Hope you feel better soon Hardy. I felt weak today but I pretty much do every morning because I don't eat before I ride in.

I also overdressed this morning. 40 degrees and I had a jersey, 2 long sleeve jerseys, vest and arm warmers. Way too much!

It was 12F this morning with a very strong wind. And we got a fairly big snowfall, and the plowed areas are totally icy. So I didn't pedal in today. It would have been mighty painful.

It's been pouring off and on for the last two days, but I've been lucky to have dry commutes both to and from the office. Just lucky, I guess.

I rode, and it totally sucked. Could have been worse, I suppose; when I got to work I heard a spspspspspsps kind of sound and realized I had just punctured my front tire. And for some stupid reason today I didn't have a patch kit with me. Had to walk to a bike shop to get one. Looks like we're good to go for the ride home, though.

Coldcoldbrrrrcold, about 5 degrees F. Had to pull over to pull on glove covers, and it didn't help even a little bit. My fingers felt like they were going to break off by the time I pulled up to work.

Saw a guy on a flat bar road bike going very slow and weaving across the lane. He didn't look like much of a cyclist. No big deal, but as I maneuvered around him, I discovered his bike was this beautiful Colnago with aftermarket flat bars. I felt really sorry for the bike.

Don't make judgments like that! One day, someone will judge you badly. Maybe he's really a good cyclist. Or maybe he'll become one.

On a leisure ride on a hot summer day, I saw some "poseurs" with beer bellies and super-fancy bikes at a rest stop. One guy was quite a bit older than I was, but after a very painful mile, I couldn't keep up with him. That put me in my place.

It wasn't so much his speed, but the lack of bike handling ability while riding a top model bike which caught be by surprise. Plus, I don't see many Colnagos used as commuters.

Oh, and I secretly wished we could trade bikes.

You coulda asked! And for all you know, he wouldn't have cared and said OK!

Ha ha! Good point.

Great commute today to work and back, it's still pretty wintery around here. It was 15F this morning and the ride home was 26F. We still have a lot of snow and ice but it was still a good commute. I'm so ready for spring.

Started hailing about a 1/2 a mile in to my commute. Fun.


(I wasn't worried about my wet pants, wet shoes, soaked socks, IPOD, or myself. I was worried about my blackberry!)

I put in 29.1 miles today, raining all the way! No problems, no rude drivers. Just got a bit wet. Had to change to a dry shirt and put on my poncho. I need to find a lightweight and bright rain jacket ....

11F/-11.5C, at least according to the word of Gawd as I rode by (church marquee ticker along my route). Less wind and less ice than yesterday--I could have (and should have) done without the studs today. They will be off before nightfall!

It was a baumy 70F on my ride to Group PT for my 3.5 mile run. Rain clouds loomed but the rain never came. I rode the last long hill without dipping into single digits on my Garmin.

It was a cold ride today, 8 F, (-13 C). Most of the ice and snow had been well pushed to the side of the road. There were only a few spots that forced me into traffic. I figure that the number of these kinds of cold days are numbered, so it is something to look forward to.

Nice, clear, cool ride. I overdressed so am a bit sweaty now. Nice job Montgomery County of clearning streets and (some) sidewalks. I ride sidewalk for about 5 block where I370 dumps into 355. It was actually fun riding through the snow remains. The streets were cleared very well and I hit no ice. Beautiful day and good to be back on the bike!

Second day of Metro, I'll probably have to finish up the week that way. Not that I couldn't ride today, I didn't want to waste my rr. hub. I need to pick up some cone wrenches to tighten my hub, it's been loose (and getting worse) since I noticed it last week. I got to the babysitter's house way early yesterday and should have stopped by the Performance that was just another 1/2 mile or so away. They have a complet set for $29. I've never really attempted this repair but figure it's time I give it a shot, besides, there's plenty of info. on the Park Tool website (and others) as to this adjustment. In addition, I no longer have easy access to my preferred LBS since our babysitter moved so, I need to become even more self-reliant. Well, the good news is that this cold weather should be gone by the next time I'm back on the bike.

