January 5

Today was a telecommuting day, but I found time to take a seven -mile ride in the evening to meet up with Dale on his commute home and to stop for groceries.

First Commute of 2012

From Daily Rides of 2012

The streets are a mess, the sun goes up after I get to work and sets before I get out, it's cold, and the ride isn't particularly scenic -- but I really enjoy cycle-commuting.  It's easier to load up my computer and head off in the early morning to work than to take a recreational ride around the lake on a sunny winter afternoon;  having a reason to ride is a big part of my motivation.  (5.4 miles round trip)

Winter cycling on ice

From Daily Rides of 2012

Every year since 2002, when I first tried to take at least one bike ride a day, Minnesota weather has stopped me in my tracks. This little Anura trike took me around Lake Harriet today and then up an icy hill toward home.  Even without studded tires, its traction is impressive.  (Dale was riding the one with the larger wheels and the studded tires.)  It was another day for a short ride, just three miles. 

Just 364 more days

From Daily Rides of 2012

Without the Greenspeed Anura trikes, the idea of cycling every day of 2012 would already be dead in the water (or perhaps it would already be "on ice").  As it was, I had to zig-zag uphill at one point.  Dale had it easier on the trike with 20" rear wheels and studded tires, but mine was running ordinary tires on 16" wheels. 

We weren't very ambitious.  A 2.6 mile ride to the post office to mail a 100th birthday card to Dale's childhood dance teacher and then to the co-op for some groceries was plenty. 

365 to go

Ten years ago today, a New Year's Day group ride inspired me to try biking every day for a whole year -- an elusive goal that I've never achieved yet. 

Trying to bike in bad weather introduced us to velomobiles, studded tires, lobster gloves, winter biking shoes, and delta trikes.

Our good-weather cycling has expanded to include hundred-mile rides, a 1008-mile cycling vacation, daily commuting by bike, and bike errands all over town.

Now it's time for another attempt to take at least one bike ride every day of the year.  The first day of 2012 brought a layer of ice and fresh snow, with high winds and falling temperatures.  We waited until evening and took a ride around Lake Harriet in the dark, meeting only three pedestrians and no other cyclists -- and no wonder, since the bike path was slick with ice.

One down.  Three-hundred and sixty-five to go.

[The ride -- about three miles, with a Greenspeed Anura trike;  Dale was on a modified Anura with 20" rear wheels fitted with Schwalbe Winter studded tires.]