riding into the new year [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

redrhodie

12-28-2009, 08:31 AM

Yep, I stole the title from the runners. :p

TV forecast said mix of rain and snow for today, and the temperature was 29º. Funny, it looked sunny outside. Went to the online weather site where temp was listed at 41. Oh, now that's a little better--no ice. So, off I went.

The online weather was more accurate, and it actually felt even warmer with the sun shining. It felt almost summery after a week inside riding on the trainer. I rode Puddin', and I gotta brag, she's the most comfortable bike in the world. I haven't ridden her in a couple of months, and she's a dreamy ride. Wore my new wool buff, and it's fantastic. I highly recommend!

20-something gorgeous miles an a perfect December day.

Crankin

12-28-2009, 08:35 AM

I thought the same about the weather forecast, RR. It said rain/snow? While it's cloudy now, the sun was out and it's 35 degrees.
Maybe I can get in a ride???

pfunk12

12-29-2009, 03:52 PM

Finally got out yesterday and today after not riding since the major snowstorm. Since I was in Pennsylvania for Christmas for a few days and the weather and roads weren't that good, I had been on the trainer for several days. Even though it was so cold and so, so windy these past 2 days (gusts today of 40 mph :eek:), I enjoyed both rides. I rode with some of the guys from the shop (7rider knows them well). Yesterday there were 3 of us and today there were 4 of us. I did 22 yesterday and just over 28 today. I'm sure I would have gone out by myself but it sure is nice riding with other people when it's brutally cold.

Ritamarie

12-29-2009, 07:27 PM

I got out the last 3 days too! My husband thinks I am crazy for riding in this cold/wind, so I am slowly catching up to his mileage for the year. I am now just 21 miles behind and I have a 35-40 mile ride planned for tomorrow. So as long as he doesn't go out in the next two days, I'm good! He's not much of a road rider in the winter, so even if he does go out on his mountain bike I don't think he'll get ahead. hmmmm... maybe I should ride longer tomorrow just in case! :D I am such a goofball.

azfiddle

12-29-2009, 07:36 PM

Tucson weather is more amenable to riding this time of year than most places- we got out for a long ride today with temps in the 50's but a little more wind than I would have liked....

Owlie

12-29-2009, 08:23 PM

It's supposed to be about 40 tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get to the bike trail. Yay! My first ride on my tuned-up bike, and with new batteries in the computer. I'm looking forward to it.

Ritamarie

12-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Hey, I just realized looking over my log for the week that I tend to ride the temperature in miles. Like Sunday it was 43 degrees and we rode 43 miles. Yesterday and today it was 26 degrees (with 26 mph winds!) and 26 miles was about right both days. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 35 degrees and I just happen to have a 35 mile route laid out. And 63 degrees is about ideal for a metric century! Okay, the theory falls apart for a full century but well, all theories have flaws. Maybe it just works in the winter. Think I'll go pour another glass of wine now.... :D

smilingcat

12-29-2009, 10:10 PM

Didn't ride today because of appliance delivery and scheduled rolfing. I was hoping to get out but didn't materialize.

Rode yesterday, day before that... strange. Its one thing to be cold all over but yesterday and day before, my toes got terribly cold. It's the same cheap shoes I've worn for few years... so what has changed?

I think I need new pair of socks. :o They are bit threadbear in the toes. oops.

I love the "she loves hill she loves them not"... so I'll order few pairs of them soon. Hope to go out and do an easy ride tomorrow before 30% of me gets wet. 30% chance of rain.

hmmm...

IFjane

12-30-2009, 02:25 AM

Hope to go out and do an easy ride tomorrow before 30% of me gets wet. 30% chance of rain.

hmmm...

You'll probably be ok as long as the 30% is not your feet! :D

owlice

12-30-2009, 06:47 AM

I rode both Sunday and Monday, short rides both days, just 14 miles on Sunday and 10 on Monday. I left late on Sunday and *really* needed my lights on the ride back from the lake. I got out a little earlier in the afternoon on Monday; it was windier and felt colder to me than Sunday did, though it was also about 32 when I started out. One of the small puddles I rode through was crunchy. :eek: I felt I could have ridden much more on Sunday, and that I'd ridden enough on Monday -- go figure!!

I dropped my bike off for some service after Monday's ride and will pick it up today. No riding today, though; the kid wants to meet friends in Philadelphia, so we're heading north for a good part of the day.... assuming he gets up and showered in time!!

