General Cycling Discussion - Ahhh...the first signs of spring

As we all know, many of us at Bike Forums have been suffering through a long, frigid winter with arctic temperatures. However, the vernal equinox is next week and finally, our forecast is predicting warming temperatures in the next few days. Which of course, means melting snow and finally, the real beginning of the bike season. All of this made me think of some of the other signs of spring around here, aside from bikes:

- the Smell of melting dog poop!

- easter and passover stuff in the supermarket- easter chocolates eggs, hot cross buns, Matzo!

-potholes!

-mud!

-baseball

So what are some of the other indications that spring is on the way in your neck of the woods?

Tulips and daffidols coming through the ground;
Very long lines at every car wash in town;
and most inportant me on my bike!!

- The realization that salt is for popcorn, not roads

- The re-emergence of "Race Cars" on the streets

- Bare legs :confused:

Wabbit, we both know that saying stuff like that will jinx it and we will get another foot of snow!

Originally posted by wabbit
So what are some of the other indications that spring is on the way in your neck of the woods?


The roads are dry. It feels so weird to wear shorts and T shirts again after winter.

Here in Virginny, we're well on our way (this week... could change again). Crocus blooming, daffodil shoots, buds (no blooms yet) on redbud and forsythia.

it has been in the 80's F, this week, and it sure is nice :D

right now I can ride during the day in shorts and short sleeve jersey, but when the summer comes I'll be doing a lot more early morning and night riding ;)

Originally posted by wabbit

So what are some of the other indications that spring is on the way in your neck of the woods?

Magpies. :mad:

(I had my right ear cut open twice last year).

Being able to walk across the yard without wearing boots!

more sand than snow stuck to my tires :)

and of course re-newing spring puddle jumping skills and worm skidding practice....ewwwwwwwwwwwww...

wait .. that didn't sound right...
worms on the paths...after a good rain...? whewwwwwwww.

The temperature climbs into the nineties and we all try not to think about what summer will bring!

Signs of spring, hmmm lets see..

-- daylight
-- green grass
-- bugs
-- t-storms
-- walkers, joggers, etc

oh yeah..
-- bike races!

Ahhh spring, my favorite time of the year.

:)

"Oh to be in England now that spring is here" "Robert Browning".......

Sorry to be a misery guts, but spring around here is only an extension of Winter.

Originally posted by willic
"Oh to be in England now that spring is here" "Robert Browning".......

Sorry to be a misery guts, but spring around here is only an extension of Winter.

Speak for yourself, its quite pleasant down here on the South Coast:D

Red wing black birds and robins.

Thunderstorms.
Tornadoes.
Honeysuckle blooming.
late afternoon rides.
Het Volk
Paris Roubaix
Thunderstorms.
Did I mention Tornadoes?

Marty - where its heatin up in texas.

Well, aside from more daylight (hooray!) I'm still slipping and sliding on the ice between buildings here...should have bought stock in our local oil company. Don't know when I'll be able to shut the heat off. But, OK, there are a few signs of spring:

1. no income (the skiers are gone), therefore I can sleep in

2. The temperature has finally stayed above zero for more than
a few minutes (although the prediction is for 15 below tonight)

3. I think I heard a few birds thawing.

4. That darn red squirrel is sneaking into my kitchen every
morning again.

5. My goldfish are eating again.

6. The sap is running (mmm....mmm, maple syrup!)

7. I can finally see over the snow banks.

I'm still trying to be an optimist!

Yep, I hear those magpies can be deadly!

Around here, you start hearing the squirrels chattering and the crows cawing in the morning- sometimes they make such a racket!

And another sign of spring- the emergence of potholes! I saw a few around my neighbhorhood yesterday, each big enough to bathe a baby in.

As for crocuses it'll be a while before we see those, unless it really warms up. BUt it never fails, it gets warm, the crocuses appear and then we get snow!

Originally posted by threadend
- The realization that salt is for popcorn, not roads

- The re-emergence of "Race Cars" on the streets

- Bare legs :confused:
I have spread salt around my aprtment Building like 4 tons, and winter is not yet about to go

My favorite thought of spring arriving is Easter Sunday. Easter is opening day at CRESENT PARK CAROUSEL.
It is one of the oldest carousels around. Every year on Easter after church, my parents would take myself and brother to the carousel for opening day which is always on Easter Sunday. I remember Cresent park when it actually was a park. That was the good old days. So sad that RI no longer has Rocky Point or Lincoln Park or Cresent Park. We are fortunate to have the carousel still around. My father's first job as a young adult was "Ring loader" He always tried to catch us the "GOLD RING" Myself and husband have carried on this tradition. My least favorite thought of spring is a dirty four letter word "RAKE" Yard clean ups!!! YUCK!!! I would rather be rinding my bike (or the horse carousel)!!!!!!!





:D :D :D

Originally posted by willic
"Oh to be in England now that spring is here" "Robert Browning".......

Sorry to be a misery guts, but spring around here is only an extension of Winter.

off topic...but
speaking of Browning, I remember reading one of his poems...Love among the ruins or something....really liked that :D

Hockey playoffs. High water.

Pale tourists from parts North laying out by the pool trying to get a tan, but only burning.

Frogs. I love to hear them sing.

Flocks of Sand Hill Cranes flew over the house on Friday on their migration north. For me, that is a great sign of spring in the midwest. Saw them during both my rides this weekend.

Not only that, but I also rode without winter gloves....

Hmm... I just came home from a week in southern florida to find Ohio with Sunny skies and temps in the 60's (!!!) Anyway, I know its spring as I have to dodge waterballoons from motorists on my way to the grocery.

Canada geese! They should be flying over head any time now.

ALso: the dripping of melting snow from the upstairs balcony.

Jesus movies on tv in time for easter/passover.

Going out without having to wear a hat.

Not having to dress like Cartman.

Spring hit (finally) on Sunday - In the middle of my ride.

I started off Sunday morning with my leg warmers, jacket and balaclava. The sun was out but the air was cold (slightly above freezing). After 10 miles the balaclava went in my jacket pocket. Another hour later the jacket was in my pannier. Snow was melting everywhere. I could have taken off the legwarmers too – but they didn’t seem too hot. I was pleasantly suppressed to see the Bank’s temperature sign said 65 (F).

WOW – riding in shirt sleeves. I forgot how good that feels!

Long lines at the carwash.

Yea, I can't believe these people. First nice day to get out and do something and they sit in there car inline at a carwash.

Start of the bushfire season if this drought hasn't broken by then.

- seeing the yard rather than the snow.
- having a shoulder on the roads rather than piles of snow.
- being 10 degrees cooler at the shore (rather than 10 degrees warmer - ocean effect).
- people being friendlier as they get over their 'cabin fever'.
- and most important - getting back on my road bike.

Signs of Spring - mmmmm, oh I know ... trying to get into the same clothes I fit into without a problem prior to my winter hibernation. I think that's what they really made chamios cream for.

Yeah, that and noticing my tan from last year is pretty much gone.

Down under it's brushfires, for us it's flooding. Not right in the city, but the flooding will be bad this year I am sure- lots of snow and cold temps, tons of ice jams. Forest fire season usually happens in may or june.