and ice. I've been doing this for 15 years and while I still enjoy riding, the cold is taking a toll on my aging body.
Last spring I suspended riding because of fear of ending up in a hospital as COVID19 was taking up space in our hospitals. As things settled and made more sense to me I started riding again.
Now the pandemic is more ravaging and our hospitals are struggling with cases. I've grown "comfortable" living in a world where I have to manage my risk from a virus as I do with riding in the winter.
But it again seems reckless to keep riding now. I've managed to dodge death from riding for a long time. I would consider it a massive personal failure to die of COVID19 because a spill on the Vespa sent me to the hospital right now.
So I will forego the lovely winter rides until the hospitals settle down (that not happening anytime soon here) or I get vaccinated.
I was wondering if I'm alone in this thinking?
Here's a view from one of my recent rides after the snow...