Last commute of 2025 was fun and unusual.

All the weather apps said it was 34F on the way to 60F. But it in fact 24F according to the bike thermometer, and I was one layer too light, including gloves, and yet, again, it wasn't too bad. It rose to 28F by the time I reached work.

I took the main commuter and it shifted flawlessly after I had spritzed 3-in-One dry lube in the right brifter after its reluctance to shift on the previous ride (at 14F).

I passed a house about halfway in and noticed the life-size pair of reindeer amongst the lawn decorations...except they were moving. They were real deer, on each side of a hanging hummingbird feeder heads held high licking it with a large live wild turkey observing up close and a cat observing from the porch.

Later, by the office I passed a homeless guy with a fire going under a juniper bush that was surrounding a utility pole. I called 911. They explained, as they do nowadays, that if the fire is contained in a grill or a managed fire pit away from undergrowth or buildings they will not come. I told them the flames were licking the bush and it was a matter of time before the bush and pole would be engulfed in flames which would disrupt any communicationcables or powerlines on the pole of which there appeared to be many. They said they would dispatch the fire department.

A few minutes later I saw a cop car with lights heading in that direction. On the way home I noticed the block had been cleared of all encampments and there were char marks on the pavement under the bush surrounding the pole.

It was a half-day at work. I left at noon. It was 60F and sunny and I hopped over on the trail which was a little more crowded due to the nice weather and it being New Year's Eve. I felt good and strong and I think I'm gonna try to ride 64 miles for my birthday this year (when the weather permits). It will be my longest ride ever by 7 miles. I have a route around the city picked out so that if I must bail, it won't be hard to either head home or get a ride.