Which one is the snowman?

I agree, Andrea did a great job with the editing. I Googled "Largest Lutheran congregations in the U.S." and Mt. Olivet was right there . . . at #2. Apparently, a church in Des Moines, IA (of all places) has overtaken them for the top spot.

Thank you for that informative (and humorous) advice, Keith. I'm on top of most of your helpful hints except for one glaring shortcoming. I have not been blessed with the ability to grow any significant facial hair for the warmth and tough-guy appearance you mentioned. For sure, the little scruff of hair on my chin serves to accomplish neither one of those features.

Also, thanks for reminding me about the Sorel boots. (I think you had another name for them the last time we discussed the cold-weather topic, but I can't remember what that name was.) I do, in fact, have a pair, but wasn't wearing them on the picture I posted of me in full regalia. Therefore, I replaced that picture with an older, but better, picture of me wearing those amazing boots. You can see it now if you want.  

It's 32-degrees here too. The bonus is that a little bit of snow fell last night. Of course, that meant a morning bike ride and a soon-to-be written Cycleblaze post.

That's okay, I'm not heroic enough to be admitted to Valhalla anyway.

Thanks Mike. I hope you don't come to regret that encouragement though. Things could get pretty wacky.

"... small children may scream and cry when you encounter them."

Happens to me all the time, regardless of the weather. Add in attractive women, members of the clergy, bankers, and general ordinary everyday folk and you have some idea of my world.

Hi,
As a former Twin Cities resident and equally former member of the Twin Cities Bike Club I feel no need to present my impeccable credentials in the field of winter biking. Anyone who has ever ridden the annual New Year’s Day ride with TCBC will attest that -30°F is not a barrier to a total winter ride experience. I do have some observations about the practice, so allow me to lay it on you as my advice for a successful winter bicycle ride. It should be noted that my advice is worth at least twice what you get paid for writing this blog.
You have the right idea with layers, but don’t forget ventilation. The enemy is sweat, which will freeze you solid if it gets just the slightest chance. Cycling produces sweat, so give it a place to go. Use socks that wick the sweat off your feet and loose jackets that allow air circulation so your armpits don’t end up stuck to your underwear and icicles don’t form inside your neckband.
If you don’t already have them, flat pedals especially non-metallic ones are a Very Good Idea. The broader the contact between shoe and pedal, the less likely the dreaded frozen spot on the sole of your foot. As a Minnesotan you should be equipped with adequate footwear. Sorels with felt liners worked well for me.
Facial hair is a good idea, too. Yes, it gets full of frost and mustaches collect icicles which the untrained will mistake for snot but are really just condensation freezing out. One plus is that facial recognition cameras will not be able to track you. On the other hand small children may scream and cry when you encounter them. Pay them no mind, they’ll get used to it. Just the same I wouldn’t try using the accumulated nose ice for emergency hydration. Also, imagine the impact of going into a truck stop looking like the reincarnation of John Beargrease. Long-haulers will make way out of respect. Or fear for what the lunatic might do, but you can take it anyway you want.
Anyway, I shall be right here awaiting developments as they say, reminiscing about days out on the prairie when WD40 was used as deicer for the derailleur and insulated thermoses replaced water bottles. That I shall do so in front of the wood stove with a hot cuppa should in no way detract from the wisdom I herby impart.
Cheers,
Keith

Just reading this journal entry has inspired me to get out today. After all, it's supposed to be a balmy 32F today, so I've got no excuse. Good job Greg!

That Lutheran church is on 50th. I think it's Mount Olivet Lutheran. I was told 12 years ago it was the biggest congregation Lutheran church in MN but who knows.
If you should watch that video again maybe use headphones so you can hear everything being said. Plus, at the very end, after the music stops and the snow if falling, you can hear the faint sounds of geese flying south in the snowstorm. I love how Andrea edited the video footage I came home with. Thanks for watching.

Valhalla is full already so you’re going to have to be content with the joys of bragging.

Sounds a reasonable conclusion to me, but I don't have an ankle band locked onto me... And I wear what some might consider more than enough insulation, but then windchill on hands and feet call for extreme measures. Plus I am actually a warm weather guy. I like 75-95 degrees and am not upset by 75 to 55 and can handle 55-30 with a bit of extra and below that, a lot of extra. My coldest was a -21 back in the early or mid 90s. Not a fun commute. Rain below 60 is out and snow more than 3 inches or so (when the back tire spins and I barely move) keeps me off the bike. I do enjoy light snow just below freezing when everything is so silent and the path smooth.

Keep the journal pages coming, Greg.!

I have to admit that sometimes I get the same impression when I see OTHER people riding their bikes in the snow. Like the guy I saw a few years ago. I had stopped at a busy intersection and I saw a cyclist crossing in front of me. In my opinion, he did not have enough clothing on him for the conditions. He also had a locked band around his ankle. I hate to be judgemental, but I think it was one of those things that the cops put on there to monitor your activities.

I meant to say my mom was 100 PERCENT Lutheran and Swede, not 100 Lutheran and Swede.