It sure feels like Winter today, Overnight the sky  cleared. It would have been great for riding — if not for the wind.

The temperature is 50 degrees. That wouldn\’t be quite so bad as long as I were dressed in leg warmers, extra socks, vest and jacket, skull cap, and full-fingered gloves. Unfortunately it\’s still blowing at 17 mph, and the chill factor is 44. The wind is from the Northeast, too, which would mean a nasty headwind on the way back home.

To me, this is cold weather. As usual, it\’s arrived quite suddenly. We had a few nights when it got down to about 73; but this abrupt switch from 73 to 20+ degrees cooler, plus a stiff wind, is a bit much. The high humidity of our climate is no help.

Years ago I had a coworker who had previously lived somewhere up North; I think it may have been Ohio. She said that her first Winter in New Orleans was the coldest she\’d ever been in her life. The dampness makes the chill penetrate right down to your bones.

Tomorrow won\’t be much different. Having months of being able to ride in shorts and short sleeves always spoils me. Adjusting to conditions like today\’s takes time. Not to mention that such weather makes my nose run like crazy, especially when I\’m exercising.  Oh, the joys of Winter!