SAD Autumn - Seasonal or Solitary?

For years I have hated the shift from Summer weather to Autumn because as the days get shorter, and the weather gets colder, so summer sports come to an end. As summer sports come to an end, so the seasons of solitude begin. Autumn and Winter are lonely. The paradox is that I felt this way even when I was scuba diving every Sunday, and climbing every Thursday.

Tomorrow I could go for a run with one group in Nyon or a bike ride with two groups. One group starts iN Geneva, and the other stars in Nyon. If I go with the Geneva group I could ride another metric century quite easily. If I ride with the Nyon group, I remain local.

Last week I felt, “I don’t want to ride with the Nyon group on Saturday because it’s a race, rather than a pleasant ride, but at the same time, it’s local. Part of the reason for my seasonal affective disorder symptoms, or Solitude Affective Disorder as I playfully thought about it this week, is that I stretch myself between multiple groups. This is great for “social butterfly” life, but it prolongs solitude.

Yesterday I was certain that I would join the Geneva group for a ride because last Saturday I really struggled near the end of the ride. When we were cycling fast, into the wind, heading towards Les Rousses I was thinking “never again” and after yesterday’s evening ride I changed my mind. That’s why I don’t know what to do tomorrow.

Do I go for the century ride, or the local ride? If I go for the local ride I could go for my first “brunch” in years.

Impressive Choice

Bike Club Switzerland has seven group rides organised for tomorrow. Some are relaxed. Others are moderate. One is peak, one is challenge. With so many activities to choose from you can find something to your liking. In effect the weather makes it feel as if the season is over, but it isn’t over yet. If you live in Geneva you have a lot of choice. If you’re willing to cycle into Geneva you have a lot of choice too.

It’s Cold

On Wednesday morning I felt quite comfortable, dressing warmer than usual. I had a thermal layer, the usual top, and another layer on top, and a neck thing, and a thin hat and I was almost warm. Yesterday I wore a little less as it was later in the day. I felt warm heading to the meeting point and feared being overdressed. I then rode with the group. When we were in the café after the ride I realised that my hands had got cold. I had to warm them up again, to regain dexterity.

And Finally

Last saturday the ride was more demanding than I expected. The gradient for the first climb was steep and relentless. We then had a second climb, and after the second climb we had to cycle uphill and into the wind so by the time the ride was almost over I was knackered. Tomorrow this should not be the case so I think I will ride Saturday and Sunday with local Nyon groups, rather than from Geneva. I enjoy staying local.