Saturday, December 25, 2010

Flying Down Xenwood

the Xenwood downhill
had been cleared of ice patches by the afternoon's sun
so I could hear the studded tires 
against the asphalt
I could hear the tempo increasing
hear the speed 
my numb fingers grabbed for the brakes
it was nighttime, after all
I was cold and cautious of the intersection 
the driveways between snow piles
that emptied onto Xenwood
near the bottom I let go
as the brakes eased off the disks
the bike relaxed 
and flowed into the straightaway
the rush was small
but not 
incomprehensible

I pedaled to the street's end where I turned
away from home
and I pedaled up Webster, over 29th
where I saw myself 10 minutes prior
in the tracks of the wet snow 
they wobbled left and right
I remembered holding my line
the snow lies
I coasted full-out the second time down
crouched
watching
tires buzzing
fingers ready to grab
but they 
didn't

the third time 
I stood pedaling up Webster
over 29th 
in the sloppy snow
I hit the big ring, pedaled over the top
I flew down Xenwood
spinning
body warm
toes freezing
smile spreading 
and this time 
at the bottom
turned toward home

- TOfinally satisfiedB

9 comments:

jeff said...

Beautiful! Hope you and WD had a wonderful Christmas.

The Old Bag said...

And you also, Jeff. Thanks!

Groover said...

Bliss!

Sounds like you had a nice Christmas ride. Hope Santa was good to you! All the best to Wheeldancer and you for 2011! Hope it'll be filled with many such satisfying moments as the one you describe in this post! ;-)

rlove2bike said...

Interesting...

Are the skis calling your name yet?
The conditions are great up here, as I am sure they are down there also.

Enjoy the holidays

Juancho said...

That's what I'm talking about. Way to go get some.

The Old Bag said...

@Groover -- best to you in 2011!

@rlove -- just got out on the skis for the first time yesterday...rain is predicted for Thurs, so my season may be short-lived :-(

@Juancho -- gettin' on it!

WheelDancer said...

I'll have to go looking for my own Xenwood...

C. P. said...

Happy New Year, OB!

The Old Bag said...

@CP -- A wonderful New Year to you!