Thursday Thoughts: As Winter Approaches

The old Indian said, in regard to Daylight Saving Time,  “You cut a foot off of the top of the blanket, and sew it to the bottom of the blanket.  Only the government would think that makes a longer blanket.”  Just so.  Still we follow this ritual twice a year, and have just completed the Autumn edition.  Suddenly it’s getting dark earlier in the day, and just at a time when we are losing daylight to the advance of the season.

I have long been amazed at the regularity and precision of our north Georgia climate.  We have wet years and dry ones, cooler and warmer, but the seasons occur right on schedule.  I have lived and worked in many places.  I’m here to tell you that this seasonal regularity is not everywhere so constant.

As usual, mid-Autumn arrived right on schedule.  Temps have dropped, and the wind has picked up.  We can expect late-Autumn to arrive on or about Thanksgiving.

For cyclists, and other outdoors folk, attempting to figure out just what is coming next is always an entertaining challenge.  Rest assured, we all know that Winter is coming, but what kind of a Winter are we facing?

Usually, by this time of year, I have a pretty good notion of just what we are facing.  The long range forecasting and climatology folks are pretty good at what they do.  But the global climate state is a bit confusing right now.  Basically, it’s about even money, either we get a Winter similar to , and a bit harsher than last year, cold early, a good chance of snow events, and then an early warming.  Or, we go with a warmer and drier Winter.  All the big boys in the business are hedging their bets.

What does this mean to me?  It means that I don’t really know just what to prepare for.  So, by long standing policy, I’m getting ready for the worst.  I’m digging out all of the heavy cold and wet weather gear, and making sure the trainer and roller are working well.  If we get a rough one, the stationary devices can be life savers.

{Incidentally, here’s a neat trick.  Last year, when the weather was truly awful, I

{pulled the trainer out onto the porch.  I’d gear up for the cold part of the

{weather, but I could ride under shelter, and (mostly) out of the wind.  I was still

{outside, but not facing the total challenge.

So, as the Autumn leaves finish falling, I’m getting braced for the worst, and hoping for the best.  Cold weather clothing is in place.  Rain gear to hand and ready.  Good lights are in stock and tested.  Lot’s of lubricants and cleaning supplies on hand.  And I have a goodly number of indoor projects lined up.  It’s time to stiffen the resolve, and (figuratively) gird the loins.  Winter provides us with big challenges as we ride, but the rewards are great also.

By the way, here’s one last little bit of almost Folk Wisdom.  The week of Thanksgiving seems to be a pretty good model for the Winter.  Watch it and see.