Neil_B

It took me about an hour and a half to clear the doorways, walkways, and driveway today. I'm as proud of doing that as any cycling I've done. Keep in mind I'm a middle-aged, out of shape guy with a bad back facing a foot of snow. Folks say I shouldn't do things, I can't do things, and I do them anyway. I rock.

Sorry to take your time with this post, but I'm thrilled I could do this.

XYZsniper

Hey, this storm is nothing to sneeze at. We got about 14" in this area of ct.

Not only did I do my 2 walkways and shovel around the cars, I did my neighbors too since he has heart trouble. Between what was on the ground and what was on the vehicles, we almost ran out of room to put it all. I was pretty jealous of the other neighbors with their fancy snowblowers but I managed.

Santa better hook me up with a trainer because I just can't do the cold and snow.

cyclokitty 

Congrats, Historian, on your victory against the evil snow. I hate that stuff. Oh sure it's pretty to look at but once anybody needs to move past the perimeters of the property, the snow is evil and must die.

I'm lucky I live in a building and someone else has to clear the walkways, steps, lanes, and sidewalks of snow. It's probably just as well some other person clears the snow since I'd go at it with a blow torch. I'm positive that would get me in trouble.

I hope the snow melts soon for you.

funrover 

Can you send the snow to Colorado? We need some!

Thanks

ArtO

Good work project. Hopefully you paced yourself. Over-energetic snow shovelling is a major heart attack inducer.

Neil_B

I took care. I spent the first 20 minutes doing the doorways and walkways, then went back inside for a few minutes to rest and warm up. Then another 15 or so minutes clearing off the car and digging it out of the drift. I took another short rest, this time outside, and then tackled the driveway. I was drenched with sweat by the time I was done. And smiling too, the sort of smile a man has when he knows he's completed a hard job. I know this is nothing to most of you guys here, but I'm very out of shape, and not supposed to do things like this. So I loved doing it - it's the tough guy in me, my inner John Wayne, if you will.

Neil_B

I offered to send it to a Canadian friend of mine. She offered to send me Stephen Harper in exchange.

Neil_B

Oh, and for once I was properly dressed for the outdoors:

knit cap
balaclava
long sleeve t shirt
sweatshirt
winter parka
winterweight cycling gloves
winter compression tights
jeans
wool socks
snow boots

If I was going to be outdoors any longer, or be a distance from my home, I might have worn more synthetic clothing. Cotton isn't a performance fabric, true, but it works fine for many everyday activities.

Oh, and I 'wore' an MP3 player and headphones. The headphones added warmth to my ears and the music (Schubert Symphony #9 and Brahms Symphony #3, Williem Mengelberg leading the Concertgebouw Orchestra) took some of the drudgery out of the task.

bautieri

I was quite bummed out that we didn't get as much snow as expected in my particular part of Pennsyltuckey. Only 6 inches or so. I thoroughly enjoy the snow, it reminds me of where I grew up.

Mrs. Bautieri was quite disappointed that she did not get the 8-12 inches she was promised by the radio

Neil_B

Take all you want. Please.

Neil_B

OK, I can't tell if I overdid it, or if it's just coincidence, but my head cold and sore throat has expanded to include swollen tonsils.

Pinyon

You are one brave man, riding in the snow like that. I don't do snow anymore. It turns to ice so fast around here, and I tend to do face-plants every time I try to ride on snow/ice.

Sorry to hear about your sore throat. The cold air can tear up my throat if I'm already sick. Hope you feel better soon.