Having second thoughts about riding today

[redrhodie]

Here is the weather report:

"Partly sunny with a chance of flurries this morning... then mostly cloudy this afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph."

I can do the temp, and I can do the wind, but both together? I don't know. The wind chill is in the low teens.

I'm bundling up and giving it a go. Worst case, I'll turn around. Wish me luck.

[PamNY]

I have the same forecast and the same dilemma. Temp is easy; wind is annoying. Yesterday I bailed out but I need my endorphins. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[maillotpois]

Have fun! We don't get snow, but I know I get a huge sense of accomplishment when I go out in 30's - 40's weather. So you will have earned your sense of satisfaction - no matter how far you end up going!

[hebe]

Good luck and have fun! We have frozen slushy roads here so no riding for me until at least the end of the week so I hope you do get a good ride!

[Owlie]

Good luck, and stay warm!

It's full-on snowing here and the streets are kind of icky.

[Crankin]

Did you ride?
It's getting to the time of year where I will be dragging the trainer out. I am debating whether to ride with my club on Wednesday. It's barely going to be 30 at the start, but it's down your way, Red, on the East Bay bike path, so I suspect winds. There's an alternative hike I could do, as I am not the only one in the group who is not keen on the conditions for riding. And, I have a paper I should work on, plus I need to be home by 4 (there's a party afterward), since it's my anniversary. Is it worth it for a 22 mile ride, 1 hr.+ drive? I am at the tipping point!

[bonnypriest]

I think she is frozen. Poor Red. :( Girl...you are much braver than me. I was griping about 50 degrees & 15-20mph winds yesterday. You go girl! Or should I say hurry up & get back in?! :D

[Catrin]

The high today is 20, this morning it was 8 degrees F :eek: Wasn't feeling well so just called in sick and rolled over and went back to sleep. Baaaad Catrin...

[redrhodie]

I did it! It wasn't bad at all. It's so easy to psych myself out. The wind was hard heading out, but it was totally fun coming back.

I have to share my new tip--tights (the kind you wear with a skirt) under my knickers! It was perfect! My cold weather cycling tights make me slide all over my saddle, so I hate them. This was totally warm and comfortable. I also wore ballet leg warmers over my knickers. I could be an extra in "Flashdance" in this get-up. ;)

[Tri Girl]

great job, Red!! You rode in conditions that sent me to my car to drive this morning. Proud of you!!

[redrhodie]

Is it worth it for a 22 mile ride, 1 hr.+ drive? I am at the tipping point!

I probably wouldn't bother. That bike path isn't all that exciting. It's very flat and yes, it's supposed to be really windy Wed.

[redrhodie]

I have the same forecast and the same dilemma. Temp is easy; wind is annoying. Yesterday I bailed out but I need my endorphins. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Get on out there! It will be fun.

[lph]

Way to go! :)

I've been off bike for a week now because of a bad cold, and I can confidently say: waiting for a bus, tram or train in cold weather - delayed because of the cold weather, and full because of the bad driving conditions - is WAY colder and way more uncomfortable than riding a bike.

[Melalvai]

This is the time when I start to flail on my clothes, I either over- or under-dress. In a week or two (about now) I get it sorted out! This year I'm also discovering, through trial and painful error, how to dress for running. The really tricky bit is to dress for bicycling, put on workout clothes at the gym, put on other clothes to run, and then finally into my office clothes. That's a lot of clothes!

[nscrbug]

No riding for me at all this week...highs in the 20's, with more snow expected on Thursday. But...I am looking ahead to Saturday, and thinking just maybe I might be able to get a ride in. As of right now, it's supposed to be a high of 28 with partial sun, and maybe snow moving in later that day. If I get out early...granted it will be COLD, probably in the teens when I start...but if I can squeak out even a 25 miler, I'd be thrilled...and would only be 57 miles off my goal.

[Crankin]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, Red. I think I will be able to get a short ride in in the afternoon Wednesday, around here. Then I will have no excuse not to write my paper, as well as burn some calories before my anniversary dinner.
And I think that might be it for awhile, for outside rides. Friday's forecast is for temps in the 20's and an "Alberta Clipper" coming in during the afternoon.

[redrhodie]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, Red. I think I will be able to get a short ride in in the afternoon Wednesday, around here. Then I will have no excuse not to write my paper, as well as burn some calories before my anniversary dinner.
And I think that might be it for awhile, for outside rides. Friday's forecast is for temps in the 20's and an "Alberta Clipper" coming in during the afternoon.

That sounds like a better use of your time. Driving for 3 hours to ride the East Bay bike path when you're swamped, well, you'd kick yourself later.

