Studded Tires

My boss suggested throughout the day that he drive me home after work. I suggested that I biked by choice. Some people just don't get it. I have other options. I could even attempt to drive in this mess. Actually, it is very generous that people offer to go so far out their way to help. He has even offered to loan me an extra car that he doesn't use in the past. Granted, the road conditions were a little extreme. I guess it is the thought that counts, and maybe I am a little crazy.

After work I was struggling with my Kryptonite U-lock. I leave my regular lock at work, around a beam. Today it was completely frozen stuck. I had to use the back-up Kryptonite that was also stuck. Somehow I managed to open it in the morning, and it was something of a struggle to liberate my bike in the evening. While I was fussing with it, another intrepid cyclist prepared to leave. He didn't even lock his bike-- out of the few bikes that made it in today, I was the only one who locked up. I eyed his studded tires-- some basic commuter tires with a few studs. He was staring at my Extremes. I couldn't tell if he was curious, envious, or thought I was a nutjob for requiring so many studs. Then again, they are called Extreme for a reason.

I took off across the glare ice parking lot. It defies logic that I can bike across something that I could not even walk on without falling down. It still stresses me out and freaks me out that the physics of this even work. Ice is to be avoided at all costs. These things thrive on ice. I left the lot and headed through the woods. I discovered a new way home across a pasture, since I could follow other bicycle tracks. I made it all the way home without stopping, including the hill behind our house that should be called "the slide." My neighbor was playing with her son in the street. She commented how dangerous it was to bike on this ice. I still can't believe it is possible to bike on this. Tonight it is still snowing. It should be another interesting morning.