Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 02:35:42 -0600 (CST)
From: Frank "FishMan" Hassler
Subject: Shadows in the Moonlight
It was 12:15am when I left (my friend) Heather's house, and 6 degrees F outside. How
refreshing, I do love cold winters nights. Heather's mom thought I was nuts, and had
proclaimed that I must get a ride home, but I convinced my comrades otherwise. So I hopped
on my bike and left.
There was about 1/2 inch of crisp snow on the ground, which had dropped the night
before. The moon was nearly full, and the sky quite clear. I didn't take me long to
realize that, due to the intense moonlight, and lack of marauding cars, that my lights
served no purpose. So I pushed the rubber buttons, stiff from the cold, and shut them
down.
I decided to take the long way home. So down to the river I went, to Island Park,
crossing the wood and cable bridges. Then on to the bike path, heading south. I got to the
south Batavia dam, it seemed that you could hear the ice crystals shattering as they
rolled over the dam, like flowing liquid glass. I then proceed down a singletrack trail
which lead to Glenwood Springs Forest Preserve. It was so bright in the woods, allowing me
to easily navigate the narrow trail--over a log, across a half frozen stream.
I stopped for a while, reveling in the silver luminosity. I could actually see distinct
shadows in the moonlight. Crisp and sharp, ghostly shadows, like something out of a dream.
I decided it was time to go home, my legs and toes were a bit cold. After all, I hadn't
dressed with the intention of going for a midnight ride. All and all I rode about 8 miles
tonight, not very far. I slowly meandered my way home for about 50 minutes. Thought the
statistics aren't so impressive, it's nights like this that are truly memorable.
I wish all ICEBIKERS could have been there with me to share in the wonderment. It
was truly an enchanted night.
Happy Trails,
Frank "FishMan" Hassler
Home of the Winter Cyclist