I took another Google street view look at the eye doctor's office and decided it would be safe to lock up there, so I took the '84 Nishiki International 12-speed. It felt so light after riding the twice-as-heavy RockHopper. It was the same 6-mile distance as riding to work, and I was able to take the trails all the way there. Three times ice completely covered the pavement, but it was just a few yards each time. It was the warmest morning in a while...around 40F, but the wind was stiff and seemed to come at me head-on from every direction, and yet, compared to Rockhopper, I felt like I was flying.

I had locked the bike outside on a sturdy security fence and it was unmolested when I returned. Then it was another 6 miles to the office, downhill, but against the wind.

Yet again there was another late afternoon emergency with frustrating complications that kept me late...but then the bike ride! The wind had subsided somewhat, but stayed at my back which made the uphills easier and the downhills as fast as was prudent. There were still a few icy patches all but two which could be circumvented. I even rode over 10 yards of icy sidewalk under a street lamp on 700x28 smoothies at 85psi and lived to tell the tale.

As I crossed "my" old little green bridge, the ice had retreated to reveal one of the wood planks suffered a loss, leaving a 3-ft by 28mm gap. I will have to be careful of this, expecially on the 700x25 Felt. I should report it to the city, but I'm afraid they'll condemn the bridge on the whole, since there are obvious signs of rot. Without the bridge I will have to go a couple of blocks out of my way on that route.

I'm driving tomorrow so I can hightail it to pizza and beer with my grandson after work. (!)