Friday Commute

My first thought this morning upon opening the shed doors where I keep my bike was, “What is that smell?” Nothing wakes up your nose in the morning like the strong scent of rotting flesh.  Using my bike headlight I searched for the source of the stench. Seconds later my beam fell on the skull and  antlers of a deer. The skull was covered with the remains of muscles and tendons, bingo, culprit found.

I suppose it would be somewhat understandable if I was upset at finding a rotting skull a foot away from my bike at 3:55 in the morning. But getting upset was the furthest thing from my mind. You see, my neighbors gave me venison. I don’t care if I find blood on the ground, on the shed door, find dead deer or parts of dead deer in the shed or hanging up on trees outside because I got free meat. I win.

Now last week I proved that I can leave horses in the dust and today I again proved my bicycling chops. As I was biking home, I saw a black cow walking alongside of the road. She was walking with a swagger, obviously confident that I had no chance against her. But I showed her. I wish you could have seen me whiz past her like she was standing still. I won, no sweat. Bike 2, Livestock 0.

The weather we are having is insane, is winter just getting skipped this year? Almost all the snow is gone.

To work (10 miles)
3:55 am to 4:50 am

Weather
38F, 12 mph West wind

I wore
Head: ear muffs
Torso: long-sleeve t-shirt
Hands: knit gloves
Legs: yoga pants, rain pants
Feet: socks, sneakers

Comments: The rain pants were overkill but I wore them since the road was a little wet.

From work (10 miles)
3:05 pm to 3:55 pm

Weather
40F, 13 mph Southwest wind

I wore
Head: ear muffs
Torso: short- sleeved t-shirt
Legs: yoga pants
Feet: socks, sneakers

Comments: My lower arms and hands were slightly cold but I was loving the feel of the air too much to care.