Well, It IS Minnesota

I got kind of a late start today. I didn’t want to get out from under the covers because the house was cold. Last night it got down to 34-degrees (F) outside and the wind seemed to be blowing that air through our windows. I did get up though, and I turned the thermostat up a few degrees. I drank my usual three cups of coffee, I took Diggity for a walk, I did a few errands for The Feeshko who is still in recovery from her knee surgery, and I took my car in for an oil change.

Then, and only then, did I get out for my bike ride. I knew it would probably be a short one because I saw some dark clouds moving in. I dressed appropriately for the imminent rain. Also for the cold. I wore my wool cap, gloves, and three layers over my torso. (And yes, Old Grumbleface, I still stubbornly wore shorts. After all, I have a reputation to maintain. Long shorts, though, not my normal short shorts. HA!)

It was up to 39-degrees when I started. Within a block it started raining along with little hints of snow. A couple blocks later . . .

It’s okay. Fifteen minutes later that sleet turned to a regular cold rain and I was able to make it to the post office and back.

16 response to "Well, It IS Minnesota"

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      It IS known. I hope all is going well in Virginia.

  1. By: Lednar De Nalloh Posted: October 16, 2020

    Winter must start early in Minnesota. Go across to Wisconsin and have a beer where it will be sunny with tropical warmth.

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      Wisconsin has all the tropical warmth of a crocodile, a pit viper, or a swampy pool full of piranhas. But they do have beer — lots and lots of cheap, flavorless beer.

  2. By: Scooter Posted: October 16, 2020

    You’re making us feel like wimps, agree. We were shivering when we got in from the rain yesterday and it was only the low 50’s. Not ready for winter yet, thank you.

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      I must say, I didn’t get wet at all except on my legs which are impervious to any temperature above freezing. But then, I didn’t ride your minimum of 42 miles. I only rode about FIVE wimpy miles.

  3. By: Laura Posted: October 17, 2020

    I have a very difficult time throwing a leg over a cold, cold bike. Maybe my problem is I don’t drink coffee before I try it.

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      No coffee? I think you identified the problem yourself. Coffee makes you warm, gives you energy, gets the blood flowing, provides cancer-fighting anti-oxidants, makes you limber enough to swing that right leg over the back of the bike, and makes you just crazy enough to ride in such weather. Learn to like the taste of coffee and go for it! (One caveat: Hopefully there are places to pee along the way . . . you’ll need them.)

      • By: Rocky Posted: October 19, 2020

        You’re right about coffee. It’s the miracle drink! Scott laughs when I immediately chug down 2 cups of coffee when I get up. Unfortunately, in Italy I have to wait for my coffee usually. You sure are tough riding in such weather, coffee or not!

  4. By: BobinVT Posted: October 17, 2020

    Good job. That looked like a challenge! A combination of cold, rain and a little sinus problem made me wimp out yesterday, bringing my current streak to an end, so I commend you.

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      Sorry to hear about the end of your streak. I believe it was the longest current riding streak on Cycle365. I’m willing to wager $1 that the sinus problem was a bigger factor than cold or rain. I know from experience that when a cold or a headache hits the sinuses, the pain is increased tenfold.

      • By: BobinVT Posted: October 17, 2020

        Oh no no. My streak was a mere 54 days. I think your streak before the Feeshko’s surgery was much longer. I hope she is recovering well, by the way.

        • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

          Thanks Bob, but I said “current” streak.” My streak has long passed and I haven’t put together a week’s worth of consecutive days since then.

          Yes, The Feeshko’s recovery is going well. I worried about her dedication to meeting the demands of physical therapy, but she has been working her butt off both at the clinic and her exercises at home.

  5. By: Rich-Illinois Posted: October 17, 2020

    Reminds me of another state I could name . . . .
    Interestingly, after watching the video, Youtube had more videos to watch, including one on “Why you should invest in Bib Shorts”

    • By: gregblood Posted: October 17, 2020

      Would that other state you could name be the same disrespectful state that calls you guys “FIBs?” Those people are so smug just because they have the luckiest football team and the most obnoxious fans in the NFL.

      I am not going to look up the “Why you should invest in bib shorts” video, because there is not a single argument in this world that would convince me to do so.

      • By: Rich-Illinois Posted: October 17, 2020

        Hee Hee — in the comments below that video someone alluded to doing some, uh, alternative apparel ??, (or lack thereof) rather than be caught in lycra.

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