After years of near daily year-round commuting, I've already got my reputation (in my own mind as "Road Warrior"). Now, one of my best motivations to ride on nasty days is to see how often I'm asked, "You didn't ride your bike today, did you?" It always seems to be asked that way, in the negative.

I left this morning at 5:45 AM on my 14 mile commute at 18*F with an approximate cross/tailwind of 15 mph. Just as I was typing this post, one of the early morning people at work asked me that question, in the usual manner. My reply was "I'm glad you asked me that."

When I stopped to buy a newpaper at mile 7, a lady said in a friendly way, "You're either great or crazy," and I told her it was the former. As she came out of the store she told me with encouragement to be careful. However, some of the rare petulant comments I have encountered at work are about the issues of safety for me, and the drivers. My replies to that are to emphasize my precautions and point out that my routes are really pretty safe--reverse commuting direction, early in the morning; and I usually take a train home at night.