Snow

Yes I rode to work today.

But, first I took my Yaris in to be serviced.

I've joked about getting a bumper sticker made saying: My Other Scooter is a Yaris. It was simply a routine maintenance trip and didn't take long. Even though I'd scheduled it a couple of weeks ago I couldn't get a real early time. I'd been upset, but know with an unsettled weather situation I was grateful for the late appointment time.

I'd hope the weather would clarify while I was doing this chore and it did...sort of. It became clear we were right on the edge of whatever was going to happen. Happily the freezing drizzle was replaced with just plain drizzle and the worse case scenario was the possibility of scattered snow showers. With the ground still right at freezing, the air temperatures above freezing, and all the roads I'd be riding treated with chemicals to melt any ice, I figured I was good to go.

When I got to work the other year around rider was there. I was curious about his leaving his helmet locked to the bike. With drizzle probable I guess he was banking on getting out before it rolled in.

When it became time for me to leave it had already started to snow.

The Deputy's bike was gone. I hope he got out before the snow began. If not he got one very wet and cold head. There was nothing scattered about the snow. It was steady and it was wet.

Still the temperature was above freezing and as I prepared to leave the parking area none of the snow was sticking to the ground.

I had a great ride home. While I was in the midst of the falling snow the road conditions were no worse than a light summer rain. By the time I got home the snow was beginning to stick on elevated surfaces, on the cars, on the trees, and on the bushes.

It was really trying to look like Winter, but those of us who know Winter weren't fooled...at least, not yet.

• 35F/2C and overcast for my ride to work around noon.
• 34F/1C with snow for the home ride.

Eerie

Yes, I rode to work today.

And, it was a grayish winter feeling day. Still no snow. There is a chance for freezing drizzle tomorrow. I'm taking my car in to be serviced in the morning and going into work late, by then the weather should have clarified itself.  I made this appointment a couple of weeks ago not having a clue what the weather was going to be, but well aware of how slow things tend to be at the Courts between Christmas and New Years. Now, it appears this random action may result in another ride day.

It seems it is slow elsewhere beside the Courts. On my ride in this morning there was hardly any traffic, no joggers, or even people out walking their dogs. The bus stops were empty. It was almost eerie.

• 28F/-2C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 33F/1C and mostly cloudy for the home ride.

A Bonus Riding Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

0700CST

I was suppose to wake up to snow this morning. Obviously it didn't happen. The snow stayed to the east and south of us. I was so not planning on riding today, I needed to leave out early so I could put gasoline in Billie. After I got gas, I made it back to the cafe for a little Heather time and to take the first day of the work week photo. I suppose it would have been simpler if I had taken the new scooter. It had a full tank and was ready to go, but I do I love having the kickstart backup even on days like today when it wasn't really all that cold.

Yes, today was definitely a bonus riding day. I'm grateful for it, but we really could have used the snow.

• 30F/-1C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 30F/-1C and overcast for the home ride.

Breezy

Yes, I rode to work today.

The winds had lessen to what the National Weather Service called "Breezy". I thought I might get my first rideof the year in the "teens", but it stayed warmer than predicted. However, the nice "cool" breeze seemed to curtail the number of joggers I saw this morning. Of course, with it being the Holiday Season, perhaps it was simply they were running on another schedule.

You all be safe and unless life laughs at my plans I will be back next Wednesday.

• 24F/-4C (windchill of 9F/-13C) fair and breezy for the ride to work.
• 32F/0C, clear and relatively calm for the home ride.

An Ill Wind

Yes, I rode to work today.

Snow was in the forecast but I was much more concerned about the wind.

It was 56F/13C when I left the cafe. I knew the temperature was going to drop rapidly as the day went on.

As often happens when fronts move rapidly into the area the sky was putting on quite the show.

The clouds were moving, churning, and showing every shade of gray imaginable. There were even patches of blue.

By lunchtime it had turned into a rather unpleasant day.

A co-worker told me it was sleeting outside. It wasn't sleeting, it was raining slush. The temperatures were still well above freezing. It wasn't dangerous. It was just ugly. And, the wind was picking up.

One of the reasons I travel the route I do is the protection from the wind the buildings provide. I am particularly protected from those occasionally vicious west winds like were being forecast for today. The Wind Advisory was particularly warning traffic moving north and south. And, while the gusts were going to be over 40kts, I knew I would be shielded. Ironically, I was most worried about Billie, my Symba, being blown over in the parking area. Billie has always done quite well in the wind, but when my leaning her into the wind and my 200lbs/90kg is missing from her saddle she has proven vulnerable to tipping over. And, I was right to be worried.

Around noontime, I got a call from another co-worker telling me she'd blown over. He picked her up and told me she didn't look in too bad of shape. I went over and checked her out. She started up, and other than the headlight casing being dented and needing to reposition a mirror and a handguard she seemed no worse for wear. Still, it seemed like it might be a good idea to see about leaving early. I have plenty of vacation time and with my Supervisors approval I shut down at 1350CST.

Billie was still upright when I got back to her. I'd aimed her into the wind instead of following the customary direction of parking. I suspect I should have done this when I got there in the morning. It wasn't like I was putting anybody else out.

Truthfully, the ride home wasn't all that unusual. Yes, it was raining slush, but my gear worked fine. I stayed dry and if anything I was a little on the toasty side. And, my CKX DOT approved snowmobile helmet didn't fog up even a little. Inside my gear it could have been Key West.

• 56F/13C and mostly cloudy for the ride to work.
• 34F/1C with raining slush and sustained winds of 29kts. gusting up to 42kts for the home ride.

We'll See

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today it was back to being mostly gray. There was a dampness in the air which made it feel colder than it was. It was one of those days where even though the temperature was ten degrees Fahrenheit  warmer at lunchtime than during the morning ride time it felt colder.

I debated on whether to leave the base layer off for the ride home, but remembering the chill in the air at lunch I didn't. I should have left it off. I was a tad bit over warm on the home ride.

Tomorrow could be rather interesting. The National Weather Service Map has everything from Blizzard warnings to Tornado warnings with wind warnings and advisories as well. I don't think I've ever seen the map so colorful. There are eight different colors on it.

Will I be riding to work tomorrow? We'll see.

• 34F/1C and overcast with haze for the ride to work.
• 45F/7C with a light drizzle for the home ride.

Still

Yes, I rode to work today.

And, it was a lovely day to ride. Yesterday was gray and dreary. Today was crisp and clear.

The Civil Courts Building.

Oh, how I would have liked to just keep riding this morning. I need a long lone ride. I need to find my silence after the events of last week. There are too many words in the air. Talk. Talk. Talk. I'm a listener. I can't hear over all the words.

Yes, I need to ride into the heart of the great sadness I'm feeling...and, I don't have a clue when I will be able to make that happen. There is work. There is the Christmas thing. There is my beloved daughter coming into town for a visit. There are trails Heather and I need to walk. I'm not complaining. All these things..they are blessings.

Still...I am off balance.

Still...my heart is breaking.

Still...I need to be...

Still.

• 35F/2C and clear for the ride to work.
• 56F/13C with maybe a cloud or two for the home ride.