So much for riding in January!

Well maybe I can ride tomorrow after it finishes melting all this stuff off the trail.
(photo from a friend of mine, who walked this portion of the ride using ice creepers on his shoes and studded tires on his bike.)

2012 New Year's Resolutions

Looking back at 2011 I did at least ride more than the year before, which was one of my resolutions. In 2010, I rode 141 times to just crest 4K miles commuting. In 2011, I had an accident in February ripping my glove and my hand. That plus a vacation and I didn't ride at all that month so I figured it was already over. But by just keeping at it, I managed to ride 166 times in 2011, which is 5.2K miles. It's not exact as I'm not using a GPS or cycle computer and there is some variance in my daily commute so I don't get bored but it's close enough.

In 2012, I'm shooting for 6K miles. It may not be achievable. I have a lot on my plate in 2012 but it's good to have goals, and it is possible with even riding every day. And riding every work day is impossible for me.

I also resolve to remember that each day is a gift and not to be tossed away lightly. One never knows what's coming next. To that end I will continue to spread cheer to everyone I meet. Because the more joy you spread around the better you feel.

Anyway see you out there on the road! Ride safe!

Lost in space needle (in the fog!)

Another foggy day ride into work. This is from the 15th. It's been foggy most mornings on the ride in. However the weather is changing back to rain, so no more fog for a while.

A freezing fog ride to work

Friday there was a thermal inversion here in Seattle. When I left home the roads were wet, and the cars covered with dew. By the time I got to Seattle, which is about 500ft lower in elevation, everything was covered in frost. Fortunately, no black ice.

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More Tree Sweaters in Occidental Park.

Rode by Occidental Park the next week and saw more trees with sweaters! Talk about a tree hugging city!

And to think that I saw it off main street!

Some days you see something that makes you pull over and go, "did I just see what I think I saw?" Well Friday was one of those days. Riding up 4th Ave in Seattle I spotted trees with "sweaters." They look like they came out of a Dr. Seuss book so I rode back and took some photos. Pretty cool actually and the light was almost perfect, low angle and right on the trees themselves.

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K-Edge Chain Catcher Shift saver review

Every once in a while I buy something that is totally worth it. This gizmo is worth it. It was a small bit of work to install, you need to remove the shift cable, then unbolt the front deraileur cage, then using the bolt they give you and this bit of metal re-assemble it so that the metal just clears everything on the inside of your chain rings. Then reset the shift cable and test it. With a small amount of finaglling and that I put my shift cage back in alignment I got it to work.