Winter commuting, in case you forgot about the white stuff.

LET IT SNOW!!!!

Parking at work. 

Slick rides call for new shoes.  I couldn't spin out with these tires if I tried. 

Not too cold on the rides into work.  The rides home called for balaclava and goggles. 

 The snow is starting to collect.

The daily cleaning of my bike because of the salt, slush, and grime made me cringe. Time for a simpler bike. 

 

My new commuter.  Fixed gear.  No derailers, 1 brake, studded tires.  Eat it up salt.

 

Studded tires were a must. 

Fully protected from the elements.  -2degF some mornings.  

This winter was extreme for Indiana. I didn't commute everyday, but did ride on days when most wouldn't.  Icy roads, deep snow, and salt trucks spraying me with salt.  The extreme lows did begin to wear on me, but some days it was just absolutely beautiful.

30 Days of biking

This year I decided to participate in 30 Days of Biking.  

What is 30 Days of Biking? Very simply, it’s a pledge to ride your bike every day in April, however far you want, no matter the weather! Next, you share your adventures online, with #30daysofbiking. That’s all there is to it. 

I shared on twitter, so here are my twitter post for 30 Days of Biking.

4/01:

The first of #30daysofbiking was 11mi to work battling 30mph wind. 1 down 29 to go.

4/02:

#30daysofbiking. Day 2 43degF 11 mile rainy ride home from work at 4:30am.

Another #30daysofbiking another rainy day. Day 2 part 2. 11 miles to work. 

4/03:

Day 3 of #30daysofbiking. Thunder, lightening, rain, and wind. Found shelter in a gazebo. Weather was insane. I think I'd be more dry if I rode my bike into a lake.

4/04:

No work, no plans, so decided to go on a group ride for day 4 of #30daysofbiking 

4/05:
Day 5 of #30daysofbiking was 7 miles on my 43 year old R 20

4/06:
11 mile #biketowork for Day 6 of #30daysofbiking. Battling this past winter made the ride today absolute bliss 

4/07:

5am 11mi commuter from work for the 7th day of #30daysofbiking 

Day 7 part 2.  You know it's miserable weather when a guy in a car pulls next to you and ask if you want a ride. No thanks, it's #30daysofbiking! 

This commute was miserable.  I was more comfortable this winter commuting home in -2degF temps than this 38degF downpour with a strong headwind. 

4/08:

day 8. 11 mile commute from work with a coyote sighting. Life is good.

Day 8 part 2 of #30daysofbiking 11mi #biketowork. B/c of unstable atmosphere full rain gear, luckily didn't need it. 

4/09:

Day 9 of #30daysofbiking was a 11 mile commute from work under brilliant #mars. 

Soaking up beautiful day 9 part 2 of #30daysofbiking because next week doesn't look too promising.

4/10:

That skunk was a little too close for comfort on my 10th day of #30daysofbiking. One notch I don't want on my bicycling resume.

Day 10 part 2. 

#30daysofbiking @INDYCOG @MayorBallard great time during #biketotheballpark

 
4/11:

The family van on the 11th day of #30daysofbiking 

4/12:

#30daysofbiking day 12. Anyone familiar with Observatory Road knows how fun it is to get up here. Over 110mi for week.  

 4/13:

Day 13 my "Monday ". Windy 11mi ride into work. Expecting thunderstorms for the ride home.

 4/14:

Well I missed the thunderstorms on Day 14 of #30daysofbiking, but still was able to ride in an awesome 40mph head wind.

Day 14 part 2. Yesterday 75, today 45, and 28 on the ride home. #april #30daysofbiking

 4/15:

Mid April snow brings May .....????30daysofbiking day 15. Smiling the entire snow shower ride home.

 Whitestown's answer to #potholes: throw a bunch of stones on them. Day 15 part 2 #30daysofbiking 

 

4/16:

Alright winter, you're drunk, time to go home. Day 16 of #30daysofbiking a 28 degree 11 mile ride home from work.

Caution: bad ass bike. Day 16 part 2 of #30daysofbiking

4/17:

Day 17 of #30daysofbiking my "Friday". 88 miles commuting to work this week. 

4/18:

Family ride for day 18 of #30daysofbiking 

4/19:

"Faster daddy faster"! On day 19 of #30daysofbiking  

4/20:

25 mile Easter ride in hill country day 20 #30daysofbiking 

4/21:

 I love #rushHour on my #bikeToWork. Day 21 of #30daysofbiking.

4/22:

No outer shell needed for the 22nd day of #30daysofbiking. #warmingup

Happy windy #EarthDay. Day 22 part 2 11mi #biketowork. #30daysofbiking. 

4/23:

Day 23 of #30daysofbiking was back in the 30s. 67 in Tampa, just saying.

4/24:

Day 24 of #30daysofbiking included head wind, rain, MaCaskill like moves avoiding would be coon # 2 under the bike tire, and chased by dogs.

4/25:

#30daysofbiking day 25 was a wee ride with the neighborhood kids on a sunny afternoon.

4/26:

Stopped by Mr #Vonnegut today for day 26 of #30daysofbiking. Yeah he's pretty big here. 

4/27:

27th day of #30daysofbiking was a somber ride up Lafayette bike ln. My 1st #biketowork after Indys bike fatality couple days ago. Stay safe. 

4/28:

Day 28 of #30daysofbiking. Nothing says pedal faster than thunder and lightening cracking at your back. Just 2 more days. 

Love anticipating thunderstorms, then hopping on my bike to the most glorious #biketowork 28th part 2 of #30daysofbiking 

4/29:

Rainy start, rain eased then stopped. Eyes on road b/c worms/potholes. Looked up to a sky full of stars. #whyIride 29th of #30daysofbiking.

I remember starting for home in a steady chilly rain shower.  The only thing you can do is bear down and battle until you get to your destination.  The rain eventually eased and let up.  A couple more miles after the rain stopped I just happened to look up to the sky and saw an amazing light display from the stars.  Just like that it turned from a battle to a glorious time on my bike. 

Skies black and encroaching fast behind me, no time for a pic on the 29th part 2 #30daysofbiking. Never pedalled like that for #biketowork

4/30:

If you want to know my route from Whitestown to Indy just follow the trail of phlegm I left. Day 30 of #30daysofbiking.

Gloomy last day of #30daysofbiking. 469 miles this month. How will I celebrate? By riding tomorrow.