Lord, it was a beautiful day to ride the bike.
I was actually overdressed for a change — three long-sleeved jerseys, a light Pearl Izumi jacket with winter gloves, heavy Descente winter bib tights, wool socks, Sidis with Castelli booties, tuque under the helmet — and while I was glad for all that during my descent of Tramway, when I turned around and started climbing I began wishing that I’d clipped some panniers full of lighter-weight kit to the Salsa Marrakesh’s rear rack.
Instead, I stuffed the jacket into a jersey pocket and enjoyed the unexpected warmth.
The temps had risen to the low 40s by the time I returned to my heavily fortified compound, which I had left in the capable paws of Field Marshal Turkish von Turkenstein (commander, 1st Feline Home Defense Regiment).
The Turk’ reports that the most immediate threat to the security of El Rancho Pendejo comes not from Y’all-Qaeda, but rather from the skies. The weather wizards are calling for light snow through Friday.
Maybe we should ask the Weather Underground to occupy the Weather Underground.
Mad Blog Media 
Good for you! Meanwhile, 41 and raining steadily here in Sierra Vista. No riding today, and we have rain chances, some high, until Friday. But I just watched (streaming) the first episode of Downton Abbey, Season 6. It was up to their high standard.
Where’d our desert paradises go? Thanks, Obama!
Yesterday was the day to ride up here Santa Fe way. Joined a group ride in town. Due to my not paying attention to the pre-ride instructions a couple wrong turns added a little more mileage to the tour. (There’s something to be said for just doing the same loops over and over come winter season. Less thought involved.) But I eventually caught on to the back end of the gang and finished my first ride of 2016.
Today we had a sunrise temperature of 13 freaking degrees, only rising to 25 by 11:00 AM. So I defaulted to the trainer for 80 minutes of mindless entertainment. Looks like it’ll be either more of that or a couple runs the rest of the week.
I’ve been easing back on the running since tweaking my back, but I may have to get back after it. But I have all these friggin’ bikes to review. Choices, choices. …
Maybe I can combine them all into one giant article whining about how sucky it is to tour in the snow. Y’think? Naw. Y’think?
It’s OK to tour in the snow if you are riding downhill out of it. As far as riding up into the snow on purpose, I don’t get it. I guess I am getting old, and I try to avoid dressing like the Michelin man.
It was nice in Santa Barbara yesterday, perfect for a final ride on Mountain Drive http://cycleitalia.blogspot.com/2016/01/happy-new-year-2016.html before giving the bikes a quick bath and packing ’em up. With the forecast deluge in LA I almost didn’t bring the bike down with me but with no clouds in sight I threw it in the back of the car and blasted down PCH, stopping for some fish and shrimp tacos at Neptune’s Net along the way. Still no rain after pizza tonight at Mario Batali’s MOZZA. I brought a raincoat so I’m ready for cycling or avoiding getting wet while I’m down here. Tomorrow’s the Petersen Automotive Museum either way.
Ever cook any of Mario’s recipes, Larry? I have a huge cookbook of his, “Molto Italiano,” but I’ve rarely done anything with it.
We’ve played around with some of Batali’s recipes from the big orange book (can’t remember the name) and one other, both gifts rather than purchases. We find them a bit too “cute” with odd treatments meant to put Mario’s special touch (understandable) on the dish rather than the more traditional, rustic cooking we enjoy at home, whether in the US or Italy. Our two faves remain the first books from Nick Stellino and Biba Caggiano respectively.
Pissin’ down rain here in north Lost Angles and due to stay that way all day and into tomorrow. Gotta be headed your way Patrick.
No doubt, David. The forecast looks a tad repetitive for the nonce: showers likely, chance snow showers, snow showers, slight chance rain/snow, etc.
That Al Niño feller is having his way with us. Maybe we should let Trump build his wall.
I blame it on the Bubbaharam assholes, including Captain Salami, up there in Oregon.