Cold and slow this morning. My studded snow tires are really killing my commuting time. They're great in the snow/ice but slow and clumsy the rest of the time, plus the bike handles like a tank. I'll probably leave them on into March then go back to my slicks. I also stopped to help another rider replace a tube. He had gotten 3 tacks in his front tire and was p!$$ed. DC riders who've been using the Mount Vernon Trail recently have suffered similar fates (I've picked up 2 myself), fortunately the Park Service has been responsive in helping clean the trail. Temps were in the 20's and I on no less than 4 layers in addition to my gloves and balaclava, I had to stop and put on my skull cap as well since the balaclava was surprisingly drafty, otherwise the ride was fine and I saw 3 or 4 other riders (an unusual event at 5:40 am).