This is probably no big deal for many of you experienced commuters in the north. One can commute regularly in Missouri, and only miss a handful of days during the winter, and never bike in cold slick weather. (Heat is another matter.)

The Wintry Mix started right on time this afternoon. Everyone around me was heading home early. I thought about staying late, figuring the traffic would only get lighter. But I didn’t have much to do today. The Wintry Mix had accumulated in a Slushy Mush on the streets at 5:00.

So long as I was moving, I had no problems. Starting was a bit tricky. I couldn’t get traction. One steep downhill ending at a busy intersection was scary but it was all mental. Most of all I cursed my inadequate lighting, in the interludes between streetlights when there were no cars behind me to light the slushy mush in front of me.

I did not get honked at, but then I wasn’t comfortable moving my hands to my new horn to honk back. I was uncomfortable with how little room most cars gave me. I thought they might be more generous under the conditions. Traffic was lighter than normal. Everyone who could had left early.

One car lost traction as it passed me. That was exciting.

A truck behind me at the light hollered “You want a ride?” I waved.