Owlie

12-30-2009, 01:43 PM

It was something above 25 today, so I went on a ride on the bike trail. (It actually got up to just below 40 on my way back, but was probably something like 30 when I left.) There was ice in some of the potholes and on one of the bridges, but overall, quite nice. Mostly cloudy, next to no wind. I did just over 23 miles, which is a new record for me...and may lead to a few new purchases (clipless pedals, shoes, and some new shorts.) I did get some odd looks from the roadie types on the trail: there's me, a woman riding alone, on an entry level road bike, in a cycling-specific jacket with bones on it, in a not-cheap helmet, wearing track pants, wool socks and tennis shoes with the hem of the right leg of my pants tucked into my sock. Yeah, I must have looked weird.

Ritamarie

12-30-2009, 04:07 PM

Woo-hoo, I made it! 4502 miles for the year (2 in excess of my goal and 15 ahead of my DH)! I did a 36.5 mile ride today with a good friend who was kind enough to keep me company in reaching the goal. It was supposed to get into the 30s but according to my friend's cyclo-computer we ranged from 24-28F depending if we were in a hill or valley. It was cold, but fun too! We kept each other entertained with stories about this and that, and it was just fine. There was a few icy patches and my friend showed her riding skill when she hit a patch with just a bit too much speed on. But the wind was relatively light, so it was definitely better than my solo rides yesterday and Monday!

I think I'm going to keep my butt planted firmly in my desk chair tomorrow. I've got a lot of work to catch up on after the holidays and all of this riding!

owlice

12-30-2009, 06:19 PM

Owlie!! Congratulations on reaching a new high!! Feel you look weird? Ride with me, and you'll feel like the archetype of normal!

Ritamarie, yahoo! on meeting both your goals -- your mileage goal and the ahead of your DH goal!!

pfunk12

12-30-2009, 07:52 PM

I did just over 32 miles today. Met 3 of the shop riders at noon to get in some miles before we met a group of shop riders meeting at 1 p.m. It was about 32 degrees when we were out - cold but bearable since it wasn't windy like yesterday. When we met the others at 1, there were 10 of us. Pretty cool to have that big of a group cycling on a Wednesday afternoon when it's 32 degrees outside but most people are on vacation. I got dropped towards the end of the ride by 5 guys who were left. There was no way that I could keep up with them. I was toast. Went to the shop after the ride to get an espresso and to look at the shop's winter jackets. They didn't have jackets but they had a thermal vest in my size. When I tried it on, Mike, the shop owner, asked me if I liked it and if it fit. I said...yes and yes! And he said, "Merry Christmas...it's yours." Wow.
If I do 14 miles tomorrow, I will have 7,000 for the year. This is huge for me considering it's my first full year of cycling. Obviously, the daily commute helps a bunch. :)

redrhodie

12-31-2009, 08:48 AM

Last ride of the year today! 21 miles along my favorite route. A lovely end to an awesome 2009. Cheers everyone!

Pfunk, sounds like you have a great lbs!

shootingstar

12-31-2009, 01:08 PM

Warmer weather which made me guilty for doing only 16 kms. But then the stores were getting busy so needed to beat lineups and go to several places to pick up food along the bike trip.

Now am wondering if the chocolate hazelnut little cakes I bought for tonight got abit smashed up when box tipped abit. Well, no matter it disappears in time. :o

If it didn't look as if it was going to rain tonight, would be nice to bike around at night to see Christmas lights along the waterfront.

Fredwina

12-31-2009, 01:30 PM

I got a little ride in before work

blackhillsbiker

12-31-2009, 06:06 PM

I rode to work this morning. I had to have DH meet me partway on my route with my down jacket. I seriously underestimated the cold/wind. He's such a sweetie. He was off of work today. He wore my jacket to the meeting point (McDonald's parking lot) so it would be warm. Boy did we get the strange looks from the people waiting in the drive-thru! Tomorrow I've promised my bike some TLC. Don't know if I'll ride because we're spending the day with friends. Lots of eating, maybe some cards and/or movies planned.

Happy New Year my TE friends.

