Rides: Dec. 6th-12th

[Owlie]

Today, I learned a few things:
1. My bike is a jealous creature. I normally don't have a problem with tightish turns. I fell over. (I'm fine, bike's fine. I'm just a little embarrassed and have a road-topography bruise on my knee.)
2. Riding in the afternoon in an urban area that's decided to hold a "We don't suck!" holiday event in multiple locations is a terrible idea.
3. I need to rethink my winter clothing somewhat. Warm, but not quite warm enough. I think just a long sleeve jersey should do it. (Primal, where is my order?)
4. My new jacket is awesome.
5. I need a new battery for my computer.
6. I am actually capable of repairing minor bike things. BF took a look at my bike when I got back and was surprised. :D
7. Sometimes, a mile and a half is enough.

(I can't wait to get back home to a non-urban area!)
Hopefully yours went better than mine.

[Ritamarie]

I had planned a 25 mile solo hill ride for today on my road bike, but the snow yesterday ended up being more than expected, so I took Ethel (my cross bike) out on the road. The shoulders were snow covered and though the roads had been salted they were still slushy and crusty in some parts. I stayed close to home and did two laps over a hilly route. Only 13.7 miles total, but that counts for 20 road bike miles ;) and I managed to climb 1300 feet in that short ride.

This is my first try at riding through the winter, and this was my most wintry day yet. I think I've got the clothes figured out except I needed warmer gloves on today. Last year, my last ride for the year was on November 2, and this year I had almost 600 miles in November, so that's progress. I'm finding I don't mind the cold, but I did mind the messy road surface today. Anyway, it was better than sitting in the house on the trainer!

My route was pretty rural, but the drivers that did come along were really ignorant today. Maybe they thought I shouldn't be out on the road.

[owlice]

Ritamarie, this is my first year of trying to ride through the winter, so whatever you've learned, please share, starting with clothes! Thank you!!

Owlie, sometimes a mile-and-a-half is, indeed, enough! Too bad about the fall; I'm glad it wasn't serious.

No ride for me today; I've been having a social day instead, meeting people for breakfast and then for an afternoon Messiah singalong.

[HillSlugger]

Yesterday's snow had me in on the rollers today. 30 miles. Ugh!

[Ritamarie]

Yesterday's snow had me in on the rollers today. 30 miles. Ugh!

30 miles on rollers??? How can you stand that? Do you watch t.v.? What???

My fondest roller memory was when I was home from college, and down in the basement at my parents house on the rollers. My dad walked by the basement door up on the first floor, saw the basement light was on, and hit the switch. :D

[HillSlugger]

30 miles on rollers??? How can you stand that? Do you watch t.v.? What???

My fondest roller memory was when I was home from college, and down in the basement at my parents house on the rollers. My dad walked by the basement door up on the first floor, saw the basement light was on, and hit the switch. :D

It was tough; took a few rest breaks. I was very glad when I was done.

Yes, I watch TV or DVDs. Today it was episodes 8 & 9 of Dexter.

[azfiddle]

It was cool but not cold out in the desert today - mid-50's and sunny for our midday ride. My husband and I rode up to Saguaro National Park and back, with a detour at the end to visit an LBS he's never been to, and I had just been to once. It was really pleasant.

[Owlie]

It was cool but not cold out in the desert today - mid-50's and sunny for our midday ride. My husband and I rode up to Saguaro National Park and back, with a detour at the end to visit an LBS he's never been to, and I had just been to once. It was really pleasant.

That sounds great. Mind if I pack up the bike and come hang out with you?

Or I could go hang out with BF's parents, but that would be awkward. (They're in Mesa.) I spoke to his mom earlier today. She was saying that she went out on a ride and thought it was cold (it was in the 60s). I laughed--I went out and it was barely 35 and the sun was setting!

