Flurries In The Forecast

Nope, I didn't ride to work today.

There were snow flurries in the forecast. As I read the Forecast Discussion Page on the National Weather Service site it seemed to me conditions were ripe for a surprise. Since I don't like surprises I decided I would drive.

Early in the afternoon it began to snow.

By mid-afternoon it was trying to look wintry.

Later the temperatures began to tumble and the conditions became perfect for black ice to develop.

I think it caught the street and grounds folk by surprise.

When it was time for me to leave the Courthouse for the evening the snow had stopped, but a flurry of a different kind, a flurry of activity, was underway.

The salt trucks were out and the maintenance people were spreading melt-em stuff on the sidewalks. The wind was picking up and blowing what little snow we received over the streets causing even more glazing.

General Grant watched it all from his place by City Hall.

Me? I walked mindfully off into the sunset.

I don't suspect I will ride tomorrow either. Oh well, it's about time the season gave me a reason to drive.

The Streak Ends

Nope, I didn't ride to work today.

The last time I didn't ride to work because of the weather was 14 February 2012. Today was the first time I drove my car to work in nearly a year.

The temperature dropped 7degF just in the time it took me to drive to work. This was pretty much all the sun we saw. I parked in the employee parking lot which means...

I enjoyed a nice five block walk in the rain.

It was 53F/12C when I left for work this morning. It was spitting some snow flakes and 31F/-1C when I got home.

The streak well might have continued if Billie was available. She's still waiting for Mike and me to get our acts together and get her tube and tire changed out. That said, I was concerned with snow possible and with the falling temperatures the road crews might be out with the chemicals today. Unlike Billie, Isabelle isn't sprayed down with Boeshield T-9. The chemicals they spray on the road to keep them free of ice are extremely corrosive. I didn't wish to risk riding Isabelle in such a caustic soup. Also, the wind was supposed to pick up, which it did, gusting up to and over 35kt.

Even though there wasn't any ice or snow on the roads today, it still seemed a pretty good day to drive rather than ride.

And, It Did

Yes, I rode to work today.

The day was overcast.



During the afternoon I kept checking the National Weather Service radar. I was watching a line of storms slowing moving toward St. Louis. By four o'clock it became obvious the front was going to arrive just as it was time for me to depart work.

And, it did.

Fortunately, it wasn't windy, nor was there much thunder and lightning. I was riding Isabelle, my Kymco People 250S, and with her front and rear disc brakes she is probably a better bike for nights like this. Billie has drum brakes and isn't quite as well balanced as Isabelle.

Tonight was a very good test for my Firstgear pants. The first year I owned them they did well in the rain. Last season they began to leak. I re-waterproofed them according to direction from their customer service people. I was hopeful. Alas, they failed. They didn't fail terribly, nonetheless they failed and I had a wet bottom by the time I got home. Oh well, time to move on. Fortunately, the pants I wear when it is cold have so far proved waterproof. 

Tomorrow is looking like a drive day. Things can shift around very quickly here in the Midwest.

• 66F/19C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 58F/14C with heavy rain and a thunderstorm or two for the home ride.

Warm

Yes, I rode to work today.

0700CST

Isabelle was the ride of the day. Billie still is waiting on an ordered inner tube.

Needless to say with today's temperatures I wasn't the only one riding.  Tomorrow it is supposed to be warm again, but storms are a definite possibility. By Wednesday the temperatures will drop and we may even see some snow.

• 60F/16C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 71F/22C with some clouds for the home ride.

It Didn't

Yes, I rode to work today.

And, it didn't rain, snow, or sleet. Although I'd planned for the possibility of some drizzle or rain, I must admit I expected it to play out the way it did. I suspected the forecasters at the National Weather Service were going to be very cautious after the earlier in the week "Oops".

This is the view out the window of the office I work in at the Civil Courthouse,

The only accumulations today were of the melting agent the good folks from building and grounds put down on the sidewalks and steps. It seems they were rather enthusiastic in their application.There were piles of the stuff all over.

I think I need to clear something up. I'm very careful when it comes to ice and snow. I don't believe two wheels and ice go together at all. I know there are some who put studs in their tires and ride year around in places I'd want at least three wheels on the ground. That's not something that interests me. But, with the new chemicals and the strategy employed in recent years of getting ahead of the snow, there are safe riding days now that would have been stay at home days in the past. 

The downside is, all these chemicals are difficult on machinery and in particular scooters and motorcycles. I've coated Billie with Boeshield T-9 to try and protect her. My friend Maggie didn't ride today because of all the caustic stuff on the road. She won't subject her scooter to this abuse. Me? I have made other choices, but I understand hers.

To sum things up: Today began gray, but ended up sunny and warm. It was a great day to ride.

Have a wonderful weekend!

• 28F/-2C and gray for the ride to work.
• 41F/5C and a little cloudy for the home ride.

Stayed Tuned

Yes, I rode to work today.

There is a possibility of some freezing rain tonight. The trucks were out during the day spraying the roads. By time for me to ride home the chemical had dried leaving an easy to read trail on the road surface. It was very obvious what streets had been treated with chemicals and which ones hadn't. On my way home I spent some time exploring and making sure I had a route planned made up of all treated streets.

After work as I was starting Billie, my Symba, I noticed the sky to the West was filled with some interesting pinkish clouds. A moment later the sky turned orange.

I took the above photo before I left the parking area. By the time the sunset turned dramatic I was on the road and couldn't stop. Luckily my friend Ashly sent me a photo she took and is letting me post it here.

Heather, too, sent me a photo she took looking out her office windows.

Yes, there are a lot of churches in St. Louis.

Today was a dry day, but tonight it appears there may be some freezing drizzle. There is a possibility of a light glaze forming on untreated surfaces, hence my scouting out a route with this in mind.

I'm very careful when it comes to ice. If the forecast plays out as suspected because of the treatment on the roads I will probably be able to ride. Billie is sprayed down with Boeshield T-9 to give her some protection from the spray and salt. With an expected high tomorrow of 46F, the ride home should be as delightful as the morning ride could be dismal. Stay tuned.

• 16F/-9C and mostly cloudy for the ride to work.
• 25F/-4 and just the right amount of clouds to make an awesome sunset for the home ride.

Clear and Dry

Yes, I rode to work today.

The roads were clear and dry.

And, it was a little warmer for the ride in than I'd expected.

At lunch I watched some workers tearing down the big Christmas Tree in Kiener Plaza.

I didn't know the the tree was made up of a bunch of smaller trees. I'd thought it was just one big tree.

Also, during lunchtime I noticed the scaffolding is down from around the Old Courthouse.

I still haven't visited this landmark. Who knows, maybe I'll get around to it this summer.

As I was leaving work the moon was hanging in the eastern sky.

But, you can tell from the light the days are definitely getting longer.

• 17F/-8C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 38F/3C with even fewer clouds for the home ride.