A storm rolled through today dumping six inches of snow and white out conditions most of the day. There was a 40 car pile-up on the local highway.
I made a pot of chili and will spend the next couple days going through this blog and tightening it up. I will update tags and the blog roll. We’ve lost a couple blogs like 700X23.
This weather is a minor set back. Spring will be here soon.
I found a cartoon that reminds of my ride yesterday and the falling down.
There is supposed to be a big storm tonight so I wanted to get on the bike today. I was busy most of the day but after the wife went to work at four, I gathered my stuff on got on.
It had been in the mid-fifties earlier in the day but had dropped down to 47°F by the time I got myself out the door. There was a light wind and the sky was gray. I had no plan, just the idea to ride ten or so miles. My legs protested but felt pretty good after a few miles.
I love old barns. I have to stop and take a picture.
When I got about five miles from home my sister called and I never ignore her phone calls. I pulled over to answer, stopped the bike and forgot to remove one of my feet from the clip and fell over. I got up, picked up the bike and answered the phone. After a funny ten minute conversation about one of my many brothers I hopped back on the bike, gave a mighty downward thrust on the pedal and found that the chain had come off the ring and I fell again. This time I put a few things out of whack, mostly the seat. Luckily I had just had a maintenance course at the bike shop and more importantly I remembered a video I had seen on saddle adjustment. I wonder why it stuck so well in my mind?
I made it home and overall I’m very happy. It was a nice ride and I ended up going 16.3 miles. Good things will happen this year.
It got up to 53°F today with a lot of wind. I couldn’t get on the bike due to family obligations. It looks good for tomorrow. Then this showed up in my inbox:
Now this is getting old. By the way, I live on the border between red and blue.
It is still winter out there with a new layer of snow on the ground. It’s looking much better for the coming week as temperatures above forty are predicted for four of the next seven days.
Another blizzard and the roads covered in thick layers of ice. Spring is around the corner and temperatures in the forties are predicted for the coming week. Soon I will be on the bike.
Sitting on the couch today playing the guitar and a little banjo. Nothing new to report. It hit a high of 19°F today and that is a bit chilly for me. Plus the roads aren’t good yet. It will be riding season soon.
I had a great time at the Chili Wiener. I thought I may be able to ride every day after that. I was wrong.
That night we had a blizzard that left a thick blanket of snow that is still on the ground. Yesterday we had a high of 7°F. I have faith that someday Spring will come.
Today I took my bike to Swerve Bike Shop in Oberlin, Ohio for a one on one bike maintenance class with Joe. He hit stuff like fixing a flat, adjusting the derailleurs, adjusting brakes, lubrication, etc. It was money well spent. I plan to spend a lot of time in the saddle this year and this will allow me to do so with a lot less trouble. If you live anywhere close to Oberlin, Swerve is the bike shop for you.
I got up this morning with the plan to go to the meal after the ride since it had been so nasty. Then I walked outside and instead of it being 18°F with a bitter wind it was sunny and close to 30°F. I put on my bib shorts, insulated jersey, tights and shoe covers and out the door I went.
I got to Oberlin just in time for the ride and introduced myself. The fast riders were just taking off and I joined a group that was going a bit slower. I was surprised at how easy it was to ride. We headed east to create a large square. I was able to keep up and the only problems were a couple of hills. I had to barrel down one side and barely made it up the other. I’m sure it would be easier if I was a bit lighter.
The roads were clear and dry but there was still a lot of snow along the sides.
It wasn’t until mile ten that I felt like my old self. My legs felt light and strong. I ended up riding 16.5 miles.
We got back to Oberlin and found a feast of chili and wieners. I had a great bowl of chili and some cornbread and the world felt right. I joined The Silver Wheels Bike Club and met a lot of people. This will be good for me.
Here are the stats:
I was so comfortable that I know I can ride from now on. As long as the roads are dry I’m fine.
Here are a few more pics, mostly to show the character of the area around here.
Played poker until 3am. It was -1°F with winds whipping around. It felt like acid hitting any exposed skin. I find it hard to believe that I used to work outside in this kind of weather.
Getting back to cycling.
There is a local group of cyclists that I follow called The Long Distance Cyclists of Cleveland. These guys put on serious miles and my goal eventually is to be worthy of their group. These guy ride all the time in horrible weather and their motto is: “No Whining, No Cheating, No Drugs, No Motorized Vehicles, and No Abusing the Organizer”
I was sure they would be out in force this weekend. Here is what they posted on their blog today:
The road conditions don’t looks so good this morning. There was also a lot of blowing snow yesterday. With the temperatures as low as they are, I’m not sure if the roads will be clear by Saturday morning. I noticed that some intersections are really messy. In the interest of safety I think the ride should be cancelled. What are your thoughts?
Ha. Looking grim for tomorrow. Worst case scenario, I go to the group, we have some chili and I meet some nice people. We’ll see.
Now, here is a random picture of a kitten for no particular reason.
I got up this morning to find another layer of fresh snow. It’s currently 10ºF and look what the next ten days look like!
At least Saturday has upgraded to 29 degrees.
Just to show how messed up Ohio is; Two years ago my brother Terry was dying. It was the first week of January and I took him to my favorite beach on the south shore of Lake Erie. It was 70ºF. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the breeze was cool blowing off the cold water of Lake Erie.
Can you tell I can’t wait for Spring?
Chubby For Life? 