Winter Riding Thread (December-February) Outside and Inside

[Crankin]

OK, I am tired of posting in the November thread.
I had my office holiday party today, at lunch time. Since I don't work on Wednesday, I had planned to ride there, but it would have involved bringing my food contribution yesterday. So, I decided to go to spin, which is not far from my office.
I managed to get in the zone wile I was warming up, and ignored the others. The class was good, but when I decided to leave at 10:20 (10 minutes early), so I didn't have to rush getting cleaned up, the instructor said, "Make sure you tell me you are OK, if you leave early." I looked right at her and said, "I am going to work..." Not sure if she heard. This felt a bit demeaning, as I did not look like I was going to faint, in fact, I was wiping down my bike. I am mostly used to going to spin at 5:45 AM, where people come and go all the time. I may email her, as it irked me.
It ended up being a really nice day, about 46 out, but I am still glad I didn't take the 45 minutes to get ready for a 5 mile ride! After the party, I did a couple of errands and then came home and took a quick walk around the hill, just a mile, but it felt good.

[ny biker]

I rode last Wednesday night after work. The weather was decent, high 40s. I tried out my new Gore Contessa jacket. It does a good job blocking the wind, but the sleeves were shorter than I'd like. Luckily my gloves come up far enough to cover my wrists. I also tried out chemical foot warmers for the first time. I followed Crankin's advice and wore thinner socks (DeFeet Wooleators rather than Woolie Boolies) and made sure the shoe straps were loose enough. I put the toe warmers under the front part of the foot -- my problem is that the metal cleat makes my feet cold -- and they did keep my feet warm, but it's not really comfortable to have the extra layer there. I think I rode about 17 miles in all. I've been very slow lately on these rides. I think I just am less motivated to push myself in the winter. I feel so constricted by the tights and the booties and the extra layers under my jacket.

Yesterday (Sunday) I led a 32 mile ride for the bike club. It was a nice winter day, lots of sunshine with temps in the mid-40s and hardly any wind. There were five people in the group and we all rode together most of the time. It was my 15th time leading a ride this year, the same number as last year despite all the sick time in the spring and summer. So that's a good thing. I used the toe warmers again; my feet stayed warm but I started to get that numbness in my toes that you get when your insole isn't supporting your foot right. It wasn't too bad though and was better than being cold. I know I could try putting the toe warmers on top of my feet, or even on top of the shoe between it and the booty, but I don't think that will solve the problem of the cold coming from the cleats.

I might have one more chance to ride this year -- I'll be busy with holiday/family stuff for the next week or so, but if the weather cooperates I will be able to ride on the 30th or 31st after work. I haven't uploaded anything to Garmin Connect in months. I suppose a good project for New Year's Day will be to plug my Garmin into my pc and hit the upload button -- and then go off and do something else, since it undoubtedly will take a while to transfer all my rides. But I am curious to see how many miles I rode this year.

Looking ahead, I usually take my bike to the LBS in January for an annual clean-and-tune. They offer deals and coupons in January because their business is always slow then. But I think this year I will wait and have it cleaned at the end of February or early March, when I hope we will no longer have to worry about snow and ice and salt on the roads.

[Blueberry]

Went for a short, slow holiday light viewing ride tonight. Full moon out and 70+ degree temperatures made for a nice, if unseasonable, ride. So nice to (mostly) have the roads all to myself.

[Crankin]

Rode 21 miles yesterday, with roads damp, but pleasant 50 degrees, with wind.
Today, DH and I rode 11 miles, rather quickly, when I got home from work at 2:15. It was 70 degrees, but windy, and the roads were very wet. I was covered in mud splatter when I got home. But, I'll take it, since it's December. Tomorrow, we will do a longer ride, while the rest of the world is celebrating Christmas. It will still be warm, high of 60, so nice. But, we have a "wintry mix" forecasted for next Tuesday, so it's coming to an end.
I passed 2,800 miles for the year today.

