An Ominous Sign

Jon, a friend at work (not Crazy John, but a different Jon), won the award last year for getting to work using a transportation alternative more days than anyone else in the company. His only mode of alternative transportation is a bike, and he beat out all the carpoolers, walkers, bus riders and telecommuters. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing it's probably not the first time he's won it. We park our bikes in the men's bathroom and his is as much a fixture as the sink or mirror.

When I pulled in on Monday, my bike radar immediately went off: Jon's bike was wearing studded tires. Of course I gave him the obligatory krap about his lawlessness, considering that studs are not legal on Washington roads until a month from now.

Yeah, it's a touch early - they're brand new and he's just breaking them in on dry pavement, like the manufacturer recommends. But still. Forget about squirrels and nuts. This is proof positive that winter is on its way.