December snow

The week before Christmas, there was a light dusting of snow. It was also cold, so I put on the studded tires. They worked beautifully. I rode across several slick spots where the studs gripped the icy pavement and kept me upright. I was also pleasantly surprised at how fast I could go. I actually look forward to more snowy, icy days in the New Year.

Extremities

Extremities - It's not a word I often write, but it's one that I've been thinking a lot about lately on my commute to Pullman. I feel the cold most acutely on my toes, fingers, nose and cheeks. The early part of my ride is the coldest. I haven't warmed up yet, so I feel a chill all over my body. However, once I hit the trail, I can crouch low on my handlebars (aerobars). In this way, the wind no longer hits my face directly and my hands are free to move. I feel that welcome tingle in these extremities as warmth returns.

Keeping my toes warm has proven most elusive. I wear a thin pair of wool socks, a thick pair of wool socks over the thin pair, bike shoes (cleats) and finally neoprene booties over the shoes. The booties repel water and block the wind. My bike shoes are ideal for summer biking because they are ventilated, allowing air to pass freely over my feet. The booties block cold, winter air. Despite these many layers, however, my toes still get painfully cold. As I ride, I wiggle my toes in vain. When I arrive in my office, I pull off the booties and shoes and rub life back into my numb extremities. Perhaps a pair of insulated, winter bike shoes will make Santa's wish list for next Christmas.

Hoarfrost

This past week has been cold but clear. Temperatures in the morning have been in the low 20s, then it gets warmer during the day - up to the mid 30s. We had some fog over the weekend which produced the most beautful hoarfrost along the trail. This morning's ride was brisk but very picturesque. I've included a couple of pictures of the hoarfrost I saw this morning.

Last week on my way home to Moscow, I got a flat tire. Fortunately, I was just coming into Moscow when the tire went flat. I used my little hand-held pump that I carry with me to inflate the tire just enough to get me to a bus stop. I put the bike on the front of the bus, which dropped me off 2 blocks from home.

There is some really sharp gravel on the trail that is capable of piercing tires. I ride with block treads, which give me a smoother ride than I would have with heavier treads. I thought that my treads would do better against the gravel. It's entirely possible that I ran over something sharper and stronger than gravel. I just don't know. In any event, I wondered what I would do if I got a flat tire in the middle of the trail, at night and in the cold.