winter cycling

Winter_cycling

On a day that began at 9F/-13C and 5-8 inches of snow predicted, these are the ingredients required for bicycling in a Chicago winter.

A balaclava, thermal scarf, down bomber jacket, sweat shirt,  cotton sweater, thermal undershirt, t-shirt, rain pants, sweat pants, thermal underwear, Skinz, cotton socks, wool socks, thermal gloves, my indispensable Blundstones, and a bike.  Some optional items:  a sense of humour, stupidity, and a fearlessness to deal with Chicago drivers - in particular, taxi drivers.  I must also say for the record that despite how fat I look I've actually lost weight this winter.  Maybe it's not swimming laps but actually biking while wearing 200 pounds of clothes.

Ten days and counting.

winter sunset

You can't make up colours like these.

And under the category of "Farm Art," I also included the pork sign.  Apparently I drew it in high school for my Dad to stencil it on the hog trailer.  A week ago, my Dad made the frame from old wood.  We put it together on Christmas Day, and hung it up in the garage this afternoon.  Doesn't every garage look better with fine art?