February Freedom

On the whole, it's been a mild winter, so far, in this part of the world.  Last Saturday was, thus far, the coldest day of the season:  The day dawned clear, at -10C (14F).  I rode nonetheless.  After that, the temperature rose a few degrees each day until it reached 15C (60F) yesterday afternoon.

That meant, of course, a ride to Point Lookout

the day after a ride to Connecticut.  The funny thing is that on both rides, I saw little traffic, whether from cyclists or motorized vehicles.  I think I encountered more strangers shouting "Nice day for a ride" than actual cyclists along yesterday's ride!

Between those two rides, and some other riding I did during the week, I managed to do 600 kilometers (385 miles) from last Monday until yesterday.  I don't think I've ridden that much in one week in February in years.  Heck, that's even a good week during peak riding season.

Maybe the groundhog's prediction was correct after all.  Or, perhaps, we'll get a March (or April?!) blizzard. Anyway, I hope to keep up my riding:  It and my writing (off this blog) are helping me to keep whatever sanity I may have.

Did You See Your Shadow?

Today is Groundhog day.

As you know, if the motley marmot sees his or her shadow, there will be another six weeks of winter.  If he or she doesn't, spring will arrive early.

The most-watched woodchuck of them all, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his profile.  His New York cousin, Staten Island Chuck, didn't see his.  

So what am I to make of it?  Well, while pedaling to work this morning, I didn't see my shadow.  Did you see yours?  Did other cyclists see theirs?

This fellow was riding the TransAmerica.  What did his profile portend for the road that lay ahead?

These guys, apparently, didn't see theirs.  Does that mean the rest of their race was "smooth sailing"?  

Then again, those guys were in England.  If Phil or Chuck or any of the other furry forecasters were there, would they see their shadows?