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First off let me say, I've finally stopped shivvering long enough to type. It was a bit nippy this morning at 26 degrees with a fifteen mph wind out of the south..... just the direction I needed to go. Riding into the wind, the wind chill comes down even more. Got down the road a bit toward the highway and there is a place that has four big dogs, that absolutely hate bicyclists. Usually, only one of them manages to sqeeze through the gate opening, but the rest must have went on a diet as soon I had four big dogs chasing me down the road barking and nipping at my heels. It was so bad that a passing motorist stopped to see if he could help, but by then, I had already stopped the bike and told the dogs in no uncertain terms exactly what was going to happen to their masculinity if they didn't go home. I don't think they liked the sound of that too much, so they all went back to the house. I won that round. On the way back, only one came out to give chase, and she didn't seem to be too dismayed by my threats, although she gave up rather quickly. Other than the sparring match with the dogs, the ride was uneventful. Struggling against the wind and cold going down, and enjoying the ride back with the wind at my back, which had now picked up to around 20mph. It warmed all the way up to 30 degrees when I got home.... a regular heat wave. This morning, I wore two pair of tights, a thermal undertop, a heavy winter-weight jersy, vest, and jacket. Along with a winter weight skull cap, and balaclava, heavy winter gloves, and shoe covers and wool socks. I felt like the Michelin man on a bicycle. With a mountain bike however, style isn't as important....staying unfrozen is. There were several places where ice was present on the road, so I was glad I had the mountain bike with knobbies, as well as slow speeds and I was able to avoid any problems. A total of 34 miles down and back, and lots of excersize chasing dogs.