Yesterday I rode outside for the first time in over two weeks, my basement internment has been momentarily paused to allow a quick jaunt to the Saddle River Bike Path. I only rode on the path today, but I did it for two hours—in a row. Those who know the SRBP know that this is a herculean achievement because the path tends to be a bit repetitive, it’s probably a lot like this "centrally located park" so many New Yorkers speak of. I rode the path because I knew the stalwart SRBP crew would have surely cleared the snow away by this point, and I was right. The asphalt gremlins of the Bergen County Parks Department had whisked away most of the snow and ice, their efforts to keep the SRPB clear are an inspiration, and I was proud to roll my tires over the fruits of their hard work.

In other news, there is no other news. I have been able to return to riding my BH bicycle after the BH Bicycle Company sent me a replacement seat post after after the bolt on my old seat post broke in half, leaving one half snugly wedged in the threads of that seat post, taunting me with its wedge-ed-ness. I was forced to ride my back-up bike, known to me as the Cannondale Don Strock to my BH Bob Griese (if you get that reference you are ooooold). The Strock is a fine piece of equipment, and it performed admirably, but it was nice to be riding Griese again. (Say that last sentence out loud, yes, I wrote that entire paragraph as a set up to write "riding Griese"—yup, wife, two kids, a mortgage and I’m writing elaborate Bob Griese set up puns).

But I digress with about 10 minutes of Don Strock Google image searching, the fact remains that there is snow on the ground and I’m riding bikes. I rode over some snow on the SRBP yesterday and I’m not sure whether that was cross or not. The cross races I watch on the Svenness videos seem to have more hills, sand, mud and other people in them, so it might not be an apples to apples comparison, but that doesn’t change the fact that I felt pretty badass riding over six inch patches of snow. As I mentioned before, I’ve been indoors for extended periods of time lately.

I have also begun my interval training because boredom. If you’re going to attempt two hours sessions on the trainer, you need something to do with yourself other than fiddling with the remote (not a euphemism). Therefore I ride harder for finite periods of time. Sadly, this qualifies as "interesting", also interesting in this same manner: groin punches, head butting walls, jumping jacks onto handrails and the X Factor. I ride intervals whenever my phone tells me to, which adds a layer of surprise to my winter’s treadmill of grinding monotony.

Roman’s Beer Corner

In more uplifting news, beer is a thing, and you can acquire it quite easily. Many of you have stated an un-liking of seasonal varieties of beer, and to that I say, poppycock! (Sorry to 1890’s swear, but I feel very strongly about this.) Variety is the spice of life, and to retype a joke I made a long time ago, she’s also one of the lesser known Spice Girls—after Dignity and Chastity Spice—Spice Girl humor, it will live on forever! I say embrace the seasonal brews, otherwise every other day is just the same, riding Griese and never hitting the Strock.