Rain reached Elm City at seven. Stormy winds hit the tall trees, and wet leaves fell on the road. Tom had to get to work. So he took his bike and put on an old coat. Tom could not afford a car, so he rides in any weather.
The streets were wet and dark. One bad slip could end a good week, and Tom knew that well. He rode slow near the bus stop, because a bus came out fast. The bus schedule was late, so the stop was full.
His bag held two warm drinks for the office. So he put the bag in front of him. Then his shoe touched the wet paint in the new bike lane. The bike moved left, and one shoe went down to the ground. He did not fall, but one shoe was full of water.
A second slip came at the corner, but no one saw it. One woman held out her umbrella. So Tom walked the last part with her.
“Every winter is the same.”
The office was warm, and Tom was glad. His team was cold and tired, so the warm drinks helped. His right hand was slightly cold all day.
No rain motivates a rider on a wet morning. But Tom still goes, because the work is his. A volunteer counted bikes last week. His town wants one new thing to motivate riders. The new lane is slightly wider than the old one. A stormy week can come here every winter, but the ride stays.