The sleet was pouring down but I got out my camera and took some photos so that I could share this experience with you. Notice how cozy the girls are UNDER the rain cover. And then notice how exposed my bike seat is!
So now that I have my new box bike, I have to get in shape to ride it. In a previous post I mentioned that this city is flat. But I am quickly discovering that flat doesn't necessarily mean easy riding. After a minute of peddling my new bike I can feel the burn! Thank god for destinations because otherwise I might just turn around and head for the couch. I'm at that stage in my life when I like to get exercise without exercising. Biking all over Amsterdam and climbing 3 flights of stairs with Sophie on my back is perfect for me.
Until I started using my new bike, I was very pleased with the public transportation in Amsterdam. But my bike gives me the freedom to travel around the city quickly and easily. Well, maybe not always easily. It's easy on a warm sunny day, but warm sunny days are infrequent in Amsterdam during the winter. The typical weather has been cloudy, damp and windy. I have been using the rain cover to protect the girls from the cold and wind. (In another post I will share my observations and comments about the Dutch parents that underdress their children and then expose them to the elements when transporting them on their bikes.)
This afternoon the girls and I attended a Kindermusik class. Thank goodness I put on the rain cover before we left because by the time the class ended it was sleeting. I was able to get the girls under the rain cover so they were bundled and warm, but I still had to brave the elements. I was very grateful for the warm hat and mittens that Joel's brother Adam gave me for X-mas. At least my head and hands stayed warm and dry. I biked home with sleet in my face - and even crunched on a few pieces of ice that landed in my mouth!
The only thing I could think about on the trip home was how to get breakdown the rain cover, park the bike, haul the gear and two girls home without subjecting them to the horrible weather. (We have to park our bike around the block at a public bike stand) Fortunately, when we arrived home the sun broke through the clouds and the rain stopped. I was able to unload the gear at the house and then take the girls with me to park the bike. I won't always be this fortunte, but I was lucky today.
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