Spring could be in the air but how can we really tell. Officially (according to the ‘net) the following are signs of Spring.
Snowdrops – well, not so sure about these as they usually pop up about the same time as we get our annual 1 inch of snow in the UK that brings the country to a standstill. Indeed they were up around here when it happened again this year.
Dawn Chorus – not sure about that as since I retired I’m seldom awake at that time any more to check.
Trees starting to bud – fair comment on this one and indeed some of our trees are starting to show signs of budding. So there is hope in the air there, though nature is so confused these days that some things are in flower in the middle of winter, though our Acer trees are definitely showing signs of sprouting.
Bees Foraging – well I did get whacked by a large flying insect this weekend that could have been a Bumble Bee but I didn’t stop to ask.
Buzzards Skydancing – hmm, nice and I did see a pair last weekend doing precisely that. Could be………
Though surely the greatest sign of Spring is the appearance of the white plumage of the Spring Cyclist as the cycling community starts to shed its winter coat of long leggings and arm warmers to reveal their fresh, new, startlingly white, Spring Coat. On that basis, around here, this weekend revealed the first signs of Spring with the odd outbreak of legs and arms in bright Spring Coat after some 4 months of hibernation.
The second sign is the opening of the Spring Classics. Picks open next week for the inaugural OTR League. Be there (well, here actually) or forever be in Hibernation!
PS – Expect the odd glitch and/or cock up as we tune the process.
PPS – That is a Primrose in the photo.
Spring? Not here in Wisconsin. Two weeks ago we had a wind chill of -53! 48 hours later the temp was in the high 30s/low 40s. Then we have snow. Lots and lots of snow. and more sub zero wind chills. I’ve done four outdoor rides this year. This weekend was looking promising, but sleet/rain looks likely. It might be a fat bike weekend if I can sneak onto the snow mobile trails (they basically self-groom). Riding in 5-6″ of snow sucks. Spring classics start soon. I just can’t get too worked up about Oman, Colombia, TDU. All bikes are… Read more »
I like to think I ride in nearly all weathers but I probably would draw the line at deep snow.
On balance I think it’s the -53 that would put me off more…………….
I’ve decided it’s Spring. I felt recovered enough from my rib injuries this week to do some efforts and was kind of warm. Ish.