Cold and Snowy

I had hoped that one of the advantages of being retired is that I could get more rides in during the winter. That hasn't worked out so far. Last year, when I was working, I remember a number of times during the week where the weather was warm enough to ride but I couldn't because I was working. This year has been one of the coldest winters in at least 10 years. It didn't get much over 20 degrees in the past week and has been in the single digits most mornings. We also got 10+ inches of snow last Sunday and there is no chance of that melting anytime soon. It may get above freezing next week for a little while but I think it might be a while before we can get any real riding in. 

Tomorrow is Feb 2nd and I sure that useless over pampered rodent Pucxsutawney Phil will probably predict 6 more weeks of winter. Not that I put any weight against his or any other predictions as the farmers almanac said this winter would be milder and drier than normal. The truth is that a coin flip is as good as any prediction model that tries to predict the weather more than a week into the future. 

My theory as we why we have this cold and snowy weather is that we pissed off Greenland and because of that they turned on their weather control machine and created the Greenland Block (check out the link). Hopefully they will have mercy on us soon as my heating bill is becoming a significant expense. My heater also objected to the cold as it malfunctioned right after the snow storm because of ice and water in the intake. Luckily I was able to fixed it before the house got below 60 degrees. 

Exercise is important to my sanity. I know the posse feels the same way as I got a few emails asking if anybody is using indoor trainers. I actually when to the gym in my clubhouse and spent an hour on an exercise bike. I hate indoor riding but need to do something to stay in some kind of riding shape until it warms up. I have some bathroom remodeling work that will keep me busy but I hope to get some kind of riding in. There are a few places like Tyler State Park, Pennypack and Sandy Hook where I could ride if it warms up and we get some melting. 

The temperatures have been abnormally cold almost 20 degrees below normal. At some point we will have to revert to the mean. I hope that it is sooner than later so I can get back out on the bike again and forget about this cold winter.