[tprevost]

Medianox and I did a freezing cold ride in Knights Ferry... hitched a ride for a few miles one direction but had a great ride back after breakfast! It was supposed to be just under 24 miles but we ended up with a little over 15 ... great company! I was the Ninja, Medianox had the red jacket :p

[Karma007]

6 miles on the rollers today, which for me is a record. And considering that I'm coming off an 8 day/72 hour workweek, it was nice to do anything at all. Tomorrow maybe a run.

[Librarygirl]

Ooooh! I was SO excited about yesterday's (Sunday) ride! My first 'event' :) Have only been riding 3 or so months - a total newbie. It wasn't a serious one - just a navigational event riding around my hometown of Canberra in teams of two (I rode with the BF) - but went for four hours and covered plenty of kilometres for me! It was so much fun - one control point was on a little island in the middle of a lake, and a team member from each team had to swim across to it. Glad it wasn't me, although I think some people secretly enjoyed getting to strip down to bare essentials and get wet :p

Which brings me to this point: In the midst of the Australian summer, I look at these photos and comments of you guys riding in the depths of winter and think, Oh my goodness you're brave! I just hope I can muster up as much enthusiasm (and warm clothing) when it starts getting cold here! And its not half as cold as over there I'm sure....

[Becky]

18.5 miles in the northern Delaware hills. I know it's winter when I put SPDs on my road bike to accommodate treaded winter boots rather than slippery road shoes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of my favorite rural roads had been salted. Others had not, and I dodged a fair amount of ice (and stupid motorists!).

I really needed to get out and clear my head, and I'm grateful for yesterday's ride, however short it was. Work's been awful lately, and I've been wimping out on commuting, so I've been in a funk for a couple of weeks now.

On a related note, has anyone ever found boot liners for Sidi winter boots? I like that they're not super-insulated, and I can use them in the warmish rain, but I found myself wishing for a little more warmth yesterday. I may just steal some of DHs wool socks to go over my wool socks :D

[arielmoon]

Love the pics tprevost!

Weather here has been all over the place so my riding has been sporadic. It was cold and rainy on Sat so I opted out of group ride. Last time it was this cold there were only two of us. I think I proved that I am a die hard and by not showing up this week when it is also raining, I am also proving not to be insane. LOL However I did miss my bikecrushguy and I even contemplated stopping in to the shop with the excuse of needing to return the full gloves he lent me last week. ;) yeah right. I over heard him on the phone last weekend so I am pretty sure he has an SO and might even be married but gosh darn it he makes me light headed. *sigh*

ok right back on topic... I did ride 24 miles yesterday and really only enjoyed half the ride. I really am determined to not loose all my conditioning this winter but it is proving to be a challenge all ready. *sigh*

[redrhodie]

I just did around 25 miles. I almost took a header carrying my bike down the porch stairs, when I noticed they were icy as I was in mid-step. My hesitation while I was about to put my foot down made it worse than if I had just stepped. That could have been ugly.

I saw no other riders until almost the end, when I was passed by a guy on a road bike. I thought that was done for the season! I hardly ever get passed in winter, when all the weather wimps :p are on their trainers inside. ;) Not that I'm not a weather wimp. I just like the cold more than I like my trainer.

[Ritamarie]

Ritamarie, this is my first year of trying to ride through the winter, so whatever you've learned, please share, starting with clothes! Thank you!!


Owlice,

I just posted two of my new winter favorites under Apparel: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=481012#post481012

Having the right clothes definitively helps.

[owlice]

