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Day’?s Verse:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
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It has finally snowed. By snowed, I mean a real New England-type dump that leaves your feet cold and wet for months afterwards and makes you wonder why, oh why you turned down the job in Arizona.

Anticipating this snow dump, which weathermen have gleefully predicted for days and that garnered antsy eager anticipation from schoolchildren, I decided to ride my bike Tuesday evening to our Life Group in Holden (map). Looking at that map, you probably figure, “Oh, Katie rides six or six and a half miles a day anyway, so I bet that was ride was no problem.”

Thinking this, you would be both correct and incorrect, as I did complete the ride successfully. Calling it a breeze, though, would be like categorizing a lion as a kitty-cat. I say this because I rode up moderate hills, especially one notable hill starting where the road branches into 122A and Holden Street. About half the distance between that fork and the intersection with Shore Drive is uphill, and I worked for it. But the next hill made that look like a drop of rain compared to an ocean. The big mama of hills (around here) started at where Ararat Street intersects Holden/Brattle Street and only ends when Brattle ends, hitting Shrewsbury street. I spent the vast majority of the ride, then, pedaling steadily in a low gear up one incline that varied only in steepness. When I reached the top, I decided that I would trade my normal ride’?s short, steep climbs for one long incline: Once I adjusted to the uphill, I settled in and just did what I had to. It worked out well, and I felt extremely accomplished when I reached the top.

Good thing I decided to get in that ride, too, because this morning laying in bed I heard a truly ominous tinkling noise. Snow doesn’?t tinkle when it falls, I thought to myself, which means this is something either harder or wetter. Neither of those options sounded conducive to bicycling, especially with slicks on my bike (which I’?ve started thinking of as a pet. What should I name it?). Looking outside confirmed my suspicion: Ice pellets and virtually unplowed roads immediately shut down any plans I might have to ride. Precipitation has continued through the day, too, accumulating at a depressing rate — depressing only from a commuting mindset, mind you. Children everywhere have probably spent the day rejoicing and encouraging the clouds to keep up the good work, which it sounds like they will: Weather websites continue to predict snow, freezing rain, ice pellets, freezing mist/fog, or water in some other solid form through the night, followed by 25-mph winds tomorrow.

I hope the plows have at least cleared the roads enough for me to ride tomorrow, but my expectations remain low. Without studded tires, I won’?t be riding anywhere for a while.