Brrrr!

[SheFly]

http://bp3.blogger.com/_lc7kYfzRz9Y/Ra7lNwNILHI/AAAAAAAAAHk/TR-nphIuQIw/s200/temp1.jpgIt seems that at least some of winter has finally arrived in New England. Yesterday when I got up, the thermometer read 6F (-14C). Still no snow here, but it was plenty cold all day. After work, the temp was a balmy 15F (-9C). What to do? Ride, of course!

I dressed in multiple layers - wool ski socks, bike shorts and knee warmers as the first bottom layer, and then a pair of wind proof winter tights over top; sports bra, undershirt, wicking hoodie and lined wool jersey topped with a wind vest and jacket on the top; added toe covers over my wool socks, and slipped on my Lake winter shoes for my feet; hands had a pair of liner gloves with an outer layer of fleece-lined ski gloves; fleece earband, hood (from hoodie) and helmet on my head. I felt like the Michelin man!

http://bp2.blogger.com/_lc7kYfzRz9Y/Ra7lUgNILII/AAAAAAAAAHs/WoQ5weim91s/s400/cgr1a.jpg

I headed out with the boys. Riding the road to get to the woods was chilly - my face got a little cold, but the rest of me was ok. Once we were in the woods, I quickly warmed up. After a few days of rain, and then cold temps here, the trails were pretty solid, but not as icy as I expected. The ice came whenever we needed to cross a bridge.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_lc7kYfzRz9Y/Ra7jCgNILFI/AAAAAAAAAHU/04LDeCn1APs/s320/bridge.jpg

After doing some really fun riding, it was time to head home when my feet started to get really cold. I ran for awhile on one trail just to try to get them warmed up some! The only issue was that the ride home was mostly downhill, and a lot of roads, making it VERY COLD; in fact, I ended up with an ice cream headache on the way home!

Changed into warm, dry clothes and ate some dinner, so am warm and happy as I write this. Crazy? Yes indeed. We usually do one really cold ride a year though, and have ridden in colder temps. Managed to ride 10.5 miles in 1:40. I think I'll ride the trainer in the basement next week - it's definitely warmer ;) .

http://bp2.blogger.com/_lc7kYfzRz9Y/Ra7n1gNILJI/AAAAAAAAAH0/OW78k9dTHGc/s400/group.JPG

[Adventure Girl]

Damn!:eek:

[Bluetree]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

SheFly, this may be Team Estrogen, but you officially belong to the Team Cajones Club!

[maillotpois]

Good for you for getting out in that!! You look well bundled up. Great photos!

I just did a 17 miler this morning before light. I really wanted to test out my new schmidt hub and light system. It was between 32 - 33 the entire time and there was ice on the roads. Not as cold as your ride, but cold enough. The worst part of the ride was in the shower afterward. My tights (2 pairs) were clearly not warm enough and my legs and butt were BRIGHT red. When they started to defrost it hurt SO badly! I should have worn my rain pants as more of a windbreaker. (My top half was fine.)

[Veronica]

Good for both of you!

I'm having a hard time getting out. I sweat so much that I get really cold if I stop at all.

The pictures were awesome! Thanks for sharing.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

She-Fly, you're my HERO! :)

[Blueberry]

I admire all of you! I just cannot make myself get up before work and ride when it's cold (or anytime for that matter - I usually have to leave by 7:20 as it is). By the time I get home, I'm ready for sleep this time of year.

My hat is off to you all!!

CA

[SheFly]

:D

BlueTree - believe it or not, I've been told that before. I think it's the Team Stupidity club sometimes though ;) .

Sarah - trust me when I tell you that I know that defrosting pain! My fingers took about 30 mins to thaw out, and the pain was intense...

V - sweating was my issue last night. I actually over-heated on the way out so that part way through the ride, my core actually got cold. That downhill ride home was downright chilly!

