It truly boggles my mind what some people will do when "driving".  I'm fairly used to seeing people on cell phones, it seems to be about one out every ten people or so.  The ones that really amaze me are those that read books or newspapers, primp in front of the completely misaligned rear-view mirror, etc.  I witnessed a new one today that was just jaw dropping.  A person was driving their car, with three dogs on their lap!  Two of them were fairly small, but the third was about the size of a small Labrador.  I could rarely see the driver for all the fir in the side and front windows.  Truly amazing.  Fortunately, I was sitting stopped at crossing and I could just watch the circus drive by.

There is a major highway projecting happening near Providence and as a result, it's causing quite a mess with traffic.  RIPTA, Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority, is making a big push to get people who work in the most affected area to leave their cars at home and seek alternate transportation.  As part of their effort, they started the Keep Eddy Moving project, Eddy street being the one of the major roads that now looks like it has been repeatedly bombed.  I was really happy to see that they included incentives for people to commute by bike to or through the area.  Anyone willing to sign a pact that they will bike commute just 52 days this year, is eligible to receive a free t-shirt, messenger bag, headlight, and tail light.   They are ripping up the bike trail along my commute, perhaps I can convince DOT to match the deal 😉

I received some hokeyspokes for Christmas and had my first opportunity to use them on my commute home yesterday.  Three people in cars commented on them.  In all likelyhood, these same people would have noticed me without the spoke light show, but at least I know they are visible from a car and perhaps someone who wouldn't have noticed me otherwise now will.  My three year old son is also a big fan, although he now requests that I go ride back and forth on the street in front of the house so he can watch me go by.  I should try and figure out a way to get a picture of all the nighttime lights I'm now running, I must truly look like a Christmas tree.

Shawn Hauser is stirring up some noise with his Pink Bicycle Project.  He's been racing for 14 years and starting in 2007 he will be racing on a pink bike, likely to stand out among the other professional riders.  His hope is to bring more awareness to breast cancer, drum up any sponsorship he can, and try to convince as many race organizers to wave his entrance fees and donate the money to the Hope Foundation instead.  I love to see it when relatively unknown people take it upon themselves to work for good causes.

The 2006 cyclocross nationals are in our backyard this year, held just South of Providence, RI.  Nathan and I decided to swing by for an in person view of the event.  Having never been to bike race of any sort, I wasn't quite sure what we were going to encounter, but I figured it was too good a chance to pass up.  We ended up having a good time and I would recommend it for a first time bike racing event.  Unlike some sort of road race, you can be completely surrounded at cyclocross.  The course is quite compact and it's easy to find a vantage point that isn't too busy and provides interesting viewing.  We caught part of the afternoon open track/warm-up time and then the first part of the under 23 race.  We posted some pictures, nothing award wining in the bunch, but gives you some idea of the course and riders.

I passed the 5000 mile mark this morning on my way to work.  It was also the first snow of the winter, what a great way to celebrate this milestone.  Although I didn't really need to, I road the mountain bike with studded tires.  For the majority of the ride, the knobbies, and thus the studs as well, went through to bare pavement.  There were a few sections where they didn't though and it reminded me of why I enjoy riding in the snow; no tire noise, few people on the bike trail, and plenty of wildlife activity still.  It was one of those really wet snows, temperatures hovering around the freezing point, and the sun has since come out, so I'm sure the ride home will be on mostly dry pavement.  It amazes me that just last week, I was riding home in shorts, short sleeve jersey, and a wind vest.

This morning was my first commute in sub-freezing temperatures this fall.  I noticed a number of cars with the remnants of frost scrapings on their windows, so winter must be on it's way.  The bike path was actually quite crowded for the temperatures, I guess people are out with the hope of getting a little exercise in before Thanksgiving arrives.

I spent the end of last week riding through just about the worst weather I can imagine; heavy rain with temperatures in the low 40s.  It sure got me wishing for slightly colder weather, so I could ride through snow instead of rain.  This week, I've ridden home from work three nights now, with just shorts.  The temperatures have been getting in the mid 60's during the day.  Absolutely crazy!

In other news, I just placed an order for a product called Slipstreamz.  It's a product that you attach to your helmet straps that shields your ears from the prevailing wind.  They debuted at this years Interbike and I'm intrigued by the idea.  It's a company based out of South Africa and the product must be doing pretty well, as the only online retailer they are selling through is back ordered.  As I head into winter, I had forgotten how much the wind picks up and made me realize how nice it will be if these little wind deflectors actually work.  Once I actually get my hands on them, I'll update the post and let people know if they do indeed work.