I didn't commute today because it was Sunday and also because I was driving from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. A funny thing happened I had to tell about, though.

I stopped into the Sideling Hill rest area on the PA Tpk and ran into 50 of my students. The boys and girls hockey teams from my school were returning from a tournament, and we were surprised but happy to run into each other in a such an unlikely place, over 150 miles from school.

In one brief exchange I realized that I'm not the only one aware of my recent all-weather commuting. I walked over to a table where some of my current and former US history students were sitting. All said hello, and then one cracked, "Hey Mr. Weiss. Didja bike all the way here?"

"Not techinically." I replied. "It was a unicycle."

WOW!!!! That's some scary ice out there tonight!
 

Went to Mom's tonight for dinner. After dinner, she took her dog out for a walk, and nearly slipped on the sheet of black ice that is covering the entire city of Sherwood (Oregon). Since I had my bike, she decided to drive me to the bus stop rather than make me ride to it (or home).

Catch the bus, ride to the Tigard Transit (Freezing) Center. Get there and check the schedule for the next 76 or 78 to Brrreaverrrrttttonnnn Transit Centerrrrrr. I've got a 45 minute wait. That's not going to work for me.

I rode home on a local trail, without any problem until I hit the skating rink known as SW Hall Blvd (Read: Sketchy, Scary, with LOTs of car under the best conditions, and this wasn't the best conditions). Damn that was slick. I hopped off after realizing that I'd never be able to mount the bike and get the thing moving before having the wheels slide out from under me. Walked across Hall, and spotted a bus heading for Beaverton... Hauled Butt to try to catch it almost made it to SW Greenway before it roared past me (damn Garage bound bus).

Headed back to the trail, safely managed to get to Denny, but when I got to Lombard... DAMN!!!!!! I managed to stay upright, but I've never been that scared from ice before.

I hopped up on the sidewalk and stayed there for the remainder of the ride, but I plan on staying close to home until temps warm up again.

You riding studs, K'Tesh?

Would doubt it. Not much use for studs here. I rode part way this morning but took the light rail through the west hills. Spotty black ice and I really didn't feel like dealing with it.

Pleasantly fresh morning this morning, the first decently cold day since November at -22ºC (-8ºF). I had some lighting trouble this morning, which frustrated me to no end in getting going...I was having trouble getting the fiddly little plugs to fit into the power supply that I remove overnight.

Once I got going, it was lovely though. A little bit of exercise can really keep you warm on a cold morning.

I hear you're sending some of that our way to muck up what's been an extraordinary January. :-> It was 30F this morning, well above the average high, making for a nice ride. There was still some snow on a MUP from Saturday afternoon, which was fun to ride through as the wheels cut through nicely. A sign at the trail head said it was closed today through Thurs, but I took a chance anyway. I caught up to another cyclist and he chewed me out for riding on a closed trail. His grin was ear to ear. I told him I'd just been planning at yelling at him too.

after spending last week getting some R n' R on the sunny shores of tropical cancun, riding to work this morning here in chicago, dealing with remnant snow and ice, sure was a rude awakening.

and yet, my rides to and from work will still undoubtedly be some of the highlights of the day for me. i wouldn't trade this lifestyle for anything. not even the sunny shores of tropical cancun.

11 degrees F. Toes got a bit chilly, but no problem riding in. Ride back was a sweltering 32 degrees with a few decorative flakes.

Commute into work was a bit warm at 30 degrees, but it is currently 25 and I might hit some flurries on the ride home. This is my first year of winter riding and I never imagined how much I would enjoy it.

Got'em... but wasn't on the bike that has 'em.

Now that's a pretty sight... (not a single car tire track).

It would be in conditions like that when I'd be riding the winter bike (with the studded tires). That said, the weathermen are pinging about a triple whammy of winter storms this week. It's currently raining, but if it gets too much colder, I will be dragging out the winter bike.

So far winter has only dabbled in this area, and another warm morning at 44f (7C). You just never know when it can change, but so far it has been an easy winter.

I geared up in my rain suit this morning but really didn't need it, light sprinkles, temps over 40, mild headwind/Suthernly cross wind. Squeaky front brakes driving me crazy, tried to adjust 'em myself but no luck.

I decided not to tackle the -30C temperature this morning. It is supposed to warm up Friday.

Relatively mild temperatures (mid-40s F) but steady headwind all the way to work. This has been the windiest fall-winter I can remember. Seems like I'm fighting winds every ride, with some extremely windy days several times a week. We are supposed to have sustained 20+ mph winds with gusts over 35 mph, but hopefully I will get a tailwind much of the way home.

This is what I call LIVIN TO THE FULLEST!! :thumb:

9F and thin ice on pavement. One of the few days I was glad my ride is as short as it is. very slow, very upright.

I tipped over clipped in today... That really hurt. Other than that, it was a good commute. Wet rainy weather but I got to try out my new cassette and chain. They worked very well. I had done the chain first not realizing the cassette was bad but it was certainly obvious went to leave as it was skipping like mad. I found a few less used gears to get me to work, then the bike store and back.

A tale of two rides is likely to be today's theme. Rainy ride in, but not really cold... temps in the 40s. Supposed to be sunny and 60 this afternoon before the cool down sets in starting tomorrow. Today is the last day for me before classes start, but I only have classes twice a week this semester.

Rain and 45--50f, with a pretty strong headwind on the way in today. High wind warning for this afternoon--if they're from the south I'll be thrilled! If it's a cross wind from the west--:eek:

Shorts and t-shirt weather in the ATX today. Winter? What winter? Beautiful sunny day, great ride in.

34F, foggy, precipitating globules of ... stuff... 4-6" of snow/slush. Took me about an hour to get in vs the usual 25-30 min...

and I'm the only person here!

back to the top with 2012, down to the bottom with 2011.

and my commute was just fine, if a bit cold. I did get in a 5mi rt to get a haircut at 3:30 this afternoon.