A Brief Update

Nope I haven't been riding.

It has been a very strange time.

I'm sure you've heard much about the events here over the last few days.

Monday was full of anxiety even before we knew the Grand Jury had reached its decision. I can only imagine what it was like in the County Courthouse.

I wasn't surprised by the decision of the Grand Jury. Nor was I surprised by the response. Perhaps by its magnitude, yes. By the violence and the fires, no.

There were demonstrations Downtown yesterday and today. Today's targeted City Hall. As I went to lunch I passed the demonstrators.

 
A co-worker took the above photo and the one which follows.

By the time I got back from lunch they had moved on.

And then it started to snow.

It was pretty messy for the drive home.

Although I've missed riding the past couple weeks, it has probably been for the best.

I suspect I'll be back on two wheels soon, and I do hope soon comes sooner rather than later.

Waiting

Nope, I didn't ride today.

And . . .

I'm still driving and walking from the parking lot.

It feels very strange to not be riding.

It is a very strange time here in other ways as well.

It is difficult to describe the atmosphere here. And I don't mean the weather. It is like a cloud of anxiety has descended on us. Waiting. We are waiting for the announcement of a Grand Jury's decision as to the police officer involved in the shooting in Ferguson. Will they find cause for the matter to be bound over for trial. Or, will they decide the case doesn't have merit.

Waiting. I'm waiting for my mechanic to be able to repair my bike. Others could do it, but I'll wait for Mike. I have the Kymco, but I'm less adventurous with it in coldish weather than I am with the Symba. It is strange times when I'm not riding with the temperatures above 20F/-7C and the clear.

Waiting.

• 22F/-5.5C and partly cloudy for my morning walk from the car.
• 34F/1C and the stars were out for my ride home.

Some Sad News

Nope, I didn't ride today.

And . . .

I suspect I would have if the Symba was available to me. It was chilly, but I have rode in colder. The roads are clear and dry unless there is a water main break or a patch of ice caused by a driver dumping out a no longer wanted beverage at a stop sign.

Some Sad News. The Deputy who rides the small Kymco scooter and wears a chrome helmet was injured in a fire at his home. I know no more than what has been reported in the newspaper here.

On a lighter note here is some more early evening color from my walk to the car.

The forecasters are saying it is going to warm up. I'm good with that!

• 14F/-10C and fair for my morning four block walk from the parking lot.
• 27F/3C and a bit breezy for my stroll from the Courthouse to my car.

Sparkle

Nope, I didn't ride to work today.

And . . .

Even if the Symba were 100%, I wouldn't have. We had our first snowfall of the season over the weekend. The streets were nearly completely clear. On my way in I noticed a couple of spots looked icy. Not worth the risk.

Tonight is supposed to be colder than last night.

I miss seeing the stars at night. The City lights blot them out. That said, I have to admit on a cold wintry evening it sure is nice to have the color and sparkle.

• 19F/-7C and fair for my morning constitutional.
• 22F/5.5C and breezy for my stroll from the Courthouse to my car.

Waiting

Nope I didn't ride to work today.

And . . .

I may wait until after Thanksgiving to get my tire repaired. There is a story there, not a big story, just a story. It is not my story to tell. The weather has the potential to be nasty next week and riding might not be an option anyway. On the way home I saw the trucks out spreading chemical-melt on the streets.

Tonight was as beautiful as some of the forecasters are saying tomorrow will be ugly.

I think the worse of it will be to the West and to the North of us. But, as always, we'll just have to wait and see.

• 20F/-7C for my morning constitutional.
• 31F/-0.5C for my evening stroll from the Courthouse to my car.

Caged Day 1

Nope I didn't ride to work today.

And . . .

I didn't like it.

At least it was a beautiful evening to walk to my car.

22F/-5.5C for my morning constitutional.
29F/-2C and a flake or two for my evening stroll.

Nail

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

I wasn't the only one.

It was me and and the Chieftain Rider.

Sadly, I won't be riding tomorrow.

Miss Billie picked this up in her rear tire a couple of miles from home. I don't think it punctured the tube, but  the bead came unseated. She was pretty wobbly. I pushed her home. Another advantage of riding a small bike. Still, I'm quite glad less than halfway was upgrade.

I suspect the Kymco would start after sitting out in before freezing temperatures all day, but ... I'm leaning against some history and would rather not risk it.

So, for at least tomorrow, and I suspect longer, I will be driving and making the walk from the parking lot.

• 30F/-1C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 31F/0.5C and I saw no stars on the way home.

Veterans Day 2014

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery:

Skywriting With Chalk

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

The contrails this morning looked as if someone was skywriting with chalk. I'm fascinated by contrails. These cool mornings seem to really bring them out.

I'm having a custom windscreen made at the same place where the Red Fox's windscreen came from. The weather is going to be changing later in the week. I doubt the new windscreen will be ready. I will miss it when the temperatures moves down to 20F/-7C.

Speaking of changes. In the lobby of the building across the street from the Courthouse they have replaced the white orchids with purple.

My first thought was, "My how Advent-tagious of them, even if a little early."

The Courthouse closes tomorrow in observance of Veteran's Day. The weather forecast is for rain and plummeting  temperatures. I'm still hoping to do my usual ride over to the National Cemetery, but we will see.

• 47F/8C and a few clouds for the ride in.
• 69F/20.5C and I'm told partly cloudy for my ride home in the dark.

Frost

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

I saw people scraping frost from their windshields for the first time this season. There was a pocket of frost near Tower Grove Park. I guess it is one of those "low lying areas".

The weekend is most welcome this week. It will be good to rest.

• 31F/0.5C clear and calm for the ride to work.
• 53F/12C and dark for the home ride.

A Great Relief

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was a great relief.

Because of the shift from Daylight Savings Time it isn't dark when I leave out in the morning.

Of course, that means I'm leaving work in the dark.

The big news weather wise today was the wind.

There were gusts well over 30 mph and Downtown the canyon effect made riding most interesting. The wind picked up all sorts of things and blew them to new homes here and there. Fortunately, the Red Fox was not one of them.

They're saying tonight will bring a definite chill.

• 48F/9C and partly cloudy for the ride to work.
• 48F/9C and a few clouds for the home ride.

Double Exposed

I was dismissed from jury duty today.

Way too much people stuff.

Tomorrow it will be back to work, back to thing stuff.

Hopefully, back to a life which feels less double exposed.