It is 15 degrees F (approx -10 C). The sun is bright. The sky is a brilliant blue. There are no clouds. There is no wind. We have fresh snow, so the sun glints off of countless facets. It is the sort of day that those who don’t live in snowy climes may not be able to appreciate, and those who do often forget to appreciate.
As I rode home from the library, I began to ruminate over things I am thankful for (most, in some way, related to this blog). I am thankful for:
- construction workers who work outside all day all winter long.
garbage trucks blocking the road so I can practice my cyclocross skills.-
ice fishing shanty, snowy day the lake near my house that becomes a massive and nearly private park in the winter. After skating on the street last Sunday, I skiied across the lake this Sunday.
- Ally, Ed, and Steve – who turned a 105 mile slog through 40 degree (4 degrees C) rain in
to something do-able. While they claim misery loves 
company, company can also make it not misery, as evidenced by this smile at the end of that day. (Not to mention that we were even smiling for the picture.) - Steve (a different Steve) and Kevin, who stuck with me through thick and thin (and thinner) on a long and hard day in the heat and headwind.
- Anders, who picked up a new helmet for me at the end of said long day, so I could
ride again the next day. - the entire Cycle America staff, for handling the logistics so we could ride. A special shout out to Ed (a different Ed) for delightful surprises on the routes; and to Dan, who never met a hill he didn’t like.
- the half-fast cycling club, including those I started riding with more than 40 years ago, and those I haven’t yet met.
- the glaciers which all managed to miss the driftless area, making for great bike riding in the area of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (and to HHH, as I just learned that I was selected in the lottery to ride this year).
- icicles. Snow to sculpt.
EPSON MFP image
- the Parks Department, for plowing the bike paths.
- public libraries.
- getting old. I’ve seen a lot of folks the past couple of weeks with broken ribs from slipping and falling on the ice. Many tell me how horrible it is to get old. I think it beats the alternative.
Half-fast Cycling Club 
Great post. In Finland we bike in winter, not only sport people, but everyone.
Have a good day!
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It may be my Finnish blood, but that has always seemed pretty normal to me. There are quite a few year around commuters here, but I wouldn’t call it main stream.
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Wow. Thanks!
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I have to add another to the list: the full moon setting through a fairyland of hoarfrost-covered trees. There wasn’t enough light for a decent picture with a phone camera (which also doesn’t like it when it’s this cold [-4F, -20C]). Besides, some things you just have to see for yourself.
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I would add that to my list too; memories as a child with 4 to 5 of my friends sledding during that bright moonlight!
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Thanks for making me feel like I’m not on a snowy island (oooh, island – makes me think of Maui). Anyway -4 (Fahrenheit) here this a.m. in Markleeville, CA. Many feet of snow in the last week or so. Since it’s been so cold the ice on the roads is not melting much so I have not been able to get outside on the bike. Thank goodness for my trainer but oh so looking forward to things thawing out a bit.
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Just thought I’d mention that I think of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds as the Death Ride of the Midwest. 11K feet of climbing in 200k of riding; but instead of five long climbs there are too many short and steep climbs to want to count.
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