Winter still proved a difficult season for Michael Nguyen, even after all the years away from San Francisco. The cold winds and the watery half-sunlight played havoc with his mood, and the snow made the Univega he loved useless for riding, for the narrow racing tires were ill-suited for the drifts and ice. Tristan recognized the signs of the blackness threatening his friend early into the season, and so for Christmas, his gift to Michael was an all-terrain bike, one with a belt system rather than a chain to power the larger wheels over the winding trails that surrounded the Manor. Of course, the day after Christmas a blizzard hit, making the forest impassable for over a month. Finally, the sun showed its face again, and the snow softened enough for Michael to take his new bike on its maiden journey. He suited up for the cold; a baselayer shirt, windstopper tights with bibtights layered over them, a jersey layered over the shirt, winter gloves, his helmet, and a new addition to his attire given to him by Elise - a sports jacket that looked like something Batman would wear, designed to protect his upper body in case of a crash. He smiled as he zipped it up, remembering the look in her eyes when she'd given it to him, "to keep him safe", she'd said. He left Tristan a note on the table in the main foyer, telling him he was taking a ride once around the expansive Manor grounds, and he'd be back for dinner.
The air was chill, but not unbearable as Michael started his ride, the bike running well over the softer snow covering the trails. His breath billowed out in thick puffs of white steam as he increased his speed, testing the handling and the braking of the bike with the joy one can only get from being outside in the fresh clean air. Michael soon reached cruising speed, racing over the snow-covered trails like he he was flying, one with his machine, growing more and more daring with each push of the pedals.
The air was chill, but not unbearable as Michael started his ride, the bike running well over the softer snow covering the trails. His breath billowed out in thick puffs of white steam as he increased his speed, testing the handling and the braking of the bike with the joy one can only get from being outside in the fresh clean air. Michael soon reached cruising speed, racing over the snow-covered trails like he he was flying, one with his machine, growing more and more daring with each push of the pedals.