Oct. 31

oops, I drove the car today to the grocery store. I have to admit, it was nice to load up on a week's worth of groceries.

Oct. 30

Yeah, my last morning ride in the darkness, for a few weeks anyway. We go off daylight savings time on Sunday.

It was really warm so that was a nice surprise. Temperature was 61 F at 6:53 am, winds south at 11 mph. On my return trip at 8:41 am, temperature was 63, winds 13 mph from the south. It was misting a bit but nothing to complain about. I was just enjoying being warm.

Oct. 29

Today my lovely break from a long day of work was a ride around the lake (Monona) with a stop for yoga and tea halfway around.

I was a little pressed for time so I didn't even stop to snap this picture:

Fortunately I had a partial tailwind. Temperature was 54 F, winds 17 mph gusting to 26 from the SSE.

The purple flowers at Atwood gardens were nice against the orange leaves.

Near the yoga studio, I passed by the house I lived in over 20 years. wow. I haven't gone by here in years but I might start taking this route a few times a week.

On the way home, here is the view across Monona Bay. The water tower is close to where I live. I can go left or right and it's about the same distance. I rode north coming in, and south heading home (to the right here).

I think these were coots:

We don't see them too much here. They must be migrating? Here's some more against a nice background:

I stopped at Washington Hotel coffee shop for some tea. on W. Lakeside. a very nice spot! good view of the lake. Then it started raining. I knew it was coming. that's what the rain gear is for. Here's my wet bike.

The wind died down a bit for my ride home, to 9 mph from the SE at 2:15. It didn't seem bad.

Oct. 28

I'm adjusting to the morning darkness. I have to because I like to be happy. Temperature was 41, winds calm at 6:53 am.

Actually it was nice to see the sky brighten as I made it to class. It wasn't too cloudy. After exercise class I went to campus. I rode home at about 3 pm. Temperature was up to 55, winds only 4 mph from the south. It was a nice ride, probably the highlight of my day.

oct. 27

This morning was one of the prettiest rides I've ever done. I got to leave an hour later than yesterday so it was light out. Morning fog was dissipating, bringing clear skies. The fog, blue sky, and foliage was beautiful. And to top it off I had a long ride. My first destination was a yoga studio on the other side of Lake Monona, so I took the southern route. This involves turning left on Lakeview instead of going down the hill to Davies, Dempster and the bike path. The temperature was a cool 33 F, winds calm at 8 am. Here's Lakeview Ave:

Here's some morning fog still dissipating:

A view of the lake around the south side. I don't know the name of the bike path or streets here:

A beautiful birch tree:

Another sign of fall:

Riding by Wingra creek made me realize I want to get my kayak on this creek! I was starting to worry about being late so I snapped this photo while riding:

Now I'm on campus and will ride home about 6 pm, stopping at Revolution cycles for my bicycle maintenance class at 7 pm. So I'll get home about 10 pm. I've been meaning to mention the best part about winter (and fall and spring) biking: it's a great way to get outside and enjoy sunshine and fresh air, and beat the winter blues--though tonight's ride will be in the dark. Night rides can be nice and peaceful. Soon I will convince myself of the same about morning rides in the dark--otherwise I'm in for a depressing winter.

Oct. 26

Ugh:

The temperature was 46 F, winds calm at 6:53 am. It was dark and cloudy with light rain. It was peaceful. There's the positive side.

At least it was light out on the way home at 9 am. Temperature was 47 F, winds 5 mph from the north. Here's the road up to my house. If it weren't for the colors, Fall would be dreary.

Today was still beautiful (on Friday the 5 day forecast was for rain and clouds). In fact, it was gorgeous in the morning light. I left at 7:45 am which was only 22 minutes after sunrise. Temperature was 45 F, winds 8 mph from the south. Here's the start of the bike path:

Starkweather creek looks beautiful!

this has been a great fall for foliage!

Here's Starkweather Creek in the afternoon light, about 2:45 pm. Boy does that look different.

Temperature was 59 F, winds variable at 6 mph. What a nice day!

oct. 24

Even though I drove the you-know-what for my morning errands (not an excuse but it did make the grocery shopping easier), we rode our bikes to a park with Kenny and Audrey. That was a lot of fun. The forecast was for rainy crappy weather all weekend. Here's how it turned out:

The temperature was 50 F at 2 pm, winds 8 mph from the west. Here's Kenny and Audrey.

Audrey complains when she has to ride in the car. A true biker!

Here's my biking outfit without the helmet. The orange strip on my back is a flashing light. it's attached to my hood. We had a great time.

oct. 23

I didn't bike today! I drove the you-know-what all day long. I was so rushed going from one meeting to the next I didn't have time to get on the bike. Oh well, at least it was windy and rainy and miserable.

Oct. 22

Today was rainy, cool and windy. But believe it or not, it was a great 3 rides into campus (2 stops on the way). The temperature was 41 F, winds 17 mph gusting to 29 mph at 9 am. Fortunately that's mostly a tailwind, which is good because otherwise I would have been late. I rode fast and forgot to take a picture at the start of the bike path. I decided to take one at Starkweather Creek.

The fall colors were just beautiful. This has been a beautiful year for fall colors.

First stop was a meeting at a coffee shop on the Lakeside Ave, so I rode along Lake Monona:

And on Lakeside Ave, another shot of the fall colors.

