Week 62, an hypothesis, and a random note

Summary

Week 62
Monday - Car (AM carpool)
Tuesday - Car
Wednesday - Car & Bicycle (AM Carpool)
Thursday - Car & LRT
Friday - Car (AM & PM carpool)

Variety ruled my commute this week, which included a rare single occupant car trip to the office on Tuesday and a Thursday night sprint to catch the train at the Government Plaza LRT station. I usually get on at Nicollet Mall but saw the light rail leaving right as I stepped outside, so I raced along 5th Street, gained a few steps as it stopped for a red light, and dove into the last car before the doors slid shut. My lungs burned for the next 10 minutes from sucking in that cold Minnesota air, but I was happy I didn't have to wait around another 15 minutes for the next train.

Hypothesis
Wednesday's bike ride home was a little chilly, and even got my eyes gelling up from the cold, making me wonder at what point they would just freeze solid. It must have been about five degrees on the way home, so my guess is that anything at zero or below would seal them shut, though I have no interest in testing this one out. If anybody knows differently, feel free to let me know.

Random note
Pati bought me a bathrobe this weekend. Having never owned one before, I was surprised at how much more adult like it makes me feel. I enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee this morning, basking in the new-found comfort and warmth of the bathrobe, and regretted not having a newspaper on my front porch that I could go pick up. Maybe I can work that out for June.

Snack

I get pretty hungry during my busy season work days, so I had an apple yesterday afternoon.



I even ate the seeds just to impress a co-worker. I'm so vain...

Weeks 59 - 61

Summary

Week 59 (Jan 4 - 8)
Mon-Wed Car (AM & PM Carpool)
Thursday - Car & LRT (Carpool)
Friday - Car (AM & PM Carpool)

Week 60 (Jan 11 - 15)
Mon- Car (AM & PM Carpool)
Tues-Friday - Car & LRT (AM Carpool)

Week 61 (Jan 18 - 22)
Monday - Bicycle
Tues-Thurs - Car & LRT (AM Carpool)
Friday - Bicycle

It took my quite a bit of effort to get myself back on the bike after taking a couple weeks off over Christmas break. The first week of busy season (Jan 11) was brutal, so I really never got into a rhythm where I could get things ready to go in the morning. Hopefully I'll build on the success of last week's two cycle commuting days. The re-freeze will be no match for my studded tires.

Weeks 57 & 58 and the next few months

Summary:

Week 57 (Dec 21 - 25)
Monday - Car (AM & PM Carpool)
Tuesday - Car (AM & PM Carpool)
Wednesday - Car & LRT (AM Carpool)
Thursday & Friday - Vacation/Holiday

Week 58 (Dec 28 - Jan 1)
Monday - Friday: Holiday shutdown

No bike commutes to log for the last entry of 2009, but I did ride into downtown on Christmas Eve day for last minute shopping. A ton of fresh snow made for slow going in spots, but I was able to manage by staying on the snow packed streets, which the studded tires handle effectively. It does ratchet the workout level up a notch or too though, which is just fine as it helps keep me warm.

With the end of 2009, I look forward to the beginning of a new calendar year and the start of another busy season. Here's a look at what I'll be riding in the months to come:



This bike replaces the bike I rode last year, and is equipped with the same Innova studs and Axiom rear rack. Unfortunately a formal christening was never performed and the red mountain bike ended its service to me nameless.

From what I recall, the finalists for the "Bike Name Bestowed Upon A Mountain Bike Performing Winter and Minimal Spring Commuting Duty in a Northern Midwestern City" Award were: Esau, Red, and Raleigh Valverde. I don't know what to expect from this year's ride since it was a pretty cheap Craigslist special, so I won't plan on holding any ceremonies anytime soon.