Warm ride at about -7C. Some guy honked as he passed me, dunno why there was plenty of room and he was never held up. I caught him at the light and knocked on his window, but he wouldn't unroll it to explain his actions.

Report:

14F, Road bike w/ skinny front. Only real snow was on the east facing hill that heads down off my own street. I took it super slow, but probably could have gone faster-- I don't have any experience on snow + road bike, well, at least I didn't....

Once it gets above freezing in the next 24-48 hrs, it's gonna get melty and black icy for tomorrow or Friday, I fear....

Story:

I was locking my bike up and another cyclist approaching the parking garage yelled very angrily at some driver not to block the sidewalk as she fumbled for whatever she needed to enter te parking structure. He was clearly late, and was asking people about the train schedule as we all walked the tunnel, his lateness, appearance, and agitation made everyone shy away from him, but I answered him.

I hate to comment on anyone's looks, but the first thing I thought when I saw him was "cadaver.." he had deeply sunken eyes and frozen, paste white/grey skin. The guy looked really rough. I cut short my advice for him as he continued to ask schedule/track questions, telling him that I'd only been at it a week.

My express wound up failing to arrive, so I cut over to the local that I had advised him to take and wound up across the aisle from him. I remained wierded out, until the female conductor came by to check tickets. He greeted her with extra-friendly good vibe-y cheer and familiarity and she returned the same as they chatted for a bit. Obviously she used to conduct the early train that he normally takes.

As a Christian, I made a point of helping him when he was sort of being ignored by the other commuters, but I still (mis)judged the guy. It WAS 14 degrees F out... I'm pretty sure that my black neck gaiter over my nose while out in the streets was as off putting as this poor guy's frozen skin. He sure looked like he'd been through some hard times, but he was a lot friendlier than I've been to anyone even as of yet today. Lesson learned.

Gear envy:

I also passed a guy folding up a sweet Brompton at the track. I sure can't wait until I get my folder!

Brrrrrr..... 3.0 degF, much ice and snow, blocked bike routes part of the way (darn snow plows)
and an icy icy bridge crossing all on slicks as I didn't spring for snow/ice tires this year. Had a guy
in a white van zoom up behind me, swerve around tossing slush and yelling $&%(# at me . But, all
was well 10 yards later when he had to stop for cross traffic and I zoomed by giving him a proper
and respectful "salute." All in all a fun ride in.



D. Joe

I had to come in early today, made for a really nice ride, almost no traffic at all. But I'm sleepy now.

Not wanting to repeat yesterday's skunk stripe, I made sure the fender was actually over the wheel instead of off to the side. It was so no skunk stripe. Can't wait to go back to using my regular commuter. The mtb is fun, but it's not set up for commuting anymore.

I'm so glad that so many people have discovered the merits of fenders. I'm thinking of putting them on most or all of my bikes.

What about foot bindings or whatever the general term is? I refuse to ride a bike unless it has some form. They can be toe clips or clipless cleats or Power Grips, as long as they're something. Do you folks feel the same way?

Today, noglider, I rode through a dicey snowy stretch with my feet out of the clips, and pointed downward to keep the metal from dragging in the snow. I wanted my feet out incase the bike went out from under me.

3.5 flat miles isn't really long enouh to save much time by increasing my efficiency with clips, but if they're practical for the bike, I have them on. If I were to commute through deep snow regularly, I'd go w/o clips. When I get my folder, I'm not likely to put on pedals that will take clips.

Edit: Return trip: I was nailed on the side of my helmet with an iceball. I totally chased down the kids into an alleyway... the obvious thrower must have thought I was going to seriously kick his butt, b/c he was reaching into a dumpster to get something to defend himself with.

I asked him what he thought he was doing, and he came right out w/ sorry sir and so on. I asked if he'd like to see a picture of my babies, and showed him and his friend my toddlers and wife, asking them if they really want to knock me over -- under the wheels of a car on the icy road, and have my brains scattered on the road. They agreed that this would be a bad thing. I asked about his age and school (14)

I guess race is part of this-- white guy on a road bike in a black neighborhood, but I teach in a black high school, and tried to make it more of a teaching moment than some kind of road rage thing. He'll probably talk big about it to his friends, but might just take something more positive away from the experience.