Spring first . . . let's not skip over spring, arguably the most enjoyable of the seasons because of the exciting sense of awakening and rebirth, but also because of the relief from the oppressive winter. I've always felt that if the winter wasn't so bad, the spring wouldn't be so good.

That's what the people on the other coast and southern Florida miss out on -- the beauties of a dramatic spring -- the changing from freezing, oppressive weather to warming, invigorating weather.

John, I thought summers in LA were pretty mellow, like mostly in the 80s. Is it humid in the summer?

Where I live is inland from L.A., the San Fernando Valley. It's warmer than Downtown L.A. by 10 or 15 degrees, we don't get much of the sea breeze that helps cool the city.
It only gets very humid when we have the monsoon flow that comes up from Mexico and the Gulf of California. This means t'storms in the mountains and high humidity with high temps for a few weeks on and off. Extra sucky at work then, especially when sticking my head under the hood of a running car.
Time to leave for the club ride. Who do you want in the Superbowl?

Arizona. It's there turn, plus Pittsburgh is a Cowboys rival . . . I don't want them to get that sixth ring.

The only thing I don't like about spring in iowa....very windy.

Absolutely getting a spring teaser today...45F!

Of course we cannot skip over spring. Was just COLD last night. Am tired of being cold. I hate getting into a cold car and shivering for 15 minutes as I drive.

Se. Ga.
 

i've been here workin' all winter and the forecast tomorrow is 50 with 15 mph winds. think i'll skip a day.

You folks sure do complain about the cold a lot.

I'm cold and grumpy...got a problem with that? :notamused: Huh? Do you?

I think we've already determined that I have problems with lots of things.

So you admit you have a problem? Great! Now we can work on helping you. :lol:

I have mixed feelings about it. I like Warner and I like the underdog thing, but that steel curtain is tough.

Had a good ride today. My friend Cathy (valleygirl) was there and we stayed together and took a couple shortcuts, so we were with the fast guys at the end. We got about 85 miles and I'm not wiped out from redlining for 7 hours. It worked out great.

So ... since spring is only a couple months off ... when are you all planning to ride your first century of the year?

Or have you already? Are you doing the Century-A-Month challenge in the Long Distance forum?

I have opted not to do a CAM this year, but I do want to ride a lot of centuries, so I'm thinking March will probably be when my first century of the year will occur. I hope the weather is decent. :)

I think <8 has a couple in already.

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emot...0_confused.gif

On a bike? Only if you are counting roller miles, cuz those are the only miles I've gotten on the bike since October.

Why haven't you been riding outside? Are you injured?

When are you going to the land down under? I got the impression you were moving there soon.

I reckon I won't do a single ride that cracks 100 miles.

Because I've been a wimp this year. Once the outdoor temps dipped down to 40, I retreated inside. Also, I am in my first year of teaching, so I am putting in time when I can find the time and it isn't always light out when I find time.

Fixed.

40 is still a warm summer day! Have a browse through the Winter Cycling forum sometime:
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=53

How is the first year of teaching middle school math going?

I'm guessing you've just graduated ... did you have to take the Ethics and Law of Teaching course in your last year too?

I will not be able to move until I graduate from University. I was accepted into the University of Tasmania for my last year, but it would have cost me 5x the amount it would cost me to finish my last year here in Canada, so Rowan and I decided that I would finish here instead.

I finish my practicum in April, and my graduation ceremony is in June. Then I move. :)

Of course, the one teensy down-side to moving in June is that it won't be summer here yet, and I'll move into the Australian winter ... so basically, I'll have two winters in a row!! But that might not be a bad thing considering the summer temps in Australia this year ... I might need 6 months or so to gradually build up my toleration for +42C.

There was not an ethics and law class in my program. I completed the requirements for my teaching certificate in April, but still have 2 courses left to complete my Master's degree. I will graduate a year from May. {fingers crossed}

The first year of teaching is overwhelming. I was not prepared for the amount of work and level of exhaustion that I would reach. It is not so much the teaching part as all the other stuff that comes with the job. Coffee is my friend!!!!!!!!

ETA: And as I said, I've been a wimp this year. In previous years, I have been outside on the trails until at least December. I have all the appropriate gear to ride outside, just have not had the motivation to do it.

Really? It's a required part of the Alberta program ... and I think all across Canada as well. I believe it's a required part of the Australian program too. It's all about teacher behaviour on and off the job (in real life, and on the internet (facebook, public forums, etc.)) because teachers are still considered to be influential members of the community, and because they've been entrusted with the lives of children for a significant number of hours a week. A very interesting course.


I've heard that's how it is. How were your practicums? My first one was a lot of work ... I'm expecting my second one to be the same. The Australian program has three practicums, so if I want to teach there it is quite likely I'll have to do another practicum when I get there.