Progress

Got in a little over an hour today. Sun is warmer. Was light past 6pm. Sunday it will be light past 7pm. Even with the temps warming, it's going to be awhile before we get rid of all this snow.

Record Breaking Cold

Wow, that was a cold weekend. Rode with Amy on Saturday. Ride temp never got above -2 with wind chills around -20. I got in a little over 30 miles, but the cold and icy conditions kept it one of my slower rides. Even colder today. Started at -15 degrees actual air temp. Sun was out though, which got it a little closer to bearable. Today I changed up my clothing layering scheme, with 3 balaclavas, and a heavier and longer (gotta give extra coverage to private matters) base layer.

Saturday

Sunday on the South and East Shore of Lake Calhoun

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.