Mild Panic

Temperature at departure = 18° F (-8° C)

I approached my bike to get something out of the trunk bag yesterday afternoon and noticed that my rear blinky was GONE!  I had it clipped to the back of the bag and should have known better.  

I have to admit that I had a sinking feeling knowing that I'd be riding home in the dark without the blinky.  Sure, I had my reflective jacket and ankle straps ... but I was worried.  A co-worker came to my rescue.  During his lunch hour, he made a trip to Wal-Mart and, knowing the predicament I was in, bought me a little stick-on triangle with LED lights that flash.  The think is advertised as something that could be stuck to the back of your helmet or bike seat.  No way it would fit on either in my case, so I stuck it to the back of my little under the seat gadget bag.  It is just far enough above the trunk bag as to be visible.

I think it did more for my piece of mind than it actually did as an attention getter, but what a nice gesture.  

So, this morning I kept my eyes peeled but never saw my blinky.  I may make another sweep during lunch but am resigned to the fact that I now need to get a replacement for both the Mendota and Bucephalus.

Bike Hero

Temperature at departure = 41° F (5° C)

Forgive me if you've already seen this a hundred times...

Life Photos on Google

Disclaimer: I work for Google -- but I'm not associated with search, be it image or anything else.

Google is now hosting around 10 million photos from the LIFE photo archives. I went to the link and searched for bicycle and there are TONS. The above photo caught my eye and I thought it was someone talking on a cell phone. Um, since the photo is from 1949 I'm going to rule the whole cell phone thing out.

Anyway, give it a try. Lots of old celebrity/bike photos, like Rita Hayworth, Eartha Kitt, Bob Hope and more...

Crisp

Temperature at departure = 25° F (-4° C)

Perhaps it never happens to you.  The daily ride is always fresh and never routine.  For me, it's been getting a little tough to get excited about the ride lately.  Oh, sure, there are lots of excuses -- lack of sleep due to doggie health issues, the end of marching band season meaning a change in the runs to school, blaa, blaa, blaa.  

I am happy to say that I've turned the corner and am having a blast again.  Why?  Baby, it's cold outside (and dark for the ride home).  The colder the temperatures, the more fun the ride seems to be.  This morning was the first ride of the season where I needed the balaclava.  Oh yeah!  We're probably still a month or so away from snow, but I'm really looking forward to getting the XYZ Bike out again to give the neighbors something to talk about.

Taken Aback

Temperature at departure = 38° F (3° C)

It was a crisp, clear morning and the bike ride in was going to be great.  When the temperatures drop, so does the use of the bike/hike path.  A couple miles into the ride I finally spotted a pedestrian walking a hunting dog off the leash and pretty far ahead of her.  I normally ring my bell about 3 times prior to saying "Good morning, coming up on your left."  Today I figured there would need to be some extra warning so the walker could get her dog under control.  Wrong.

After ringing 5 times without her head moving a fraction, I finally said my "Good morning, coming up on your left."  Her response was unsettling.  "I don't care."

It's true.  "You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!"  Wow, lukewarm is disturbing.

Worksman Bikes featured on NPR today

There was a really nice piece about the US's oldest existing bike maker, Workman Cycles, on NPR's Weekend Edition today. You'll find the article and audio HERE.

I've got to finish up some chores here in the kitchen and then make an excuse to get out and ride. Oh, that's right, I've got to return a couple things to the library...

In the event of an emergency...

...exits are located -- everywhere.

Hmmmm.  I wonder...

The Library of Congress has some wonderful old photos on flickr.  I know they run over a little bit, but I'm too tired to re-load them.

This one would have made a nice post for Veteran's Day.  

Have a nice weekend.

Temperature at departure = 48° F (9° C)

It's just a few sprinkles

Temperature at departure = 43° F (6° C)

Nice to see I'm not the only one feeling a bit blasé about bloggin' recently.

Sure, I suppose there's stuff to talk about; Daylight Saving Time, Deer rutting season, etc.  The fact is, I love riding this time of year.  Cooler temperatures mean fewer people on the path and more strange looks from drivers and the people at my office building.  Riding through the woods in the dark is a blast as well -- the old familiar path becomes an adventure again.  I seem to love not knowing what is making that crashing sound in the woods 5 to 10 yards to starboard...

Anyways, here are a few pix from the wet ride in today.

Puddle jumping.

Wet leaves mean slow down.

I could pick up the pace here ... a bit.

Progress.  No one at the bank drive-through seemed to think it odd that I was on two wheels.

Where's Warren?

Temperature at departure = 61° F (16° C)

Let's just chalk it up to the stuff of life; family, work, pets, etc.  Anyway, sorry I've been flying under the radar the last week or so.

I will try to sum up by saying that the autumn weather has been wonderful.  Yesterday circumstances realigned to allow me to ride the long route again (for one day).  Temperatures in the mid 60's, hardly anyone else out on the path (except a couple bobcats) and lots of fall colors to enjoy.

Speaking of the path, it is tough to see it in some places.  This is especially challenging when riding home in the dark.  Several times you just have to guess where the path is and hope you're right.  No problems so far this year...

I've been riding with my new trunk bag and will do my best to get a review up in the next day or so.  Cheers.