I'm on a mission to clock up 1,000 kilometers in my legs before my adventure kicks off in June. The plan was simple: a bike ride to get closer to my goal. But I definitely picked the wrong day. Winter had decided to make one (hopefully) last appearance in Skåne, and it brought with it ice rinks masquerading as roads.
I was sure the bike paths would be salted. They usually are. So I set off, full of optimism and with the wind at my back (at least in my mind). But by the first corner, I realized my mistake. The asphalt I was expecting had transformed into a pure ice rink. Suddenly, I was performing a less-than-graceful slide tackle onto the hard surface. Thank goodness for my helmet! It saved me from a potential concussion.
But it didn't end there. Two more crashes later, and 20 minutes past my usual arrival time, I finally reached my destination. Along the way, I had to act as a guide, leading some other unfortunate souls across the treacherous streets. The salt truck had clearly taken a day off. It felt like ice skates would have been a much more suitable mode of transport that day.
Despite the falls and the extra time, I did gain a fair bit of experience. And a broken bike basket. My front basket, which was already a bit heavily loaded, took the brunt of the impact during the crashes and now needs replacing. Now I have to figure out the optimal solution: how do I replace it in a smart, cheap, and functional way? Any tips are gratefully received!
Luckily, winters in Skåne tend to be short-lived. And just as expected, the weather has turned. Today the temperature is above freezing, and all the snow and ice have vanished. Spring is pushing forward, and so are Mystic and I. The adventure is approaching, and I’m not going to let a little ice stop me!
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