Cheating Old Man Winter

We robbed another day from old man winter today. Our average high temperature for today is 36 and today we had over 63 when I got home from what can only be described as stealing a ride. The forecast was calling for this, so I used a half day vacation, and rode the Black Bear Ride. Before I headed out for the ride, I had the bike on the stand and noticed the chain making a lot of noise. The last ride I was on it was misting some rain and even though I lubricate regularly with I consider good lube, it must have picked up some fine sand. I cleaned, re lubed and headed out only to discover I put the link in from the opposite direction it should have been. There was a snapping noise every now and then. I stopped at .4 miles in and corrected what could be considered an "opportunity." Nice and smooth after the fix.
When I came by Black Bear Golf and Tennis, two friends of ours were just finishing. I had actually thought about golfing instead today and even with golfing coming to an end fast this year...I will not get golfing until spring...and the fact that I ride my bike year around, in my mind I made the right choice.

Some geese on Lake Nancy enjoying the nice weather also.

Circle of life. One dead oak and more little ones coming in.

Night ride

I left the house around 8 this evening and put an hour on the bicycle. It was a warm night. Even though I was a tad over dressed, my clothes were dry when I got home. I guess that's a sign I didn't work too hard it, so I have been told.
I could hear the geese, saw a couple deer and did not see one automobile on tonight's ride...sooo...another good one in the books just after the Beaver moon.

With the tamaracks winding down and starting to loose their needles, it is time for a story from CAD.


OK, here it goes...Once upon a time, during a terrible winter storm, Chickadee was injured. The little bird struggled through the blowing snow until he stood at the foot of the tall Tamarack.



"Please drop some of your lower branches to shelter me from the storm”, the Chickadee cried.



The Tamarack refused. "I did not grow beautiful green branches to break them off for you.”



So Chickadee, near death, went to the foot of the tall Red Pine.



"Please drop some of your lower branches to shelter me from the storm”, Chickadee cried.



Red Pine quickly dropped enough branches to shelter the little bird.



The Great Spirit saw what happened and said to Red Pine, "From this day you will always drop your lower branches to remind others that you paid a high price so a Chickadee could live."



The Great Spirit said to Tamarack, “Every autumn, your fine green needles will turn yellow and fall off. You will stand naked in the forest all winter, as a reminder that it is always better to be kind and merciful than it is to be vain and selfish."

With the temp around the 40 mark, I headed out for a nice 20 mile ride. I nailed the clothing, fought a good headwind and ended with a 3+ mile tail wind that was great. I put the headlight and taillight on preparing for the upcoming night rides...thanks to no daylight saving time. I also switched the pedals to a set of Shimano M324's, which have the clipless on one side and platform on the other. That will give me the option of not wearing the bike shoes. I cannot remember the last time I rode as slow as I did today. It was just a nice day to putt around on the bicycle.

It was Janice's birthday today so that called for a big ol B-Day dinner with the family. Yes, I did eat too much and to make matters worse, no exercise tonight. We did get some good family news this evening that we will share at a later date.

Taking Advantage

It was a very nice evening with the temp at 57 degrees...and with daylight savings time around the corner...you have to take advantage. I rode the Little Circle this evening. After the ride, I recovered with TOAST...Although this toast was made from Raisin bread that was purchased. I had loaded this before and had a request to put it on again. So, hopefully it all works.

I loaded this from You Tube. It is a Heywood Banks ditty, although this is not him.

Another Good 1

It was a nice evening for a ride despite a little mist now and then. The rain lately has begun to get old, as we have gotten 8 inches in the last two weeks...BUT...we need it, so bring it on. So a person has to dress a little different. Big deal.

The last few rides, the toe's would get a little chilled even with the toe covers. So, tonight was the first ride this fall using the neoprene booties. I had forgotten how heavy they are, but the feet were warm. Can't help myself, so more Tamarack pictures this time. Maybe we can get the sharing Tamarack story out of CAD.

It was the fixed again this evening.