The jacket is better than anything else I had. I could wear sweaters under my rain jacket, but it's a lot of work, and it gets too hot and sweaty. I have an old Eddie Bauer fleece jacket with heavy nylon shell, and it's like an oven if I try to wear it on the bike. I think after 26 years or so, it's time to give it to a homeless person. We're having an epidemic of homelessness here.

I don't mind being able to ride without bundling up, but in the context of global warming, it's making me extremely nervous. At least today, with temperatures still higher than normal, it has that nice, brisk feel. I don't know about Pittsburgh, but around here, we have grey skies most of the winter. I'm learning to enjoy them as long as it's not raining with a cold wind.