Lisa - too much pressure being a hero ;) . One thing to remember - I'm actually Canadian :D .

So, let me also let all of you know that I did this ride somewhat under duress. DH insisted that I go out with them so that I could have something to write about on my new blog! Sadly, it sounded like a good idea and reason to me... In truth, though, heading out in temps over 20 is really not an issue for me usually - I like the cold.

SheFly

[Bad JuJu]

So, let me also let all of you know that I did this ride somewhat under duress. DH insisted that I go out with them so that I could have something to write about on my new blog! Sadly, it sounded like a good idea and reason to me... In truth, though, heading out in temps over 20 is really not an issue for me usually - I like the cold.
See how dangerous those blogs are? ;)
So where's your blog? Can we read it?

[Deanna]

Dang SHeFly, now I feel like a wimp! I won't even do my measly 4.2 mile commute if the thermometer reads below 30. I'm using my recovery from a cold as an excuse.

[li10up]

Wow, I was feeling pretty good about going out in the upper 30s, low 40s. It's been in the upper 20s to low 30s for the last few days. Don't want any part of that!! My face would freeze...can't stand having anything over my mouth or nose. I'M IMPRESSED!!!

[telegirl]

Isn't it funny how normally, downhills are fun and when you are tired, you look forward to them.....then, it turns cold and all you can think of is 'damn, not another downhill'!

Good Job! You Da Woman!:cool:

Hubby just tried to go out today, but even with the ice and frozen snow, there was too much on the trails and he kept breaking through and not able to get traction. So off to the trainer!!

Going skiing this weekend? At least it is cold enough to make snow!!

[Veronica]

Dang SHeFly, now I feel like a wimp! I won't even do my measly 4.2 mile commute if the thermometer reads below 30. I'm using my recovery from a cold as an excuse.


Oh I feel better now. I've commuted as low as 26 this week. But it's only 2 miles each way. :p

V.

[caligurl]

After work, the temp was a balmy 15F (-9C). What to do? Ride, of course!



wow! ya.... what blue tree said... cajones!

what would "I" do? turn the heater up to 80 degrees and put on my warm jammies and stay inside where it's warm! yep.... that's what i'd do!

[HappyAnika]

You are braver than I. I can barely stand to walk out to my car when it's 3F. I can't believe you didn't have a balaclava! When it's that cold my face HURTS, and that's just standing there with no wind. I agree with Bluetree. Cajones.

[Adventure Girl]

Anybody ever try these things called Pogies or Moose Mitts? They are fur-lined wind-stop things that attach to your handlebar that make a nice little cocoon of warmth for your hands. You ride wearing "normal" gloves inside.

http://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te_shirts/heft-pogies01a.jpg
http://www.allweathersports.com/winter/pogie1b.jpg

[SheFly]

See how dangerous those blogs are? ;)
So where's your blog? Can we read it?

Only if you care to: http://twoadventures.blogspot.com

WARNING! I am a snowmobiler, and you will find pics of that activity here as well....

SheFly

[SouthernBelle]

In that first pic with the lights & reflectors, You look rather alien. :D

[SheFly]

Going skiing this weekend? At least it is cold enough to make snow!!

Yup - and HOPEFULLY, some snowmobiling too.....

[SheFly]

Anybody ever try these things called Pogies or Moose Mitts? They are fur-lined wind-stop things that attach to your handlebar that make a nice little cocoon of warmth for your hands. You ride wearing "normal" gloves inside.


Excellent idea! We use something like that on our snowmobiles, but had never thought of it on our bikes. I think we have a spare pair kicking around... Thanks for the idea!

SheFly

[7rider]

Yup - and HOPEFULLY, some snowmobiling too.....

Brrrr, is right!
I can't believe you rode that cold without a face mask on! Yikers.
It's nice to see it cold again in the North East. Here's a view from the American Express chair last Friday at Stratton Mtn (Vermont). Sad the lack of snow. But with the cold, the areas all have the snow guns going full-bore.

