Nothin' But Cold and Snow Friday

All the way off, didn't even walk today. Good progress with the weight loss. Only 7 pounds to go.

While Working Today Along The Mississippi River at Lilydale

Better Planning

I pick the coldest day of the week to finally get out and ride. You'd think I'd plan better, but three days was all I could stand. Temp never got above zero here. Trails are mostly ice. Studs are mandatory.

Talk Is Cheap

Been at the gym the last three days. I've just been too wussy to get out in the cold, and was not interested in "respecting the dangers and being properly prepared".
Weight is still coming off. I'll report the tonnage reduction Friday.

Harsh Yes

Today's ride was rough, literally. I chose to ride along the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Creek parkway trails. I'm not sure what it is, maybe all the curves, but these trails are not plowed as well as the Greenway and Cedar Lake Trail - lots of ruts, bumps, loose snow and debris all over. It was a very different ride from yesterday, which I was looking for. I'm not a technical rider at all, but every now and then a technical challenge is good for me. You can see just how pathetic my technical abilities are by me calling a plowed trail technical.
Another cold beauty. Lots of complaining about how harsh our Minnesota winters are, and they are, but you know, by respecting the dangers and being properly prepared, I have found, that there is a lot of fun to be had in even the most extreme that winter can throw at me.
That being said, it felt good to get home to safety and warmth. Couple of hours today. About 20 miles.

Getting Ready To Head Out

Minnehaha Falls

Contrasts

Rode where the plows had been. Got as far west as Shady Oak Lake. Hard to imagine a more beautiful winter day. Loved every second of being out there with the single digits and the below zero wind chills. Missed Amy. She's some place warm. I feel a little sorry for her.

Been enjoying taking some high contrast black and white shots over the last few days.

That Was A Storm

Haven't had a storm like that in 20 years. Started out as rain yesterday, then turned to snow last night. About 2 inches of ice sits below 10 inches of snow.This has been one rough winter. I'm sure it will go down as a top ten. If the predicted temps for the coming week happen, this will be the coldest winter in 40 years. The roads are atrocious. Walking or biking is faster than driving a car.
As terrible as what the storm left behind is, the beauty of it was breath taking.
Got my Friday walk in, and lost another pound this week. I may have this weight loss done by the end of March.

Enjoyed It While It Lasted

Teased with a taste of spring the last couple of days, but winter isn't done with us yet. Blizzard and winter storm warnings have been posted for tomorrow, but today, joggers in shorts, soft snow, puddles and fenders.