There is a whole week of 2010 left, and I was dreaming of getting in 50-100 more miles — but then I saw that the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Sunday to Monday. The forecast is for accumulations over a foot with wind gusts over 40mph. Whiteout.

I woke up on Wednesday Dec. 22 to find the temperature was going to be 35° with no wind. So I took a double dose of oatmeal and did River Road, then turned at the base of the hill to Alpine instead of climbing back up to 9W. The last time I did River Road, I had to stop three times going up that hill, and I was afraid.

I saw only 3 other riders, and nobody else on River Road. They missed a good day.

I’m at the limit of my cold weather riding experience and nothing bad is happening. I’m comfortable, but it takes longer to warm up and I want more protection for my fingers, toes, knees, and crotch.

Riding in cold weather is fun! Clear skies, few other cyclists, and new things to learn: how to layer-up quickly, how to look behind while every square inch of face is covered, and how to keep the bike lubricated and adjusted in cold weather.

New stuff on this ride: Loki Gear liner hat purchased at Paragon in NYC. It fits under my helmet and can be worn as a balaclava or neck gaitor. With glasses, I have no skin exposed anywhere. I like it.

Every week I add a new piece of cold weather clothing. Louis Garneau neoprene shoe covers really do cover mountain bike shoes. { Added Dec 22: The front bottom can tear if you walk on your toes. I want to see you walk uphill without doing that. Maybe I can patch the soles with electrical tape or a scrap of rubber. }

{ Note added a few hours later. } I visited the Louis Garneau website and found  the shoe covers for $10 less than Performance Bicycle. I requested a credit under the “Low Price Promise.” Will I have to do this for every product I buy from Performance?

You can see some interesting features from the photo.  The Reynolds 531 frame has old-school geometry, with a long wheelbase, gentle seat tube angle, and long reach brakes. The frame is not stiff, and is not good for loaded touring. Over the years I replaced all the parts except for the headset and seat tube. I changed the gearing to the then-popular half step pattern, which is why the chainrings are 42/46.

When I got to Athens, Ohio this summer, I borrowed a road bike and started riding after a lapse of many years. My endurance returned right away, at least in the flats. I was obviously meant to do this, and I mourn giving up the sport when I moved into my tiny Manhattan apartment.

If you’re interested, the bike has mostly Shimano 105 components. I’m used to a more aggressive, crouched riding position, but I can always change the stem and bars later. They tell me lots of guys my age are returning to bicycling after a long absence, and the industry has responded by building frames appropriate for middle aged backs.

The house was at a low point in the road, across from a small mountain. The overloaded flood drains gushed water up from a manhole cover in the street until waves from passing SUV’s were lapping against the front steps.