Ritamarie, thank you! Much appreciated, and as you find new and more and better things, please please please keep me posted!!

~~~

Today's ride was very much like Friday's ride, except it was colder out: 43°F and cloudy today. I was definitely chillier today than I was on Friday; 6 degrees makes a difference! I wore biking tights and thin sweats, and a turtleneck with a regular t-shirt over it. I was kind of wishing for one more or one warmer layer on top, and I definitely have to get full-fingered gloves.

But to the ride.... again up to the Lincoln Memorial, down the Reflecting Pool, and then over to Hains Point. Rode around that twice plus some; I was coming up the west side when I saw what I thought was a Bald Eagle, so I cut back over to the east side -- yes! Definitely a Bald Eagle! -- and rode around the point again as a result. And then eventually back.

In addition to the Bald Eagle, I saw a red fox (oh, so so so pretty!). He crossed the road in front of me, picked up something at the street's edge, and then ran back to the broad flat grassy area that is in the center of the point. Watched me bike past, he did!

Very few people out. I think only one cyclist passed me (and he was all excited about the red fox, too). I did see a few more, but they weren't doing laps on the point today.

Slower than Friday; I wasn't feeling the love for most of the ride. 11.6 miles, average of 10.8 MPH.

Am still glad I rode, though.

arielmoon, I hear your cry about losing conditioning; I'm riding so much less now... and I can tell I'm not riding as strong as I was two months ago. :(

[Red Rock]

To all of you who are braving the cold winter weather, congrats on all of your rides! I hope that you enjoy your time on the bike. You all are much better and more tolerable of the cold than I would ever be.

Red Rock

[Ritamarie]

Went for a 26 mile hill ride today. Fun! It was sunny to start and 40 degrees but got cloudy and dropped a couple of degrees by the time I got done. I felt pretty good climbing. One good thing about my hill loop is that all those hilly roads don't really go anywhere so the traffic is light, especially in the middle of the afternoon. I only met up with 3 cars and one tractor in the first 18 miles. After that I have one road that's a little more heavily traveled so I stopped counting, but the first 18 miles were gloriously traffic free.

I've decided 25-30 miles is about my limit for an enjoyable solo ride. After that I get tired of talking to myself. :)

Owlice, one thing I thought of to tell you... one of my best cold weather discoveries is the front handlebar bag. I can put an extra layer on to get me out the door, and shed it five miles into the ride.

[redrhodie]

I woke up grumpy, and after biting the head off my poor bf over nothing, I decided I needed to ride before work. Jeez, it was cold out. I thought the weather man said it was above freezing, but every frozen puddle said he lied. I decided I couldn't do my easy route, since I knew one hill would be too icy to climb. So, I went north instead.

The ride just didn't feel anything but hard the whole time, like my brake was rubbing, but it wasn't. It was a beautiful, sunny, clear day. Don't know what was up with me, other than I was really cold, and the wind was from a hard direction (headwind on every hill, yadda, yadda, yadda).

As soon as I got home, since I was so slow on the ride I was now rushing to get to work, I jumped in a hot shower right away. I've never experienced this before, but I guess my extremities were too cold for the moderately hot water, and I turned bright red, kind of like heat rash, and got this weird creepy crawly feeling. It was pretty horrible. Next time, I'll let myself warm up a little first.

20 freezing miles. Not my most favorite ride, but I felt better when it was over!

[Ritamarie]

Don't know what was up with me, other than I was really cold, and the wind was from a hard direction.

Ugh. I'll take hills over wind any day! It'd be okay if you could quantitatively define it like miles or feet climbed. "I pushed "x" kilograms of wind today!" If I could write in in my log I would feel a lot better about it. But anyway, I bet you're glad tonight that you rode that 20 miles this morning!

[jesvetmed]

We are freezing here, too -- in the mid 20's all day. Never thawed out.
Got a quick Mtn Bike ride (maybe 4-5 miles) around the suburban "planned trail network"... not the greatest, but quick and it was great to be outside. I was completely frozen at the end -- except for my hands and my upper body, where I have purchased REALLY great stuff! Now to get great stuff for my bootie and head! It's a process! :p

[arielmoon]

Between doctor visits, an MRI and CT scan, therapy sessions and bad weather there has been very little time to ride. This makes me very grumpy. :p Hopefully today the weather will hold!

