ice bike

Especially my front tire. I was pretty much riding on the rim, and I have no idea how I didn't notice. I must have been focusing too hard on the ice and the traffic.

When I parked my bike, both tires were covered in a thin layer of water/snow, through which the escaping air bubbled and hissed and mini-gurgled. It's a weird noise and when you hear it, it's obvious that it's not good.

When I went to pull out the front tube to patch it, I noticed that it wasn't 100% flat as I had thought. It was more like 75% flat, but seemed to be holding air at that point. I was curious about whether the sealant goop had somehow gooped up and sealed the leak, so I just pumped both the tires up instead of pulling it all apart.

The front one held. So, yippee!

The rear one apparently has a slow leak, but slow enough to let me ride home on it after another pre-departure pump.

I'll have to find and patch that leak tomorrow.

On the way home, about four blocks from work, I wobbled on some ice and fell down. A Schwann's truck that was approaching me slowed, and the driver hollered out the window, "Whoa dude, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks!" I answered.

"That ice is hard," he called.

"Yup."

At that point we both continued along our original trajectories.

Don't want to use them, but don't want them to go away

As winter approaches, I begin avoiding bike lanes because they tend to fill up with snow, slush, leaves, and other debris.

But I don't want to contribute to the notion or to any statistics about bike infrastructure not being used.

How to I reconcile these two conflicting desires?

snowy snowy snowy

I had planned on taking the bus home this evening since it had been snowing the whole blasted afternoon, but I got cold waiting at the bus stop with my bike, so I decided to pedal along the route to warm up, thinking a bus would soon catch up to me.

But no! I rode the whole way home!

At the 30th & Downing RTD station, I read the bus schedule and learned that the next bus was 25 minutes away. Decided to press on.

Going down California, around 29th, it was pretty awesome to see Downtown just slow fade in, and emerge out of the snow.

Tried to get on the Mall Bus at the 16th Street Mall, but the driver said over the speakers, "No bikes on the bus!" and opened the doors again for me to get back off.

I camped out in the elevator at the end of 16th street for a while to let my hands warm up.

But I made it all the way back. It was snowing, but it wasn't devilishly cold, or icy.

Although, once home, I did strip down and dive under the bed sheets the second I got in the door.

Wisdom from Old Schoolers

There was this free fitness magazine published in San Diego that I would pick up at the smoothie shop or the sandwich shop when I saw it or when I thought about it.  It usually focussed on 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, etc, but every once in a while there were some articles and interviews about and with cyclists.

An article in one issue talked about an old timer who used to race around New York and Nre Jersey.  I don't remember his name, but he was full of adages like, "Once you learn to rest while going up hill, then you'll be an effective cyclist." (Meditating on that quote lead me to change my jogging style.)

He also refused to wear synthetic materials and modern racing jerseys. In perfect contrast to fanatics today who are adamant about not letting cotton or wool be the layer against their skin, this guy said he always wore two long-sleeved cotton t-shirts. Once he sweat through the first one, then it would sweat through the second one. The layer against his skin was dry, and the outter layer kept him cool. He recommended this setup for both warm and cool weather.

I was thinking about him last night as I was riding home in mid-20 degree weather. I had been seeing people during the day walking around in huge winter coats, gloves and hats, and here I was, comfy and cozy in two long-sleeved t-shirts and a windbreaker.

This morning, I decided to test my fortitude and venture out with only one t-shirt and only one pair of socks.  I made it, but sure wasn't comfortable at the other end of my 8 mile commute.

The main point here, though, is that you don't need a ton of fancy equipment or clothing in order to ride, or even to ride through the winter. Just layer up a couple of cotton t-shirts, and get out there on the road.

First snow of the season.

First snow commute! It was like riding in a snow globe.

I gunned for ever puddle, because that's exactly why I put those fenders on.

I was impressed by how not-cold I was. I'm encouraged by this, and think that I might survive the winter commutes. The temperature was in the high 20s, and I was fairly warm in two long sleeve t-shirts, a windbreaker, and a balaclava.

It also makes me marvel at this machine, how perfect a means of transportation it is. The engine, me, has a pretty efficient cooling system. If I get cold, I pedal harder. If I get hot, I ease up.

And so I stay pretty comfortable, even in the wind and snow.

On the way home though, I passed a ninja in City Park. No lights, no helmet, no hands. Sitting straight up and wishing for disaster.

Folks, it's winter now. It's going to be dark pretty much all the time. I feel like my commute rides now only take place in Nearly Dark, Mostly Dark, and All Dark. If you're going to be a ninja (and you shouldn't, because it's dumb), then for crissake wear an ever-lovin' helmet.