The great escape

In seasons past, I haven't really been one to take advantage of those freaky-warm winter or spring days, when it's quite suddenly 65 degrees and sunny and wonderful. Most of that was due to where I worked.

But now, firmly ensconced in a job that's all about skipping out of work and going for a ride, I ... uh, skipped out of work and went for a ride yesterday. For whatever reason, this one was too good to pass up. It was going to be in the 50s (!) and sunny (!!). Also, this:

Summer kit! Summer kit on December 30 in Omaha, Nebraska. Through much of the ride, I felt like we were getting away with something. Like, "Oh, man, if they ever find out we wore shorts and short sleeves in December ... ."

Of course, that feeling ended sometime between 2 and 2:30 when we rolled past the zoo. Lions. Lions everywhere, devouring children. The gust of wind that hit us before we crossed I-80 on our way back downtown was not the warm, angry wind we encountered earlier on the Keystone. No, it was cold and angry. And then it got colder. By the time we made it downtown, it was 55 degrees and falling fast. I stopped and put arm warmers and gloves on — I packed a vest, warmers and gloves, just in case — and we headed back to the store.

By the time we rolled in, it was down to 50 degrees. Just 30 minutes later, wind chills were in the low 30s. Nice timing.

For me, yesterday's turn was all the more ridiculous because of the running I did when I was in Iowa over the weekend. On Sunday, it was 15 degrees. I put Mad Alchemy Mellow embrocation on under my running tights. I wore heavy gloves and thick wool socks. On Tuesday, it was slightly warmer: 17.

But when we came home Tuesday night it was 40 in Omaha. And then yesterday ... wow.

Right now, of course, it's 15 degrees with wind chills well below zero. And it's been snowing. It was awesome while it lasted. Hopefully we'll see it again soon in a week or two.