[kenyonchris]

It was tough; took a few rest breaks. I was very glad when I was done.

Yes, I watch TV or DVDs. Today it was episodes 8 & 9 of Dexter.

Man, you are my hero. I have a hate/hate relationship with the rollers. I am battling it through with the mantra, "this is making me better, this is making me better" while I spin along thinking I am going to die. I hang with group rides, average 18-25 mph depending on the ride/wind/hills, ride 45-100 miles easily, but 10 miles on the rollers kills me. How is this? I am hanging in there, working up by 5 minute intervals every day, but UGH. It is way too cold and windy and rainy outside.

[HillSlugger]

Man, you are my hero. I have a hate/hate relationship with the rollers. I am battling it through with the mantra, "this is making me better, this is making me better" while I spin along thinking I am going to die. I hang with group rides, average 18-25 mph depending on the ride/wind/hills, ride 45-100 miles easily, but 10 miles on the rollers kills me. How is this? I am hanging in there, working up by 5 minute intervals every day, but UGH. It is way too cold and windy and rainy outside.

The rollers definitely feel tougher than an outside ride, even with hills. I think it has something to do with not being able to coast at all. I also liken riding on rollers vs on the road to be like walking on ice; it's just that much harder.

I think it's worth it because I feel it makes you a smoother rider and better able to hold a line.

[owlice]

Owlice, one thing I thought of to tell you... one of my best cold weather discoveries is the front handlebar bag. I can put an extra layer on to get me out the door, and shed it five miles into the ride.

Ritamarie, thanks! I carry a web bungie in my handlebar bag -- along with a windbreaker which doesn't breathe at all -- and can easily stash extra layers either in the handlebar bag or on my rack.

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?

kenyonchris and MDHillSlug, please forgive my ignorance: are rollers the same as a trainer? I think I am going to need to do something more than I'm doing as I get over my riding-in-the-cold-and/or-dark-and/or-bad-weather wussiness; I'm not riding enough to maintain the conditioning I've picked up this season. (Getting over the cold/dark/bad weather thing is easier when one has the right clothes/gear/outwear, which I'm gradually accumulating, but it'll take time.)

[redrhodie]

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?


It went away quickly. It felt like freezer burn.

Today I did around 13 miles with 20-30mph winds, and gusts of 40 :eek:(that's about my limit). I'm not kidding when I say at one point with the wind blowing off the ocean at my side, I was riding at an angle to stay upright. I love that! I remember thinking, I wonder if I'm going to lift off! That would be fun for a second or 2. :D

I admit to cutting it short. I was planning on 20 miles, but couldn't make myself turn into the wind once it was at my back. I took a shortcut home. Better than nothin'.

[arielmoon]

YAY! I did get to ride yesterday and although I was dodging raindrops and battling huge wind gusts it was a great ride. 16 miles. Got to get them when you can!

[HillSlugger]

Ritamarie, thanks! I carry a web bungie in my handlebar bag -- along with a windbreaker which doesn't breathe at all -- and can easily stash extra layers either in the handlebar bag or on my rack.

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?

kenyonchris and MDHillSlug, please forgive my ignorance: are rollers the same as a trainer? I think I am going to need to do something more than I'm doing as I get over my riding-in-the-cold-and/or-dark-and/or-bad-weather wussiness; I'm not riding enough to maintain the conditioning I've picked up this season. (Getting over the cold/dark/bad weather thing is easier when one has the right clothes/gear/outwear, which I'm gradually accumulating, but it'll take time.)

Rollers are different from a trainer. A trainer locks in the rear of your bike and holds you upright; you can pedal away without thinking about steering or balance. Rollers are 3 cylinders attached to a frame; your rear wheel sits between two rollers and the front wheel sits on top of the third. There's nothing holding you up or centered except your balance and your ability to bike a straight line. It's much harder, not relaxing at all, but ultimately will make you a better, smoother rider. (This (http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/productLarge/246/1695/10451?i=default) is what I roll on)

[7rider]

(This (http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/productLarge/246/1695/10451?i=default) is what I roll on)

Apologies in advance for the hijack...but this - from MDHillSlugs' link - struck me as funny:
