is it?

Well, I really have to stop smoking crack and wishing for 15oC + weather. Those days are done.
The days are shorter and the nights are getting cold and I'm riding out of time...
Until, winter solstice in about 3 weeks, then the days start getting longer. But, its still damn well cold!
I'll make a plea to momma nature for a trade - warm weather please!

Anyhow, I managed to relieve myself of my daily duties today. Its good to be close to the gatineaus during this time of year (I'm normally on the other side of town so getting to the gats is kind of difficult this time of year).

Prior to my ride up to the gatineaus, I could see snow on the hill top. Going to be interesting for I have skinny tires on my ride (700x23).

Gamelin didn't have much snow. Then up pinks brought a bit of snow. Climbing up blacks brought a dusting of snow with wet spots.
And, the top of blacks was a white covered forest of wonder (well, not really, but it was kind of neat).

Yah ever ride a white bush boy?
Sure have - it brings some delight, fright, thrills, spills and the dark spots kill!
Up to Champlains brought patches of snow, just a dusting. But, there were spots of black ice (the dark spots your momma warned you of). Gotta love the hair raising experience that brings to some fun loven' riden'! Especially on the decent down in partial darkness!

So, if you're going up... best to bring some mini-fatties on your ride for a true thrill riding adventure. Can really dig in if you may.


My ride back brought me into rush hour. Me, I don't do rush hour. So, I took the old rail line. I'm not typically out around downtown this time of year during rush hour.
What a sight to see - mounds and mounds of traffic along the parkway.
I kind of wonder why one would do such stressful things to their lifestyle. That has to take a couple of years off ones life (sitting in traffic for hours on end etc...).
Then, I notice these little streams of light along the bike path... a stream of hope .... we're not all f-kd at least. Good to see (last time I was down around this way the bike path was just crowded with commuters heading home).
Glad I don't have to get stuck in traffic every day. Damn, that would suck big bannanas.

Soggy dog...
I went up again today. It was just a nice pleasant day for a nice little ride up to the hill. But, I over dressed. I should have undressed and biked up naked!
But, the top of blacks still had a slight coating of snow. Not as much black ice.
I decided to head down Fortune instead. It had some wonderful black ice. I had the skinnies on still, so a bit of a hair raising experience at times. Still a thrill though. If I had some mini-fatties on (cx 30s or such), I would have been having a real good time on the stuff!

Not many people out enjoying it. Must be xmas season. I dread ever stepping into a shopping mall this time of year with the masses...
So, I'm hoping for a couple of more weeks of riding... I hope... yah right, snow is just around the corner it seems.

My way home was during rush hour again. So, to avoid mass confusion and congestion I took the old rail line. Noticed some bastard is putting up a fence... hmmm, probably starts with an N ends with a C?
I swear we are over governed in this city big time. They are going to put up a fence which will cut down typical people traffic. Next thing yah know ever hoodlum in the city will be hanging out there...
They should convert that old rail line to a pedestrian and cycling through-way. Enough people take it for a short cut to/from work it seems. I pass by enough people on it.
Oh well, what should I expect from a city that needs signs posted in every toilet telling people how to wash their hands... good bike lords... someone building empires on foolishness really.


well, a day of rain will most likely wash all the snow up there away then its back to business, I hope.

times of joy!

the rainfall of yesterday pretty much got rid of all the snow at the top of the hill.
It's a little wet in spots, but the whole loop is good to go again without troubles...

enjoy before the snow comes... It seems as though it may be soon enough (?)

Damn, get your last ride in this weekend... here comes the white crap (15-20cm forecasted this week!)

Yeah, winter can be long if you don't practise any winter activities otherwise I manage pretty good. I go backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, xc skiing plus I have plenty of winter projects to keep me way busy. I'm getting back on a road bike for next season (2010), getting rollers for some winter cardio.

I also have 2 sea kayaks to build this winter so I can be ready early spring time to test them out.

Cheers