Dealing with the weather

I finally have an excuse for owning two bikes: one stays on the trainer and keeps me from having to spend that entire minute or so taking it off or putting it on the trainer when the weather allows for outdoor riding.

And so far this has been a truly strange fall/winter. Last Wednesday I rode in mid-60s temps under a clear sky. Thursday was a bit cooler but still a great day to be outside on two wheels. Friday brought a screaming wind out of the NW that made me find excuses not to ride - I really hate having the front wheel jerked around by a quartering wind. Saturday was clear and cold, meaning a heavy jersey and a vest. Sunday was cold enough to graduate to a winter jacket and windfront bibs - but no face mask. Yet. But I was amazed to see a steady stream of riders past the farm around 11 a.m. I'm guessing it was an event of some sort, the riders seemed a notch above duffers and all the bikes were in the range of a month's salary.

Yesterday was dark and wet, heavy mist/drizzle most of the day. Enough to keep me inside but not enough to relieve the drought.

Today is warm and sunny. I guess I'll try to abandon the office early. Otherwise it will be an hour on the trainer while watching Family Guy reruns.

Actually, Saturday I did a new route that takes in a few miles on a gravel road. I did this on the second bike with new, cross-style tires. Very enjoyable. The cross bike is on the trainer. Which I suppose gives me a reason for a third bike: one built only for the trainer. That leaves the cross bike and the road bike ready in case the weather allows a ride.

Yeah, that's it.