Current mood: 
warm
That notwithstanding, I planned to join them, and in fact started off to do so, but it didn't happen. I jammed a chain about four miles out, an irritation that took almost a half hour to untangle. I've had that bike over 30 years and cannot ever recall getting it that jammed.
Anyway, by the time I was back in action, I would have been almost a half hour late, so just turned around and went home. At least I got seven or eight miles in, though, on a day that I well could -- should -- have just stayed indoors. If I ever do have to venture out in truly cold weather, though, I will know to wear a pair of socks over my gloves. That wind chill went right through just the gloves alone.
3 comments:
Since it's one of the hottest days of the summer, I thought this would be a good reminder of what it's like NOT to be hot.
Original comment from 2008:
Stuart Strickland
Just as a follow-up, on January 2 I did make a trip Downtown by bike. That morning the area got about three inches of new snow, enough to cause many school districts to implement two-hour delays.
By the time I started out, around 10:30, the temperature had warmed up enough to melt some of that snow, and of course the salt had by then gotten worked in, too. Net effect: Very sloppy, occasionally a bit hazardous with a slush pile on the roadway. Of course, by one mile out, I was close to soaked and covered with road crud. Downtown is 12 miles.
Nevertheless, I went to my business meeting in a major Downtown office building, stopping at the restroom to pick up a pile of paper towels to sit on, so I wouldn't soak the chair for whoever had to sit in the same chair in a later meeting.
To those who say it cannot be done, though: Never say die! Yes it CAN be done! If I can make it Downtown by bicycle in 38 degree slush, then a whole lot more people can make it Downtown when it's 68 and perfectly dry!
2011 follow-up to that 2008 comment: I have since added fenders to the bike and learned how not to get so covered in slop while riding in the snow. Anything can be learned. Nothing is an excuse.
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