ARRGGGGH! Yesterday morning started with frustration. It was cold (16F) but dry. Despite the dry conditions I wanted to put the studded tire wheel set back on the winter bike in anticipation of the coming snow. That went smoothly and quickly (5 min), but the tires were still at a low 25psi from the last snow ride. So I went to pump them up. I put the floor pump on the rear tire and all the air rushed out. My bikes and floor pump live in an unheated shed and I have had silicon pump seals shink or crumble in the cold. I've even had the plastic parts just disintegrate in the cold...but much colder conditions.

So I grabbed a frame pump off another bike, pulled it open to pump, but it just came apart in two. Another pump seemed to work but at a crazy slow rate. I worked the floor pump a few more times to warm it up and the seal took. The front wheel inflated with no issue. So both tires were at max.

As soon as I started riding I had a nice surprise. I forgot that the new-to-me '97 Rockhopper is so much lighter than the bike it replaced recently. And with the new taller gearing it was a delightful ride. I had layered just right and traffic was light. The ride home was just as sweet. And I noticed that one the trails I take that was closed since thanksgiving for paving had re-opened during the day!

It had snowed last night, but I had an outside work free-lance project that went late and needed finishing in the morning. By the time I completed it and shoveled the driveway and walk for my wife it was too late to put my gear together for the ride to work. Plus it was supposed to snow all day, and I've already biked in all the previous snow events....and there will be plenty more.

The new Ford Escape is warm, comfortable and sure-footed, but most of traffic is not, and driving in snowy traffic is stressful.

I shoulda biked.