A Problem Developed

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was another rainy morning.

As usual on rainy days there were just two of us in the parking area. You can see the rear of M's Kawasaki.

This is Market Street looking toward the Arch. This is the street one must cross to get from the Carnahan Courthouse to the Civil Courthouse. Lucky me, I have a desk in both.

By lunch the rain had stopped and the streets were dry. There was even some sun in the afternoon.

On the ride in this morning a problem developed. I have a dual lens visor on my helmet. It keeps the visor from fogging up and it worked great all last season and up until today. Sadly, it seems to have developed an air leak and is fogging between the lens.To say I'm bummed would be a classic understatement.

Oh well, I rode in the cold before I got this helmet with the fancy schmancy visor. I will do it again.

By the way, there is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for the area. My car just may get to go to work tomorrow.

• 42F/6C and light rain for the ride to work.
• 50F/10C, clear, and then dark by the time I got home.

Star Light, Star Bright . . .

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was brisk this morning, but the forecasters predicted a rapid warm up.And, they were right.

By lunchtime these folks didn't need their heavy jackets, but not only were they wearing them, but they have a sort of bundled up look about them don't you think?

It was still 52/11C when I left downtown afterwork. With some snow possible later in the week and with Goldilocks working late I was not about to let this evening pass me by.

The days are definitely lengthening. A few days ago when I crossed Hwy-40 it was dark.

I've noticed the last few nights the sunset has began teasing me. I'm still leaving too late to catch the show, but I can look longingly at the afterglow.

I needed something from the store. I only seem able to get this certain something from one big box store chain with any consistency. I could have gone to a location closer to home, but what fun would that be? And, besides if the closer location would have had it when I checked a few days ago I wouldn't still be on the hunt, right? Right.

Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight . . .

The location I went to didn't have what I was seeking either. I wish I may, I wish I might know just why is it so difficult to find unscented Right Guard anti-antiperspirant anyway?

• 27F/-3C and a few clouds for the ride to work
• 52F/11C when I left the Courthouse
• 44F/7C by the time I made it home.

107mpg

Yes, I rode to work today.

And yes, I was able to get a ride in over the weekend.  Sunday morning I rode over to Kirkwood in hunt of the Honey Whole Wheat Bagel. It was 30F/-1C and clear at 7am, but by late morning it had turned cloudy. Eventually, I wandered over to St.Charles to visit my son and his family. When I finally pulled in at home around 6pm it was dark and 41F/5C. I rode somewhere around 120mi and spent nearly four hours in the saddle. I did a mileage check. I got 107mpg. Since part of the ride to St.Charles is WOT, I must say I was very pleased.

The weather continues to be unseasonably warm. We usually have our coldest temperatures during the second week of January. Doesn't look like that will be the case this year, and if it is . . . it will truly be a mild winter.

• 28F/-2C and clear for the ride home.
• 48F/9C and I'm told there were a few clouds for the ride home. I couldn't see them. It was dark.

Four Day Work Weeks

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today it got to 70F/21C. I saw two sport bikes and one cruiser on the way to work. There were three of us in the lot today. And, I saw a couple of scooters on the way home. If this had been a Saturday there would have been lots of bikes out I'm sure. The forecast for tomorrow is for a high of 51F and plentiful sunshine. I suspect many will be riding.

I'm exhausted. Why is it that often four day work weeks are so draining? I know sometimes it has to do with needing to complete five days work in four, but I suspect there are other things that contribute to the phenomena. It just happens too often for it to be the work load alone. Whatever the reasons, for me this was one of those four day weeks. Goldilocks and I are going to grab a bite and then make it a very early night. Hopefully this weekend will be bring rest and rejuvenation.

And, a ride.

• 48F/9C and a very few clouds for the ride to work.
• 63F/17C and still dark when I got home.

A Record Setting Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

What temperature was it for my ride in? The National Weather Service said it was 38F/3C, while the Weather Channel said it was 31F/-.5C. Both agreed it was going to be quite warm come afternoon. The afternoon temperature exceeded the forecasters projections and reached 66F/19F. This is a new record for 5 January. The old record of 65F/18c was set in 1955.

As the sun was preparing to set in the west . . .

The moon was waiting its turn in the east.

• Not quite sure of the temperature for the ride to work.
• 59F/16C and it was still dark when I got home, but still pretty warm.

The First Morning

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was much warmer this morning than yesterday morning. Actually it was warmer for my ride to work this morning than it was for my ride home last night. But the real news of the day was . . . . this was the first morning I noticed the days are getting longer.

The sunrise was breaking out as I left the cafe this morning. I'd become use to it not beginning to bloom until three or four miles into my morning ride. I suspect it won't be long before the sun will once more be in my eyes.

Winter sunrises seem to be especially beautiful here. I wonder if there really is a quality to the weather that makes it so, or is it the longing for the return of the light and a hoped for spring? Or, then again, is it simply I'm around to see them?

• 38F/3C with enough clouds to make for a marvelous sunrise for the ride to work.
• 46F/8C and still dark for the ride home.

Me And Three Other Cars

Yes, I rode to work today.

Me and three other cars were passed on the right this morning by a police cruiser (#545). It was at the same place as my pre-Christmas encounter with Santa. He had no flashing lights on. If he was in a hurry passing us didn't do much for him. We were on Arsenal Street, a street of three way stops and stoplights--a street where even if you go 20mph over the limit when you can (which he did at least) you still end up at Grand Blvd at nearly the same time as those who keep closer to the posted speed limit. Since I was going straight and he was making a left turn, I ended up next to him at the light.

As I waited for the light to change I noticed he was looking at his cellphone. I didn't actually see him texting, but the way he was holding his phone certainly made me suspicious. I will admit his other driving behavior might have prejudiced me just a little.

I mentioned this episode to my friend Chris who responded, "Cops run two or three radios, a cell phone, and a laptop all while in their cars... hmmm."

It does make one think doesn't it? I'm not sure where this belief that humans can multitask came from. We can't. Some of us have hummingbird brains that are able to jump from one task to another and back without losing our place, but no one truly multitasks. And, whenever someone tells me they function better when they are multitasking I can't help but think of the folks who tell me they actually drive better after a few drinks.

• 17F/-8C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 35F/2C and still dark for the ride home.