Elite Parabolic Bicycle Roller - 068006
List Price: $159.99
Our Price: $367.99
You Save: ($208.00) (100%)

wow! Their site has you pay $208 OVER list! What a deal!! :D;)

Me....I'm in winter hibernation mode, I guess. Haven't ridden rollers, the bike, or anything other than a spin class last night in about 2 weeks. Blech. :mad:

[kenyonchris]

The rollers definitely feel tougher than an outside ride, even with hills. I think it has something to do with not being able to coast at all. I also liken riding on rollers vs on the road to be like walking on ice; it's just that much harder.

I think it's worth it because I feel it makes you a smoother rider and better able to hold a line.

Yeah, no coasting, and no momentum, plus turning the rollers as well as the bike. Much harder. But yes, that is why I do it. I am going to start to alternate it with the trainer.

[Karma007]

7 miles on the rollers, and have crept out of the hallway far enough to see the TV! Major victory!

[Ritamarie]

7 miles on the rollers, and have crept out of the hallway far enough to see the TV! Major victory!

Too funny!

I just canceled my ride with my riding buddy for tomorrow. We were going to do a longish ride, but now the forecast is in the 20s with 19mph winds. That's above (below?) my threshold. I think I'll use that free pass I have to Gold's gym and check out their spin class. :( Hoping for more hospitable weather next week.

[Owlie]

It's 19F and windy here. I don't think I'm riding until Saturday, when it's supposed to creep back up to 35 (and hopefully be less windy!) Walking to my chem final this morning was interesting enough.

My poor bike! Maybe I should invest in a trainer...

[shootingstar]

Yesterday and today was only 16 kms. It is at freezing temp. or abit below. But thankfully no snow on our ground yet.

But my hands are freezin' cold even after short ride with my thicker gloves.

[owlice]

redrhodie, I'm glad the rash went away quickly! And on the liftoff, it'd probably be fun for a second or two if you didn't sail away!

MDHillSlug, thanks for the explanation of rollers/trainers, and for the link; very helpful.

7rider, I wish that really was the list price for these!! I'd have already placed my order! I think I'll be checking out Craig's List instead.

I rode 12 miles today, an out-and-back mostly on a trail next to a road through a park; it was 43 out when I started, and dropped to 36 or 37 by the time I was done. I wore a coat (the coat of unknown origin -- found it in my closet a few weeks ago) over my turtleneck and teeshirt, and had to peel the teeshirt off halfway through. (So what did I learn today? I learned that I cannot take off a teeshirt without first taking off my helmet. :rolleyes: I had to laugh at my attempt to do so; I'm sure I looked very graceful.) The first five miles felt awful; the rest of the ride felt better, but wow, even the baby rises on this required my granny gear!

It grew fully dark on my return. A car that was letting me cross a street very nearly was rear-ended, I almost ran into a ninja cyclist coming toward me, and another who didn't announce he was passing me, and every single runner on the trail save one could scarcely be seen. I was astonished at how many people simply disappeared from view once darkness fell -- it was scary. People dressed all in dark colors, nothing reflective on them except perhaps a small part of their shoes, some riders with no lights at all... surprises me, this.

I want to be SEEN, and I want it obvious that I'm on a bike. I have on a safety vest (screaming yellow/green with reflective tape on it), a white light on my helmet that I set to blinking, a headlight aimed at the path, the SuperFlash and a regular reflector on the back, and a reflector and two SpokeLits per wheel. Don't know whether it's enough; I may add a red blinkie to the back of my helmet.

I think I need battery-operated Christmas lights for my bike and/or helmet, too. :)

[Crankin]

My training program called for an hour to one and a half hour outdoor ride (this is supposed to be once a week. usually I substitute x country skiing for it). So, I dutifully got on the trainer and figured I would watch the news, since it was supposed to be an easy zone 2 ride.
Ugh. This was the longest I've spent on the trainer in the 3 years I've had it. Most of the other days the plan has me doing drills and changing up things for no more than a half hour, plus weights or core stuff. By the end of the hour, my butt was killing me and I am pretty sure I have a saddle sore developing.
The wind is blowing at like 30 mph, there's ice all over the sides of the road, and the temperature is not going over 30 for the next 2 days. There's not enough snow left to ski or snowshoe and what's there is all ice, so the trainer it is...