PRODUCT TESTING. This morning, I got to try a fixed-gear and a three-speed bike. Well, actually it was my 24-speed mountain bike. Both of my shifters froze, leaving me in a single gear (1 gear above granny) for the first 2 miles of my ride, before I was finally able to use my front derailleur shifter for the remaining 5 miles. Oh yeah, I also tested "no brakes" - they were frozen too.

MORNING RIDE (7 miles)

Temperature: 15 degrees F

Skies: Cloudy

Bike Path Conditions: Mixed bag. Some paths were plowed pretty well, while others are still a mess. I was able to ride on a crucial "connector" path this morning that got me to work on time, so I was happy.

Road Conditions: Still really mucky, as the picture above illustrates. I was able to find the white fog line (and stay on or to the right of it) most of the way, so it wasn't a bad trip considering all the snow we got this week.

AFTERNOON RIDE (6 miles)
Temperature: 23 degrees F
Skies: Cloudy
Bike Path Conditions: Slowly improving. As the remaining snow packs down and ices, it is becoming rideable. I'm still taking alternate routes through neighborhoods when possible.

Road Conditions: Pretty clear, although still plenty of gunk in the bike lane/shoulder.