Nice cool 1C/34F temperature but there was a strong wind from the east, which accounts for approximately 60% of this morning's ride so I was much slower than normal. Brought my rain gear as the forecast is for rain on the way home and tomorrow (morning anyway).

Our city announced last week that they are preparing to sweep the sand that is dumped on the roads during the winter (and ends up at the side of the road, where bikes travel) but, they are starting with the roads that are going to be used for the annual Sudbury Rocks marathon which (1) is approximately 4 weeks away, (2) won't be used by runners until the race as runners don't run on the road, and (3) cyclists have been riding for at least 3 weeks now and are looking to use the bike lanes that are covered by the sand and could benefit from sweeping now, not after they are done the race route. Furthermore, part of the race route is on a road with bike lanes (we don't have many in this city) so sweeping the sand off this bike lane also clears the sand from this part of the race route.

I made a complaint (on Facebook) and as much as I might like to take credit for getting the city to change its plans, I don't think that's what happened. However, it appears that a number of bike lanes are being cleared now (including the one that will be part of the running race route).