Today, the top to my water bottle froze over. It didn't seem like it was that cold. :)

[beccaB]

I am hating this weather! Nothing but gray and not over 25 since a week ago, and more of the same for the next week, and high winds.. I am missing my bike and becoming fat and grouchy.

[Owlie]

Becca, I hear you. We've got similar weather--it's been gray, snowy, windy and hovering around thirty for the last...when was the last time I saw the sun, again? I went for a walk in the snow, but it's not the same.

[Organic Goddess]

Way to go Red! Some days its just easier to make excuses.
I do it when it's 115 degrees. Even on a beautiful day like today. High of 72.
Today's excuse is that I'll go after work because my hair looks too good to have to re-do it.
Works for me!

[chicagogal]

I don't ride on the road in sub freezing temps because I am afraid of black ice. I can deal with the cold and have my wardrobe figured out, so if it is really cold, I ride on the trails with the cross bike.

However, if it is less than 20-25F, I ride indoors. Unfortunately, this is most of the winter. . . However, I try to look on the bright side. Indoor training, done right, can be a fantastic way to build fitness for the spring. Riding outdoors this time of year is fun (because riding is always fun), but I can't really get any actual training in. So, now is a building phase, indoors, on the trainer, so that I can peak for early season races that happen just when the snow starts to melt!

. . . . but if we get a rare warm day, you better believe that I'll toss that training plan in the trash, get on my bike, and ride outside - that's what keeps me loving the sport, and feeling like a kid on a bike :-)

[Catrin]

These arctic temps certainly make it much easier for me to stay off the bike, though am looking forward very much to the first day when it is at least in the 40s so I can go ride my bike :)

Thankfully my leg seems to be improving enough so I can really start to ramp up my efforts on the spinning bike, though will still have to be careful.

[nscrbug]

I don't ride on the road in sub freezing temps because I am afraid of black ice. I can deal with the cold and have my wardrobe figured out, so if it is really cold, I ride on the trails with the cross bike.

However, if it is less than 20-25F, I ride indoors. Unfortunately, this is most of the winter. . . However, I try to look on the bright side. Indoor training, done right, can be a fantastic way to build fitness for the spring. Riding outdoors this time of year is fun (because riding is always fun), but I can't really get any actual training in. So, now is a building phase, indoors, on the trainer, so that I can peak for early season races that happen just when the snow starts to melt!

. . . . but if we get a rare warm day, you better believe that I'll toss that training plan in the trash, get on my bike, and ride outside - that's what keeps me loving the sport, and feeling like a kid on a bike :-)

Supposed to get up to 35 for us here, on Saturday...woohoo!!! If the streets look clear and dry, I'm gettin' out there for sure....before the next round of snow piles up later on Saturday.

[kimikaw]

Supposed to get up to 35 for us here, on Saturday...woohoo!!! If the streets look clear and dry, I'm gettin' out there for sure....before the next round of snow piles up later on Saturday.

Hoping for same here in Milwaukee on Saturday. Fear of black ice on the roads (and fear of riding in pitch dark home) has me done with commuting for the year - but Saturday looks like a window for at least a ride. Prior to all the new snow - not to mention single digit temps (ugh) predicted for the next week.

[Crankin]

Bike is now on the trainer... I did not go out for a ride today. It's about 31 and winds up to 20 mph. Am about to do my first indoor ride of the season, but Saturday looks to be OK for outdoor riding (as long as the snow showers from Friday night are gone).

[marni]

I will confess it. I have become a cold wuss- after years of toughing it out in the Netherlands where winter weather is typically 34 degrees, windy and exceeding cold and damp, and another bunch of years fighting snow, ice and cold in Massachussets, I have become so acclimatized to Texas, that today's temps of low 50's with a 20mph wind kept me off my bike- I went and did two hours of heavy cardio intervals at the gym and then came home and cleaned house for three hours instead. I am feeling whipped and virtuous and not at all regretful about not having ridden. Low how the mighty have fallen.

[redrhodie]

I went and did two hours of heavy cardio intervals at the gym and then came home and cleaned house for three hours instead. I am feeling whipped and virtuous and not at all regretful about not having ridden. Low how the mighty have fallen.

You should really be ashamed of yourself. ;)

[Catrin]

Have decided against a trainer - would rather use the money towards my new Gunnar instead. It is COLD here and I've not the slightest temptation to ride - though hoping there will be a little window to do that Saturday before the winter mix arrives - it is supposed to be 38 degrees. I don't know if I have the right clothes for that but will try it if I can....

I AM able to start doing more without repercussions from my leg, so that is good. I can start ramping things up in spinning class and used the elliptical machine last night for 10 minutes and my leg feels fine today! Yayyyy. Very different from my activity level of one year ago - but I think it can only go up from here if I can avoid re-injury.

