Darth Lefty That's such a tough year you've had. Wishing you all the best!

Consecutive bicycle work commute number 1785:

Over the weekend we got about 1/4" of snow on top of a thin layer of ice, which made the roads really slick. I assumed I would have to pull my winter bike with studded tires out of storage and get it tuned up for Monday's commute. Unfortunately, due to some other serenity consuming events that happened this weekend, I never got around to prepping the winter bike. By Monday morning enough of the snow and ice had melted that I felt comfortable riding my hybrid bike and just dodging the ice patches.

This morning (Tuesday) the ice was 95% clear, so I took the road bike. The temp was 14°F, but there was barely any wind. I'm slowly donning my winter skin. My legs and feet were pretty numb by the time I made it the 8 miles to the office, but the rest of me wasn't doing too bad.

There was a full moon this morning, and it was as bright of a moon as I've probably ever seen. There were no clouds in the sky and the moonlight lit up the MUP pretty well. Too bad I only encountered one other person out enjoying the moonlight on the MUP.

My cut-off for switching from glasses to goggles is 20°F, which meant this morning I was wearing goggles. Unfortunately, when I wear goggles I don't have my "take a look" mirror available. Riding in traffic without a mirror is much more harrowing than riding with one. I crossed one intersection and began to signal for my left turn which happens immediately after I cross, when suddenly a car sped by me on the left side. I was fully in the lane which meant they deliberately chose to pass me in the intersection. I would have seen it happening with my mirror. With the goggles it was a sudden surprise.

There's a part of my commute where I have to cross one of the busiest roads in the state. This intersection is controlled by stoplights but for some reason, this morning they were in flashing mode. I don't think I've ever seen this intersection in flashing mode, even in the middle of the night. The street I was on had the flashing red light, and the busy street I was trying to cross had the flashing yellow. Given the amount of traffic on the road I was crossing and the fact that they didn't have to stop for the flashing yellow light meant that I stood at the intersection for quite a while hoping for a break in traffic. Eventually I realized the break wasn't going to happen, so I had to play Frogger and do some dicey moves to get across. I hope they have the lights repaired by the time I leave the office.

The hot shower after I arrived at work felt glorious. I was five minutes late getting to my desk because I was thoroughly enjoying the warmth.

Brrr!

Temperature dropped about 15 degrees since last week, so I had my first frosty commute of the year. Took about 15 minutes extra to leave the house so I could find all my warm cycling clothes. After that, it was just another (fine, sunny) day riding to work.

Need to do it more, though. My knee gave me trouble climbing the stairs -- after one flight I gave up and took the elevator. But after a nice warm shower, no problems.

I did exactly that to a presta tube about a month ago. Except my clamp-on pump was able to release the broken stem piece. But I still wound up making the call of shame to have a new tube delivered.

Next time I'll be more careful with the valve stem, eh? :rolleyes:

We got around 4" of snow this weekend. I was focused on house projects and forgot to swap on my studded tires & bar mitts. Without the tires, and needing to haul 500# of construction supplies, I managed to talk myself out of riding on Monday. Same for Tuesday. This morning I resolved to ride anyway, without the studded tires & bar mitts. It went well (the roads are plowed, it's just a matter of dodging the ice patches). In hindsight I regret skipping the last 2 days. The temp rose to 22*F this morning, and I finally have figured out the right amount of gear for 22*F (without much wind). Yesterday, at 6*F, probably would have been fine with just adding the bar mitts. For windy days I'll add another windbreaker.

By the end of the season I might have my gear all figured out... :lol:

Consecutive bicycle work commute number 1795:

17°F this morning, but the crosswind was only about 10 mph so it wasn't bad at all. Most days our high temps have been above freezing, so we're having an unseasonably warm December so far. No snow currently in the forecast. Starting to look probable that we're going to have a brown Christmas.

I try to commute at least 3,000 miles by bicycle every year. This morning I hit the 3k mark right as I reached the office, so took a photo to commemorate the occasion.

Speaking of commemorating the occasion, my son is going to finish high school today. It's been an extremely rough road to get him to this point, but he finally made it. He doesn't want my wife and I telling anyone because he's embarrassed that everyone else his age graduated three years ago. We're abiding by his wishes, but it's really difficult because this is huge and we want to tell all our friends and family. I figure it's safe to tell you all because nobody knows him personally, and at least that way I can share it with someone. :)


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...13e7dec0e8.jpg

Still calibrating my winter clothing selections. Doesn't help that it's been warming up nearly 10 degrees, from freezing to 40F, during my commutes the past few days. I was wondering why I felt so cold, colder than I expected, starting out, and then was sweating so heavily when I got to work. Finally checked the weather service history -- now I get it! :)

Surprised by a train this morning. I can usually hear them coming, but today I was right in front of the main line locomotive blowing his horn (though two blocks away, and the track curves). So I jumped (while riding along), my instincts yelled "Get off the tracks!" for a moment, then my rational brain replied, "Huh? I'm not on the tracks. As a matter of fact the crossing is a block that-a-way!"

After that wake-up, the rest of the ride was calm, cool, and collected. Wildlife for the day was the big white fluffy dog, in his fence, who's always happy for company.

Consecutive bicycle work commute number 1802:

Final day of commuting in 2023. I'm off work for the remainder of the year, taking my wife to see her family in Ohio. Assuming I ride my normal route home tonight, my total commuting miles logged this year will be 3,107.

This morning was about as easy as a "winter" commute in South Dakota can get. 28°F with a very light crosswind. No snow on the ground. Occasional patches of ice, but nothing that hindered me from taking the road bike. I made it the 8 miles to work in about 35 minutes. Usually by December I plan on at least an hour because I'm on a slower bike, bundled up and fighting the elements.

We're supposed to get about 2" of rain over Christmas. Rain in December. That's really weird for us. This has been the warmest December I can remember. Morning temps have been below freezing, but probably only a half dozen mornings have been below 20°. Usually by now we've logged a few sub-zero days. Highs most days have been above freezing in the 30s and 40s, which again is very unusual for us.

I have my winter bikes prepped and ready to go once real winter finally decides to hit, but so far they sit unridden. I'm not sure if this is going to be an extremely mild winter, or if mother nature is just saving it up to slam the crap out of us starting in January.

See you all in 2024!

I rode today. I work at an elementary school, and today is Pajama Day. Um, no, I won't be coming in wearing pajamas, and I don't own any, anyway. I decided wearing athletic clothes is enough of a change. It was cold and windy, and I ride along the river which is colder and windier than the rest of the City. I decided to try without wearing a coat. I layered up with baselayers and cycling tights and jersey. That worked, but damn, my fingers and toes got cold. Classic problem. Maybe I should get those chemical hand warmers. I have a pair of shoes they might fit in.

Rat tally:
Dead: 1
Alive: 0

It seems every time I ride in the City, I see at least one rat, dead or alive.

I work with 4th graders. They seem amused to see me dressed this way. I'm amused to see them dressed in colorful pajamas.

GPS tracks

Merry Christmas, everyone

I got no bike stuff this year and, know what? I didn't miss it. I'm all set for now.