Global Warming

We just set a record for the lowest "high" temperature today.  We made it all the way up to 6 degrees in Boston (out here in Walpole, we enjoyed a balmy 15).  I didn't really pay attention to the weather report or what the lady was saying, but I did hear something about coldest high temp ever recorded for this day (Dec 28th).  The records go back 100 years, so for this year's Dec 28th to be the coldest ever...well...that's saying something.  Ain't it ain't something good.

Tonight's temps are going to drop even lower tonight so maybe we'll set a new record.  And, the temps don't look like they're going to climb out of the cellar for at least a week.  Awesome.

We don't usually see these kinds of temps until mid-Feb and while it sucks, it at least signals Winter has reached its peak. From there on out, the temps usually begin a maddeningly slow increase, but at least; upward.  Having these temps so early in the season makes me kinda nervous about what kind of winter we're in store for.

On a lighter note, Kate, Zig and I are heading out to Olean tomorrow, for New Year's.  King texted today to say that they had sub-zero temps going on, so we're not exactly improving our warmth factor but getting to see all those great friends will go a long way toward warming us up.

Here's wishing everyone a fantastic close-out to 2017, and a healthy and happy New Year's!

(Wishing I was able to) Ride Hard, Take Chances

Winter Solstice

As I'm sure many of you know, today is the winter solstice.  AKA; the shortest day of the year.  Sunrise is 7:10 am and sunset is 4:15 in the afternoon.  That's right; in the afternoon!  It's still the afternoon when we lose our favorite ambient light source!  But thankfully that will begin to change - very slowly of course, but still; the days will begin to get a tiny bit longer each day.

That's the great news.  The bad news is that today is also the official start of Winter, so while our days will be getting slightly longer, they'll also be getting colder and snowier.  (It's already been a shitty season so far; lots of salt and black ice, meaning the bike has been parked for a few weeks...hence the onset of winter anxiety I'm feeling).

Oh well, we gotta take the good with the bad I guess.

Ride Hard, Take Chances

RIP Dana

Obviously I'm not doing so well on keeping up on the blog, but at the same time it feels somehow appropriate that my last post was in memory of Russell, an now this next post is in memory of you, Dana.  I hope you, he, and the rest of the crew are all up there and having some laughs while looking down on us as we fumble our way through our days.

Just as with last year; there are a few of us heading out your way in a little over a week.  We'll stop by and say hello of course.  Wish it was at a bar, and over some cold ones, though.  It's been 20+ years since the whole crew was together up in Maine.  Seems so long ago but at the same time; where has the time gone?

Bottom line is we miss you guys and wish you were still down here with us.

RIP Dana