Deb

Owlie

12-31-2009, 08:45 PM

No new year's eve or new years ride for me. It rained most of today (combined with melting snow), and will hit the lower 20s for the next couple of days. My boyfriend is attempting to find me a bike to borrow when I go visit him after New Year's, so maybe I get a ride in then. Otherwise, it's my last until March. :(

azfiddle

01-01-2010, 07:20 AM

Last ride of 2009 for me was with my husband and a friend who I used to work with. I didn't share her interest in cycling when she taught next door, but since I started on the bike, she has constantly inspired and encouraged me, gave me my first jersey and her saddle when she bought a new one. Although she can ride at a pace over 20 mph, she graciously slowed down to accommodate me at 14-15 :)

We rode to her daughter's volleyball tournament game, then my DH and I meandered on our own for the way home. It was lovely mid-winter weather in the desert- in the 60's with bright sunshine. We covered 42 miles by way of a coffee place, a bike shop, a bike path and a Mexican restaurant. I ended up recording about 1835 miles since I started in July.

OakLeaf

01-01-2010, 08:54 AM

Otherwise, it's my last until March. :(

Periodizing is good. Maybe it'll take you a few weeks to get back into cycling shape, but you'll be mentally rested, eager to get back on, and hopefully physically having strengthened some of those stabilizer muscles that get neglected on the bike.

Even though I can both run and ride year-round, my fitness year has definitely become a cycle, with more running in the winter and more cycling in the summer, and I think it's a good thing.

Our road ride got rained out this morning, but I'll be going out and getting soaking wet on the commuter before too long, just to kick off the year. :D Just waiting for the lightning and wind to ease up a little. :eek:

papaver

01-01-2010, 09:00 AM

I'll have to wait at least till mid March before I can ride again. http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/traurig/a045.gif Gosh I miss my bike. Went for a walk today, but only 2 miles. I was dead tired afterwards. http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/IMG_0680.jpg
The doggies loved it though.

Ritamarie

01-01-2010, 09:03 AM

The doggies loved it though.

What a great picture!

Owlie

01-01-2010, 09:42 AM

Periodizing is good. Maybe it'll take you a few weeks to get back into cycling shape, but you'll be mentally rested, eager to get back on, and hopefully physically having strengthened some of those stabilizer muscles that get neglected on the bike.

Even though I can both run and ride year-round, my fitness year has definitely become a cycle, with more running in the winter and more cycling in the summer, and I think it's a good thing.

Our road ride got rained out this morning, but I'll be going out and getting soaking wet on the commuter before too long, just to kick off the year. :D Just waiting for the lightning and wind to ease up a little. :eek:

I'm hoping that's the case. I have to leave my bike here at home when I go back to school, but on the bright side, the roads around school are not good riding even at the best of times. I think I'm going to work on core and overall fitness as much as I can between January and March. :D

HillSlugger

01-01-2010, 11:42 AM

I did 25 miles on the rollers while wishing I was biking outside.

I'm currently #1 on the Bike Journal TE list :D but I don't expect that to even last the day :(

Becky

01-01-2010, 01:52 PM

DH and I did 22 miles today.

I had a hard time getting out the door. Something about the new year has me in a funk, and the cold damp air by the river didn't help either! However, it felt good to start the new year with a bike ride, rather than a hangover ;)

Ritamarie

01-01-2010, 02:40 PM

Something about the new year has me in a funk

Me too Becky! I was in a funk all day. Something about starting a new bike log and seeing 0.0 miles seemed kinda sad. Not seeing the sun for a few days never helps my frame of mind. And waiting up until 1:00 AM for my daughter to get in (safely thank goodness) didn't help either! I did feel better after I dragged my butt out the door and did 14.5 miles on my cross bike solo.

owlice

01-01-2010, 02:47 PM

papaver, as Ritamarie said, what a great picture! (My thoughts may not be original, but they are heartfelt! :))

I did 15 miles on my favorite trail today. I picked up my bike Wednesday night after getting it serviced, and the gears are totally screwed up. It was very annoying to have all the higher gears slipping no matter what I did. I ended up riding the big ring most of the ride, though I usually use the middle one. I stopped a few times to try to adjust what I could adjust -- of course I had NO idea what I was doing! -- and eventually made things a little better, but one of my tasks this weekend will be to learn how to adjust the gears, because I can't go through what I went through today again.

All that said, I'm glad I rode!

owlice

01-01-2010, 02:55 PM

Ritamarie!
Something about starting a new bike log and seeing 0.0 miles seemed kinda sad.

I see it a completely different way -- it's a whole new year, with all new rides to look forward to!! Time to set goals and plan on how to meet them (and for you, make sure you'll have more miles than your DH... start plotting now!! :D) and dream of rides to come and challenges to take on!

