Photo: 3+ hour single-speed ride, 7:00 a.m., 21 degrees, on the lonely road to Johnson County

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,200 yds (ytd 37,000 yds.)
Bike: 95 miles (ytd 667 mi.)
Run: 33 miles (ytd 251 mi.)

"If you want to hear the old voices, drive on a road that lets you add your shadow to those that have been gathering for years. Take the back roads." - James Lileks

Photo: Two-hour run,
6:00 a.m., -16 degrees
(-31 windchill), Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,300 yds
(ytd 32,800 yds.)
Bike: 67 miles (ytd 572 mi.)
Run: 31 miles (ytd 218 mi.)
Number of others spotted outside (excluding the dude waiting for the bus): 0

Hell has indeed frozen over... and it can be found near the end of 29th Avenue.

Photo: Three-hour single-speed ride, 7:00 a.m., 12 degrees, the 'skirts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 5,000 yds (ytd 27,500 yds.)
Bike: 95 miles (ytd 505 mi.)
Run: 31 miles (ytd 187 mi.)

Mostly gravel, some pavement, a bit o' single track and one very peeved dog... none of which holds a candle to the following day's skunk encounter.

Photo: Windy, cold single-speed ride, 7:30 a.m., 13 degrees, sub-zero windchill, somewhere in East Central Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,300 yds (ytd 22,500 yds.)
Bike: 73 miles (ytd 410 mi.)
Run: 31 miles (ytd 156 mi.)

All you need is a single speed...and layers...and a B-A-L-A-C-L-A-V-A...and water bottles that don't freeze...and hot chocolate...and a warm shower...and a lack of common sense.