8 posts tagged “winter”
After surviving a colder and snowier than usual December, January 2008 is off to a mixed start. Last week began with piles of snow and then ice ruts from the two feet of snow that fell on New Year's Eve & Day. Friday was my coldest commute yet at 2 degrees F! Out of paranoia I actually over-layered and was too warm. By contrast it is 43 degrees F today (and, the streets are mostly melted clear).
I took the Christmas lights off the bike and stored them for next year. The days are getting a little longer, and we'll see how many days I can stay on the bike this winter. Last year the real snow didn't hit until Feb/March/April!
Playing in the snow & staying warm - the best of both worlds:
Inspired by this past Sunday, where the temperature reached a balmy 45°F, I resolved to brave the slush, salt and sand of the road and ride my bike to work. And even though it was a brisk 25°ish, I still had enough momentum to stick to the plan. And it wasn't too bad! So I wanted to keep it going for today. I assumed the weather would be about the same.
So, I woke up and checked the temperature: 14°F.
A tad colder than I had planned on.
Ok, we'll take a shower and see how much it warms up.
One shower later: 12°F
Hey, it's not supposed to get colder as the sun comes up!
I was torn. I had never ridden in something like 12°F, but certainly I've seen others doing it. How bad could it be?
Here's where the procrastination comes in: by putting off deciding until there is only one choice remaining, which in this case is the choice you kind of want but not as easy as taking the bus.
Before deciding, I think, I'll walk the dog. Hmm not too windy. Check windspeed. Check temperature again (12). Check temperature from weather station located on other side of town - 13.5° - a ha! Check weather station located near work - 12°. Hmmmmmm.
Make toast for breakfast. Eat breakfast. Check the various weather stations again - back up to 14° - not bad. No wind, so no wind chill. what was the wind chill yesterday? Look up yesterday's wind chill data. Hmm it was 25° but 14° with the windchill. So I should be fine. Probably.
Note the time and the fact that you will never make the bus now. Decision made! Wait an extra twenty minutes because I can get to work faster by bike than by bus. Check temp - 17°F no wind. Good to go!
(and it wasn't bad at all. so unless I wake up and it is 9° tomorrow I shouldn't have to go through this again!)
The snow from earlier this stuck around until the weekend, allowing for some sledding and some skating. Zoe did pretty well for her first time out on the ice. I didn't fall down, although it was close when a runaway dog ran right in front of me. The sun came out for a spirit-lifting day yesterday.
I can't believe it is almost February!
Here I am bundled up for my excursion outside tonight:
I guess we had to have winter sometime! It's easier to handle since it is almost February already.
This is the eighth picture in the 25 Pictures of Xmas series:
