Judge Judy

I know, I know, this is old news but it's still worth viewing.

Deerfield

Woke up this morning to a layer of heavy wet snow on the ground. There went the motivation right out the window. Finished up some projects I had started, cleaned the drive train on the XO1. And went and had the rear wheel re dished for my single speed.

By late afternoon the snow had melted and the roads had dried up. Wangpig had been in contact so I guess it was time to ride. He had time for a quick ride and so did I. So it was out the door I headed. He seemed to have a route in mind, one of these days I will learn to ask what he is thinking. We headed out towards Burton City and cut over to Burkhart. He said we were heading to Deerfield, and I thought to myself "cool, it's a pretty good ride south on Deerfield". We got there and he turned left............... OH &*%# he meant climb Deerfield! This is one of those hills that I usually leave till some time in June or July. Oh well once again I know that I must get out and do this one more often. At least he was kind enough to wait at the top and let me get a picture of the sign.

The Storm

Thursday night I put slick tires on one of the cross bikes, added some lights and did 30 miles on dry roads. Some of my normal night ride roads have taken quite a hit over the last couple of weeks. Lots of pot holes and frost heaves.

Friday mid morning the snow started. And didn't stop. It's been a good number of years since we have had decent snow to cross country ski. The thought of jumping on the rollers did not sound like fun so it was time to break out the skis.

I guess it's pretty bad out when you find yourself skiing down sidewalks and city streets. I bet some of my neighbors are still trying to figure out why there are ski tracks through their yards.

The car that was covered in ice a few days ago now looks like this.

Sunday morning and the storm had stopped. Clear blue skies, but the roads were a mess. I wanted to get at least one outside ride in this weekend. Out comes the mtb!

12 plus inches of snow made riding tricky but who can resist the idea of urban mountain biking. A couple of good friends, frozen sidewalk single track, drifts, slush, ice and mounds made by snow plows, who could ask for more.

I didn't set the computer or put on a heart rate monitor; this ride was strictly for fun. we were out about an hour and a half, just seeing what we could find to ride in.

I can't wait for spring but I would not have missed today's ride for any thing. Thanks Wangpig and Andrea.

Ice

Honest, I thought about riding outside today. The lights were charged and everything, but once again the weather was against me. Cold I can handle, rain I can handle but freezing rain just makes me want to stay inside. Another night on rollers. I'm starting to feel like a hamster on a wheel. Spin spin spin and you never get anywhere.

BUT on the other hand I did get a phone call from my older brother. He decided to brave the weather. After missing out on a lot of things last summer recovering from a motorcycle accident. The temptation was too great to resist. He bundled up got out his favorite dog Rascal and went kayaking in his neighbor's back yard. He had about a foot and a half of water and enough room to paddle around in circles. Kirk had a great time but Rascal was not amused.

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Artwork

Well, it took me about 2 years of serious debate to finally convince myself to do this. I told myself that I would do it after winning a race and after my finish in the Orrville Cross series I no longer had an excuse not to.