The Polar Bear Ride
 

The Polar Bear Ride is an honor system ride done on New Years Eve or New Years Day. The ride must be at least an hour in duration and pics required. Then buy the patch. http://www.piperspatches.biz/PolarBearRide.html

I was going to do this yesterday, but with the temp hanging around 1F and 35 mph wind gusts, going back to bed made much more sense. Today, the temps were much better but the wind was still there.

12:55, 28/30F. I could never really read this old thermometer.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps78ab1a9d.jpg

13:00, I'm off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps0506d4ed.jpg

13:40, my turn around. Country Donuts in Crystal Lake, IL. Better than Dunkin or Timmy's. Had a cuppa and French donut.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psa4c6cf0a.jpg

14:02, the corner of Ridge Rd and Springcreek Rd in Barrington Hills, IL. Home of the Horsey Set.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps6e85862b.jpg

14:29, back home. 35 miles.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps270e1c6f.jpg

Only things that happened that are worth mentioning are the winds gusts that blew across an open gravel pit. Almost blew me off the road.
The other was that I unknowingly left one of the helmet vents open. I wear a Turtle Fur balaklava under the helmet in cold weather and it is quite warm. Warm equals moisture and that moisture was drawn out of the helmet and instantly froze. I was wondering where the ice crystals were coming from on a clear day.

Not surprised that the donuts are better than Timmy's. That's not saying much. I'd take Krispy Kreme any day.

My parents were visiting over Christmas, so my Dad and I went for a dual sport ride on Dec 26th. I wore headgear that's similar to a balaclava.

Country Donuts>Krispy Kreme:)

I'll take your wise words on that.

All I meant was I'd take KK over Timmy's.

In KKs defense, I've only had them once. They were 'okay'. I haven't had any since the reorganization.

Dunkin and Timmy's will do if there is nothing else around, like in Houghton, ME. There, it's Timmy's or MickeyDees. Timmy's is right next to the hotel, so it wins. And their coffee ain't half bad.

I don't really care for KK. The Casey's donuts I like.

I'm about to start a war...

In Canada, I find Timmy's regular coffee to be a vile, nasty blonde roast mess. Their dark roast is ok.

I'll take a dark roast from just about any quality coffee shop any day.

Never had a Timmy's. I think the same of Starbucks. Most gas station coffee is better.

Nah. I said 'ain't half bad'. That's the same as 'ain't half good'.;)

I meant start a war with fellow Canadians. Saying you don't like Timmy's in Canada is like saying you're not a hockey fan. It violates some ordinance.

Oh, that's ok then. Keep it on your side of the line.;)

But, I learned of this a week or so ago. Be aware, some language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E064kb3UnU

BTW, I speak the Upper Midwest American English dialect, so I say 'eh?'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_M...erican_English

So we all speak the same language.

So you get funny looks in Kansas, too?

Yep. I probably sound more like a Canadian from the South.:hmm:

As a point of fact, you can drink legally at 18 years old in Alberta.

It's a shame that the video shows all of the worst beers in Canada. It would be like boasting about PBR.