This year, I will ride a metric century. I didn't try for one last year, but did get close anyway (by accident, which is why I now have a bike computer), so I have a half-century. I don't know whether I'll try for a century, but it's in the back of my mind; depends on whether I can increase my speed enough.

This year, I will also do another tour. Don't know where yet, but I have some ideas.

Yes, it's a whole new year, a time to reflect on all the lessons from last year (for me, anyway -- I learned an awful lot, mostly the hard way!), think about the rides to come especially now that the days are getting longer, and scheme to find ways to get in even more riding!

nolemom

01-01-2010, 02:57 PM

Rode 21 miles this morning with my DH in a steady rain. It just didn't seem right to not ride on the first day of 2010. Can't wait to see what rides are in store for us for the rest of the year.:)

Trekhawk

01-01-2010, 03:35 PM

I'll have to wait at least till mid March before I can ride again. http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/traurig/a045.gif Gosh I miss my bike. Went for a walk today, but only 2 miles. I was dead tired afterwards.
The doggies loved it though.

What a great snap!
They look like they are having a blast.:)

papaver

01-01-2010, 03:39 PM

thanx! Taking pictures relaxes me. Not as much as cycling, but it's a good alternative, for now. :)

7rider

01-01-2010, 03:41 PM

DH and I met the shop crew for a jaunt through Rock Creek Park today. About 20 of us showed up (including Pfunk12), and there were lots of laughs, hugs, high-5's, best wishes for the new year, and even pictures taken before the start of the ride. What a fun group.
The pace was casual and conversational. But the roads were wet and I ended up flatting near the end of the ride. DH fixed it for me (yay!), but he missed the stone that caused the flat. So about 1/2 mile (1 km) up the road, I flatted again. This time, I just pulled over and let DH ride the 2 miles (5 km) or so up the road to the car, and he came back to pick me up with it. Lots of tire surgery after we cleaned the bikes at home.
A bit over 20 miles. Almost 1/4 of what I did the entire month of December! :eek:

pfunk12

01-01-2010, 04:02 PM

As 7 mentioned, great group ride today. Of course, I had no idea what happened to you, 7...or Tom. Sorry to hear about the flats. :( Glad it happened towards the end of the ride. I never do New Year's resolutions but if I'm going to do one this year, it will be to get out more consistently with the shop riders this year. So much fun.

Fredwina

01-01-2010, 05:06 PM

I rode to the Rose Parade . perfect weather and too many pictures (http://picasaweb.google.com/jana.lingo/112010#)

shellkay1212

01-01-2010, 05:55 PM

We had the annual Chili Challenge in Fort Wayne. The temp was cold but evidently I've learned to dress for the weather. Here we are at our break to watch the Polar Bear peeps swim in the river. I was HOT - I even had to take my helmet and gloves off for a bit.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs142.snc3/16976_382666995095_782270095_10646920_6118994_n.jpg

kelownagirl

01-01-2010, 08:36 PM

I rode 100km on my trainer today to celebrate the New Year. :eek: It was tough on my butt because I haven't been on my bike since mid-October. Felt great though. :)

shootingstar

01-01-2010, 09:05 PM

You're highly disciplined to be on an indoor trainer that distance kelownagirl. I would fall off the bike from boredom. :eek:

I need changing scenery to keep me going, if my energy flags.

kelownagirl

01-01-2010, 11:11 PM

You're highly disciplined to be on an indoor trainer that distance kelownagirl. I would fall off the bike from boredom. :eek:

I need changing scenery to keep me going, if my energy flags.

I'll tell you, it's a once-a-year thing for me. Erik and I did it together, and we were watching two very inspiring movies "Spirit of the Marathon" and "Running the Sahara." I rarely ride the trainer more than 45-60 minutes any other time.

Jiffer

01-06-2010, 03:31 PM

redrhodie

01-07-2010, 05:28 AM

Yeah, I've been toughing out the weather, too. The high in my part of So. Cal is a brisk 74. But I rode in the frigid mid to upper 50's this morning.

Even wore my super light jacket ... which I ultimately took off ... and kind of wished I didn't have the legging pant things over my shorts. It's a hard life out here! :p

Oh, poor you. ;) That's downright tepid.

I've been stuck inside on the trainer. It's not that cold, but the streets are still slushy and slippery. More snow is coming tomorrow (just 2") then cold. Looks like we're not going to have clear streets for a while.

MM_QFC!

01-08-2010, 02:21 PM