With my main commuter on the disabled list, I chose to ride my 20" Dahon Boardwalk folder. It's got fenders and a rack and with the mini bull bars the position is perfect.

It was 23F when I left and 24F when I arrived at work. I dressed right, but my fingers were becoming cold. My winter gloves have no padding, and the folder has none of the cushy pipe insulation I have on the other bikes (except the 16" folder). When I ride in the position that is like riding on the drops there is no more pressure on my hands than on the other bikes. And when I do "eagle claws" on the bullhorn bar ends there is no pressure. Best I can figure is it's a matter of wrist angle.

I fought a light but very cold headwind on the trail to trail route. I slowed under the last underpass where my fender mount came off the night before. There was so much trash and pieces of burnt, black charred wood I could never possibly find it, especially if it ended up in the large rocks.

After so many days of working late, I was able to leave at 1:30p. I could have left at noon, but wanted to enjoy lunch alone at my desk. I again slowed and scanned the underpass without luck.

I had adjusted the front brake cable before leaving, since it was taking a longer squeeze to grab the brakes and the adjustment barrel was at its end. Even though the wheel turned freely when lifted off the ground, on the road it seemed like it was rubbing or dragging. I loosened the barrel adjust a few times until finally it felt free while riding. I suppose there is some sort of flex or perhaps tire interference when weight is put on it. I didn't hear anything, but my hearing ain't what it used to be.

It was 52F for the ride home under clear sunny skies. I took the trails home and there were some cyclists, walkers and joggers. About two thirds of the way home there was a jogger coming towards me from across an intersection. We both slowed to check for cross traffic when he called out, "Hey, Bob!" It was a co-worker, a features reporter for the TV station. I reflexively called out, "Hey, Bradley!". Luckily that was his name.

After I reached the house I went through my parts collection in the shed. I just knew I had a spare breakaway fender mount for the SKS longboards, but I couldn't find it. So I drove over to the bike co-op and immediately found one in the fender bins. I asked the manager how much and he said it's not worth the effort to ring it up. I see on line the SKS Secu Clip Safety clip is marked down to $5.69 from $6.99 for "Black Friday" but then there's shipping costs and the wait. But free and "right now" is better. I'll have to remake the custom dog-leg mount for it, but I have plenty of accessory mounts like the one I used before.

Sometimes it pays to be a pack rat. Being an organized pack rat would be even better, but at this stage of the game, I don't think it would be worth the effort. I'm very organized at work and with life's important adult things, I think the messy "carefree" vibe to my cycling helps keep it enjoyable.