[hellosunshine]

total respect,blimey!!!we're heading for a "cold" snap of about 5'c.shall take it in me stride now.


what are your day light hours at the moment?we're noticably getting lighter.snowdrops almost out etc etc.

[Velobambina]

She -- Sorry that the cold feet issue made you cut your ride short :D Next time, chemical foot warmers--one on top of your socks above your toes and one on your socks below your toes--will keep your feet warmer for a longer period of time.
You will be my inspiration to get out and ride tomorrow and Sunday before sunrise (temps in the 20s and tomorrow, probably windy to add insult). You are one tough gal!!!

[rocknrollgirl]

It was 17 degrees on our night mt bike ride this week. I did pretty well except for the feet too. i am going to try the foot warmers next week.

we do wheels down at 5pm, and the nice part is we did not have to put our lights on for a good 20 mins or so....we are getting there!


Fun stuff............

[Geonz]

http://www.icebike.org/ doesn't seem to have much recent stuff, but there are lots of good tips for riding cold.

If you start doing it more than once a year, you'll find it isn't so bad :) When you just rode in 13 degrees the day before, 30 seems like a heat wave!

I remember HIppo Hands on the motorcycle (and that's always my frame of reference for cold 'cause it's **so** much colder than bicycling!)... might just check into them.

And YESSSS the days are getting LONGER!!!

[Geonz]

This morning it was toasty at 30... but yesterday it was 14 for the commute. It's these snow flurries that start accumulating that worry me, but it's all about the layers.
One cold ride a year... hardly seems enough to appreciate the spring :)
On the other hand, if training is the goal... in the cold weather you have to adjust the ride to the weather, not your training needs. Those funny little things you stick the back wheel into are 'way better for that.
We're having the next indoor time trial this SUnday. I'm hoping a few more women actually sign up for it - there's *something* about it that even the ladies who like to ride fast and race don't like (gosh, they're all afraid I"ll beat 'em ...SNORK!!!). Ah, well...

[SheFly]

Brrrr, is right!
I can't believe you rode that cold without a face mask on! Yikers.
It's nice to see it cold again in the North East. Here's a view from the American Express chair last Friday at Stratton Mtn (Vermont). Sad the lack of snow. But with the cold, the areas all have the snow guns going full-bore.

Regina - I totally forgot about your ski trip to the northland! Did you get any decent runs in? I hope so.

BTW - we were going to ski at Sunday River this afternoon, but the temp is 9F, and the windchill is about -20! I think even I will stay indoors today (although we did go out on the sleds this morning...)

SheFly

[Veronica]

BTW - we were going to ski at Sunday River this afternoon, but the temp is 9F, and the windchill is about -20! I think even I will stay indoors today (although we did go out on the sleds this morning...)

SheFly

Gee... I so miss living in Maine. NOT! Although sledding could be fun. Stay warm ladies!

V.

[SheFly]

Gee... I so miss living in Maine. NOT! Although sledding could be fun. Stay warm ladies!

V.

Aw - c'mon - it's not THAT bad :D . And what's San Fran got over Bethel anyway???? :p

Hope you are having some warmer temps out there than you were.

SheFly

[Veronica]

It's across the country from my family. :D

V.

[7rider]

Regina - I totally forgot about your ski trip to the northland! Did you get any decent runs in? I hope so.

BTW - we were going to ski at Sunday River this afternoon, but the temp is 9F, and the windchill is about -20! I think even I will stay indoors today (although we did go out on the sleds this morning...)

SheFly

Well, we got 1.5 days in. Friday was great. Not a lot of trails open, but nobody was on them. Ski right onto the lift -- just the way we like it! :cool:
Saturday was rain :mad: and sunday was sleet, but we skied a bit anyway. But it was enough to show that I really like my new skis - much better than the old K-Mart specials I had been on!

BTW - I learned to ski at Sunday River!