Finding my morning routine again, now that the sun is coming up a bit earlier each day.
Morning
February 1st, 2010Ice Sliding
February 1st, 2010Lots of cold and ice here in BTV. Been out with the boys a few times in the last two weeks to play on the studded tires.
The water inside the breakwall is starting to set up. I’m still a bit leary of getting out on it – John and Jim gave it a test.
Parts of the Intervale flooded last week with the big rain. Lots of ice in the fields and woods where the river pushed over its banks.
A stiff link on the Homer had us diagnosing a shifting issue…
The Soma in its winter kit with a half frozen water bottle.
Recent Snaps
January 31st, 2010Been a hectic few weeks.
Snowstorm 2.0
January 3rd, 2010
View from Battery Park. 2 foot+!
Great storm still underway. Expected snowfall totals to range from 15 to 30+ inches by the time it is done. Burlington Airport had a record 19 inches yesterday. Totals today shattered 120 years of record keeping – 32.6 inches recorded at last check of the local paper’s website – with more on the way.
Comfortable, dry. Even the toes stayed warm today.
I got out for a nice ride this morning. Singlespeed on the Soma, running 32×18 (a bit high with all the snow), and the Nokian Extremes. I almost swapped tires to the fat Nevegals – but was glad I had the 588 points of carbide along when I managed to break through to pavement. Logged just under 15 miles. Lakefront MUP was a mess – deep powder with footprints and frozen tracks deep below the surface. I kept to side streets and a few main roads. Most motorists were tolerant of the crazy on the bike. Made it into town to run errands, warm with some tea, and check out the waterfront. Digicam battery died – so I’m left with smartphone pics.
Church Street - plenty of kids climbing on the snow piles.
29er, studded tires, and my Indigo backpack with extra layers and an assortment of things I picked up in town...
Ice
December 27th, 2009
The Nokian Extremes showed up just in time for a post holiday ride with freezing rain and a mini ice storm hitting upstate NY. First time in the woods on studs was good fun – and plenty of work. 1/4″ ice on the drive and minor roads. Studs on the bike worked well. Temps warmed and the trail started to slop… Time to reboot. Brevets, a flèche, and a bikepacking ride await next year. Resolutions?
Snap
December 26th, 2009
Snap from a friend after a fine fall day on the Burlington waterfront.
Ride
December 20th, 2009
First ride in 2 weeks. First decent ride since before the Thanksgiving holiday. Amazing how quickly fitness can slip away – but – I had a good time out today. We kept it mild – Jim and I explored the icy and snowy Intervale (sans studs!), and warmed up at a favorite coffee house. Temps were in the teens with wind chill dropping it below zero. I logged about ~22 miles just exploring around town.
I explored North Beach on the way home – very different experience riding on frozen sand from my last journey. I sat and listened to the waves and the ice / slush out of the wind and snapped some pics and let out a nice long sigh for a good day to finally get back on the bike. Back is mildly sore – I’m going to do my PT exercises this afternoon after my soup warms. I’m chilled – but not frozen. Time to start clawing my fitness back.
PT
December 9th, 2009Back is still in trouble. Started PT so I have some basic exercises to do – aside from casual spinning on the bike I foresee 4-6 weeks sans riding. Foot is back to 90%. Good to go, even in cycling shoes. Last Sunday’s ride was slow and painful due to my back. Trudged out maybe 20 miles around town. Snow is starting to fall. 4-8″ due in town this morning. I’m going to use this time to rebuild my core, get into a yoga class, and work on stretching, flexibility, and changing up my routine – maybe even getting into the pool for some swimming.
Broken
December 3rd, 2009Messed up right foot. Docs, acupuncture, x-ray, – its not broken – but it hurts to walk. Have a specialist scheduled for next week. And my back is torn up from lugging suitcases around during out holiday trip. Last ride was a week ago – when my back crumbled on the Soma climbing 8% on the road. The foot was actually rideable in my stiff cycling shoes. Was a long slow slog back home and made for an uncomfortable Thanksgiving Day dinner. I’m sitting in front of the happy light taking in full spectrum waves trying to stay sane. No bike, no run. Maybe can walk a bit peg leg style with some stiff soled shoes. Making me a bit crazy.
I knocked off a nice chunk of body weight about a month ago, trending downwards and feeling great. That trend has reversed and I need to battle to get back in the groove – fight the gray and cold of winter coming on, and gain some consistency. Dreams of the Tour Divide keep me motivated and inspired – but 2-3 years seems so far away…
Still 2
November 15th, 2009 
Burlington Earth Clock on the quiet ride home.
