Well, December got right down to business.
So, too, did our Geezer Ride leader, who after checking the weather forecast for today pulled the ripcord on Sunday:
Monday is too wintry for me to ride and Tuesday may not be any better. In fact, we have entered the wintry season, which is too cold to plan bike rides. I don’t plan to send out any more emails until warm weather returns.
So it goes.
Anticipating a rideless Monday I made sure to saddle up yesterday, taking the Soma Double Cross out after lunch for a 90-minute sampler of roads, trails, and sandy washes. Even so, temps in the 40s had me sporting two long-sleeved jerseys, tights over bibs, wool socks, a tuque, and full-fingered gloves.
Only once did I feel slightly overdressed, while gutting it up a long, sandy grade leading to the Indian School trailhead. But then this is why God made zippers.
Right now, at 10 a.m., I’m looking at 36° with a brisk wind out of the northwest. I’ve set out and retrieved our trash and recycling bins, and I think that’s about it for the operation of human-powered wheeled vehicles today.
Mad Blog Media 
I managed to ride the Halfway to Sprouts to do some shopping. Otherwise, too cold.
Me, I went for a short trail run, reasoning that on the way out I’d have that bitter NW wind at my back, while coming home a line of houses to the west would block the worst of the headwind. Uniform of the day: ancient Paddygucci turtleneck and equally old North Face fleece vest, lightweight pants, tuque, and wool sox/gloves.
As usual this time of year, the hardest part is just getting out the damn’ door.
Oh the snow, the beautiful snow, filling the sky and earth below. Over the house tops and over the streets, over the heads of people you meet. Dancing, flirting, skimming along. Oh the snow, the beautiful snow, how the flakes gather and laugh as they go. Whirling about in their maddening fun it plays in its glee with everyone. Chasing, laughing, hurrying by, it lights on the face and sparkles the eye. And even the dogs with a bark and a bound, snap at the crystals that eddy around. The town is alive and its heart in a glow to welcome the coming of beautiful snow.
Bon Hiver Cicely! Say hello to the flakes!
(Video not available on your continent due to copyright limitations)
Ah, “Northern Exposure.” We may have to binge-watch that series again, for the umpty-umpth time.
Did you see ICE recently tried to snatch up Elaine Miles, a.k.a. Marilyn Whirlwind? True fact. Christ, but these fuckers are dim.