After a couple of folks suffered frozen tongue syndrome in the early 70s, a warming tape was installed in the traditional licking area to keep the surface above freezing.

For awhile I wondered if they would have to rotate the licking / kising area to even out the wear, but I guess human saliva isn’t as corrosive as I thought. The same spot has been in use since I was a kid.

I’ve always wondered who the first person was and it’s a word-of-mouth thing. It’s not described in any tourist info I’ve seen. People just see someone else lined up to do it and think it’s a hoot to have their picture taken.

By the way Jan, when you come to St. Louis, the Park Service there has a wonderful tradition of letting folks put their tongue, yes their tongue, against The Arch and be photographed. IF you need more explanation I will save you the trouble of asking for more. They will and encourage you to lick the St. Louis Arch. Again, I’m almost certain Ken has photos of that too…

Jan, mam, not only is there cold, there is wind chill, which takes into account both the temperature AND the wind speed.

When you are riding into the wind and / or going very fast, you get VERY cold.

If you have on arm warmers and leg warmers and a jacket, your core and extremities may be warm (or, at least, not so cold).

The problem exists when those parts of you which may be shrunken considerably, but are still near and dear to your heart experience that wind chill with nothing but a tiny piece of lycra between it and Arctic frostbite.

In the absence of proper cold-weather clothing, a sock may be substituted as an enclosure device. Because of aforementioned shrinkage, a baby sock may be sufficient.

Do you need more detail?

I might pack my Brompton folding bicycle if I was heading for North Carolina right now, but I don’t think you would catch me actually riding it in 30 degree weather.

More power to ya.