Then I had another appointment before heading to campus. Then tonight I wasn't looking so forward to riding home in a headwind in the rain, and I got lucky and scored a ride home with Marilyn. We put the bike in her car.

Oct. 21

Ah, this day was great. This is an example of when you shouldn't let a weather forecast stop you from riding. The forecast was windy and rainy. Okay, from this picture, it looks likely.

And this was at 9 am. Temperature was 50 F, winds E at 5 mph. It was a very pleasant and peaceful ride. Then by noon it got sunny. It was a warm sunny day. We did some "work" at the terrace and I rode home with Kenny at 5 pm. The temperature was 70 F (!), winds 10 mph from the S.

Oct. 20

Posting 3 days later makes it harder to remember. Let's see if the almanac can jar my memory. Temperature was 46 F, winds were calm at 6:55 am. nope, still don't remember much. Here's the start of the bike path:

Trains are always fun, except for the loud horn.

Oh yeah, I went on to a massage after the exercise. That was fun. Then I went on a night ride to my bicycle maintenance class from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. That was very fun. The temperature was 50 F, winds 9 mph from the ENE on the way out; temp 48, winds 6 mph on the way home. We learned how to change tires. I've done this many times before but since I never actually had someone teach me how to do it, I learned several useful tips from the instruction. I'm looking forward to the next class, next Tuesday.

Oct. 19

I doubt I'll ever love waking up in the dark and leaving before sunrise, but you never know, I'll have plenty of opportunity to learn to love it in the next few months. Today wasn't too dark when I left because they sky was pretty clear. At least the temperatures are supposed to be closer to normal this week. Temperature was 44 F, winds 10 mph from the south at 6:53 am. Sunrise was 7:16 am. Here's the start of the bike path at 7 am:

The ride home was excellent. The sun was shining and I had a nice tailwind. The temperature 47 F, winds 8 mph from the SSW at 9 am. huh, it seemed like that more help than that.

Oct. 18

Today was an absolutely gorgeous morning. This could be the #1 prettiest daily ride I've had. Or easily in the top 5. I left about 8 am, 45 after sunrise, and the sun angle was perfect. The trees are turning color, the sky was clear, it was a cool 33 F, the winds were south at 6 mph, there was frost on the ground in low-lying areas. The pictures don't do it justice, but it was lovely:

It was also nice on the way home but not the same. The temperature was nice and warm though, 49 F, with winds 12 mph from the SW at noon.

Oct. 17

Today I took my kayak to a friend's garage to store for winter. So I combined my various trips into one car trip, and did no biking. Can you tell a lot about a family by their garage? This looks like a fun-loving family:

Oct. 16

I'm writing 3 days later so I don't remember what I was thinking this morning. Temperature was 33 F, winds 13 mph from the north. I was just a bit late for class. Oh yeah, I remember it cleared up on my way home and was a pleasant ride. Temperature was 35, winds 9 mph from the north. I stopped at the co-op to get a few groceries. Here's the bike path at 6:53 am:

In the afternoon I rode to O'Keefe middle school to help some kids build lego robots. Temperature was 45 F and it felt hot! I dressed for colder. Here's the view from the school looking back to the bike path:

Then I headed to campus for the hockey game. I put my bike in housemate's car and got a ride home later on.

Oct. 15

A nice dark rainy morning. But it's also peaceful in the rain. Our exercise class involved some running outdoors so I got a lot of exposure to the rain today. And that was fine. Maybe I'm getting adjusted to the new season now. Temperature was 39 F, winds 5 mph from the ENE at 7 am. Sunrise was 7:11 am (still not adjusted to that). The ride home at 9 am was a little more windy, 9 mph, and temperature was still 39.

Oct. 14

This morning I found a reason to drive in the rain. bad barbie biker. well, I needed a lot of heavy groceries. bad planning, barbie biker. okay, but I rode this afternoon.

The temperature was 45 F, winds 17 mph gusting to 27, from the East, at 4 pm--good thing because I was late. I forgot to take a picture. Then I had a meeting at church at 6 pm. Here's a picture on the way there. Temperature was 44 F, winds 13 mph from the east.

then a ride home in the dark at 7:30 pm Temperature was 43 F, winds 11 mph from the east. The winds must have made me feel cold. It's unseasonably cold. That must be why I'm not ready for it. I should have worn a vest.

Oct. 13

I rode my bike twice today. First in the morning:

Temperature was 29 F, winds calm at 6:55 am, sunrise was 7:08 am. I'm trying not to get depressed about the cold and darkness. I'll get used to it...

The way home was nice and sunny and beautiful. Temperature was all the way up to 34 f, winds 14 mph from the north.

This nice couple was sweeping glass off the bike path:

They made me realize, I can do that too! It's funny how you don't think of something until you see someone else do it. I have a small brush but it's not where I thought it was. I need to find it and put it in my bike bag.

The trees are starting to turn!

I want an apple tree of my own.

Then later on I had a meeting and a dinner party to attend. temperature was 44 at 5 pm, winds 9 mph from the east.

Starkweather Creek has been particularly pretty lately, not sure why. I guess I just missed it being gone for 2 weeks.

I rode home in the dark and cold at 9:30 pm. Temperature was 35 F, winds 11 mph from the NNE. I still have to get used to the cold and dark...