[JennK13]

We've been having some record highs here in Denver; supposed to be almost 60 today! It's weather like this that makes me want to take a couple "wellness hours" off to go ride.
My store manager at the shop is surprised I haven't had to cancel any Saturday rides yet, though we're supposed to get some snow Friday night into Saturday.....we'll see.

[redrhodie]

I discovered my limit today. It was 20º when I headed out, with calm winds. I was okay for 20 miles, but I noticed some things that made me think that's my absolute low for that distance. One thing, my water bottle froze. There was still unfrozen water inside, but I couldn't get to it. I couldn't even unscrew the top, it was so frozen shut. Trying unsuccessfully to drink from it, my lip stuck to the ice like the kid's did to the flagpole in "A Christmas Story". That was pleasant.

The second thing was my left foot went numb. Right foot was fine. I don't know why the difference, but it was like pedaling a block of ice. I could probably work out another sock combo/shoe cover that would get me through better, but the third issue makes me think I had better not.

The third issue--I felt my reaction time slowing. Avoiding debris was a little off, and this weird "devil-may-care" attitude was starting to come up, one that tells you things like that car had better stop for me, because I'm cold, and I'm not stopping for it. That's a pretty big sign that I hit my limit. I'm not a reckless rider, but I could see where I could end up doing something stupid because of the cold.

But I rode! Yay. It was still fun.

[JennK13]

Wow, Red! I admit, I got some good giggles from your post :)
I can relate to the mental reaction issue - when I get THAT cold, everything slows down for me. I have a problem with my hands freezing, so the cars better stop because I physically CAN'T brake - I have frozen claws at the ends of my arms!
We'll see today - was 26 when I walked the dog an hour ago. Supposed to reach 40; at least the sun is out, and my group riders have been bundling up to ride, so out I go!

[Crankin]

Red, that sounds like hypothermia to me. It's nothing to fool around with. Find a way to stay warmer on the bike, or stay indoors to ride!

[lph]

Do add an extra layer to your core, Red! And check out my post on the commuter thread about home-made toe covers from newspaper :)

I gotta admit I don't ride for pleasure at temps like these, but I do have plenty of experience commuting at around 15-20 F. And I have my clothing tuned well enough now that I get to work warm and just slightly sweaty. My toes and fingers may get cold underway depending on my speed and the wind, and while that may be a little painful, I'm still warm (and alert and all that) from inside.

Last time I misjudged the temps going home (the sun went down and the temp. dropped by at least 5 C, plus there was some wind) and skipped one layer of wool on top I could feel the same thing after a while. I got sluggish, bored and just a bit apathetic. Not good.

[nscrbug]

Well, I did manage to get out for a 41-mile ride this morning...ever so slightly inching my way towards my mileage goal. It was 31 degrees when I left the house at 8am, no sun, a brisk south wind, and very damp out with wet roads. Most of the snow and ice were cleared from the roads, with the exception of a few stretches of slush-covered shoulders. My hands were cold and numb, but that's nothing new for me...as they usually go numb even on a warm day. I should have worn a pair of warmer gloves. The rest of me was perfectly fine. The one problem I have when I ride in colder temps...I often forget to hydrate properly. I think I took maybe 3 or 4 sips out of my water bottle for the whole ride...:eek: I was home before 11am...so about a 3-hour ride. All in all, I'm glad I was able to get out today, as it very well may have been my last ride of the year. Sleet and snow moving in tonight, with high winds and bitter cold temps for the next few days. :(

[JennK13]

The one problem I have when I ride in colder temps...I often forget to hydrate properly.

All in all, I'm glad I was able to get out today, as it very well may have been my last ride of the year. Sleet and snow moving in tonight, with high winds and bitter cold temps for the next few days. :(

Forgetting to hydrate is common in the cold - I had to remind my riders on the group ride yesterday to drink - it was mid 30s, sunny, but the wind was chilly. Totally clear roads so we were keeping a good pace down the trail - 20 mph - certainly fast enough that they needed to be drinking as while we were comfortable, we were all working good and sweating some.

Good thing you got out - I saw da Bears game today.....how they play in that is beyond me!

[zoom-zoom]

Our weather is KILLING me! I have a brand new road rocket, but I don't see any point in the 15 day forecast that would be ridable. We already have ample snow and I live in a semi-rural community that plows only the most essential roads well, so many of our roads will be lucky to be clear before March--I wish I were exaggerating. Even once the snow and ice are gone we are left with sand and salt. It's kind of torture to keep looking at my shiny new ride...I refuse to take my first few rides on the trainer, though, so I won't be selling my "old" ride anytime soon, either. :p