Just Curious

Is this how little picnic tables are made?

March Being March

Saturday it definitely felt like Spring.

Sunday? Not so much. It was cooler and it rained and rained and rained.

But, it did clear off enough to offer up a sunset.

Over the weekend I got plenty of chances to test out the new helmet and so far, so good.

New Helmet

Last Monday I accidentally dropped my everyday cold weather helmet onto a marble floor. You can read the details here. Yesterday I got my new helmet. It is basically the same model of helmet but manufactured in 2012 rather than 2010.

It feels a little different on my head, but in a good way. Perhaps they have tweated the fit a little. Today I'll take it for a ride and I will know more. I liked the old helmet. It was noisy as are perhaps all modular helmets, but I wear ear protection and this wasn't a major problem for me. The biggest plus of my old CKX helmet was it didn't fog up. The old helmet had some air leaks which if I rode in a colder area might be a concern.

It is an inexpensive helmet.Yes, I could tell the difference in comfort when I tried on a Arai helmet the other day at Cyclegear and perhaps one day I will spend the money on a great helmet. This is not a great helmet. It is a good helmet. It is DOT approved and I feel satisfied it will protect my fragile little noggin.

The new helmet isn't white, but I think it is pretty visible. But, enough talk, time to ride.

Soon...

Even In The City

During the last ten days Heather and I have attended a Kanun recital by Denise Gill-Gurtan. It was wonderful.

We had the opportunity to experience Paco Pena and his Flamenco Company. He is among the greatest living Flamenco guitarists in the world. He did not disappoint. It, too, was wonderful.

Saturday night we were to see The Al-Andalus Ensemble. My friends Rabbi James Stone Goodman and Michael Castro were going to open for them. The show was going to be held in a venue I'd never been to before. It seemed a perfect reason for a ride. Isabelle and I scouted it out on Saturday afternoon.

The venue was the Union Avenue Christian Church. There are some wonderful details on the exterior of the building.

But, I was more taken by a tree across the street from the Church.

That night Jim and Michael totally nailed their short set.

Their offering was full of soul. It wasn't so much a performance as their being what they were offering us.

Later the headliners came out and they, too, were excellent. That said, it seemed to be more of a  performance. There seemed more veils between them and us in the audience than there had been with any of the other groups or artists we'd experienced lately. Still wonderful, but...not so open.


It occurs to me what a blessing it is to live where I am able to hear such wonderful music. I'm still amazed a small town kid from Central Michigan finds himself living in the City. Often times I feel out of place and wonder how I got here. But, a string of musical experiences like we've had over the last two weeks makes my heart open and my soul smile.


This morning it was 19F/-7C when Isabelle and I left the condo to do our usual Sunday morning bagel run.

Ah, the memory of good music. A good stead to ride . Good Company all around. And, warm bagels. Simple pleasures. Life is good, even in the City.

River Levels

There was an article in today's St. Louis Post Dispatch about the Mississippi River water levels. Some have asked about what was happening. You can click here to read the article. Enjoy.

One Day Closer To Spring

Now that I have heated grips on both my bikes/scooters I have a new measure for knowing when I've been riding my bikes in the correct ratio to driving the car. It is when I take off in the car, notice my hands are cold, and find myself squeezing the steering wheel to warm my fingers. I suspect those of you with heated grips will understand.

Likewise, I know something is amiss with my ride/drive ratio when I get on one of my bikes and before taking off I look for the seat belt.

Today was my first day out since last Wednesday. I realize that isn't very long to many of you, but over the last couple of years it has become usual for me to be off two wheels for much more than a day.

Today all I had to do was make it out of the alley and I'd be free. I'd been out earlier in the car to get bagels and coffee. I knew the streets were clear and dry.

After having my "duh" moment reaching for the Kymco's seat belt, I made it out of the alley without major mishap. I did, however, discover I like the double clutch system on the Symba much better in snow than the continuously variable transmission on the Kymco. The engagement of the clutch on the CVT was difficult for me to gauge and I found myself giving the Kymco too much throttle causing the rear wheel to break loose. Perhaps with practice this won't be a problem, but hopefully I won't have many opportunities to practice.

The ride was over the river to visit my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. And, once out of my alley it was an easy ride.

I remember when I was a kid the snow seemed to be deeper and the piles of snow higher. When my kids were little I began to wonder if part of it had to do with my scale of reference. I was littler then. I had similar thoughts today as I watched Alma walk across the snow. It was up to her knees! And, look at that pile of snow, to her it must appear to be a mountain.

The high temperature today was 42F/6C. This was causing lots of snow melt and water run off. I rode through water over the road a number of times on the way home. I'm suspecting with low temperatures well below freezing tonight the safe thing will be to drive to work again tomorrow. Oh well, at least it will be one day closer to Spring.