Despite the recent record-high temperatures, I've been off my bike recently. Why? I've been out of town for a few days, visiting my grandmother. She and my grandfather (my father's parents) have been a source of stability in my life. They bought their house in 1947, and she lives there still (my grandfather died in February of 2006). My trips east have been too few of late--a function of lack of resources and lack of vacation time--but it was good to get back. I plan to attend the Louisville Bicycle Club's New Year's Day ride tomorrow, and if weather cooperates ride to work for my return to the working world Friday.