[Crankin]

We did a 33 mile ride, from home, using a well known route from one of the clubs we ride with. It's called the 7 bridges ride, because it crosses the Sudbury River 7 times. We left the route before the end, as obviously, we were riding home. We started the club route with a climb up Nashawtuc Hill, which is the other bigger hill in town, and then made our way into Sudbury, Wayland, and Lincoln. No roads I haven't been on, but a few that I don't ride that often. It was between 57 and 67 degrees on the ride, which I think, is close to a record for Xmas. I've had other warmish Xmas rides, but it was sunny, too, an added bonus. At one of the flatter parts on Goodman's Hill in Sudbury, I had to stop and eat and take my arm warmers off. Much better after that!
Lots and lots of riders out today, and as we neared the end, lots of families walking. There was even a traffic jam as people were entering/leaving Walden Pond State Park. Just like summer.

[Helene2013]

What a December. So warm and we broke a heat record yesterday. Thought I'd be able to ride outside but winds were pushing near 100km at peaks. So nope... no outdoor cycling.

Today I had a training session planned inside. Decided that although it is only 8c (yesterday we hit 19c) the winds were more decent. So we got the Crux out and did a 32km ride. Quite a few "hills" to climb and heart was pumping on the way but better on return as winds were sideways. We met a few cyclists and lots of pedestrians. Funny that cyclists met, none were younger ones. More like people over 50. hihi

It was so much fun. We stopped at McDonald to get a coffee and muffin. Our toes were frozen but the reste of body was great. We can't complain as normally the weather here is near -10c, if not colder. And we have a nice snowstorm hitting on Tuesday too. Probably a foot of snow, if not more. We "saved" at least 2 months of winter here. It was fun getting the Crux out in December.

[shootingstar]

Today we went on a 35 km. ride here in Vancouver. ABout 4 degrees C and very pleasant with less car traffic. This is the longest distance I've done since early November.

For me at least it was longer than yesterday which was only 10 km. and included drop by at a major hotel with gingerbread tableaux that were part of Christmas competition. Some wonderful creations by the schools and professional bakeries.

[rebeccaC]

rode to compton in south central l a to do some photography today. reasonable temps in the high 60’s to low 70’s, little wind and with sunshine all day. I’ve found riding through an area on my bike allows me to see more images to capture, makes it easier to have conversations to learn more about the people living there, learn more personal views of the area’s history, to ask where certain subjects like street art, old industrial etc. are and just using a more friendly way of being in the area. I had a number of good conversations today. 74 miles total.

off in a while to one of my favorite restaurants to celebrate the new year with friends and the people who work there…..a new year full of positive moments for all here!!!!!

[shootingstar]

I've just been doing short rides in Vancouver...6-20 km. 3-5 degrees C with sun shining to melt some ice and frost. The local mountains are dusted with snow..enough for the skiers and snowboarders. Unfortunately we have our heavy winter clothing and boots in another province.(even if we could rent snowshoes). But hope to do some snowshoeing in the mountains in a few weeks.

[azfiddle]

We've had some cold days for Tucson with highs in the 40's but mostly just cold mornings. Yesterday we rode 50 miles, mostly in short sleeved jerseys, starting around noon - my son joined us for 44 miles - we added 6 miles riding to and from his house. We stayed on the bike path and saw a lot of folks doing the same. Today I'm finally heading out.... 3 pm!

[ny biker]

So, I rode less than 1900 miles last year. I guess that's okay given the fact that I had three colds that kept me off the bike and were followed by relatively short rides as I tried to get back to a decent level of fitness. And then there were the two metrics that were rained out in September and October -- I would have managed 2000 miles if the weather had been dry on those days. Oh well, moving on.

I had thought I might get in one last post-work hill ride for 2015 after returning from my Christmas trip to NY, but that did not happen as the weather was not great and I was tired from driving back late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. Then I considered doing a Jan 1 ride around the Mall in DC with friends, but decided I would be better off sleeping late and unpacking from my trip. So my first ride of the new year was yesterday, a 33-miler that I led for the bike club. I was worried that it would be cold, but we lucked out with lots of sunshine and not much wind. It even ended up a few degrees warmer than expected, in the high 40s. We rode through the area that John Wilkes Booth escaped to after shooting President Lincoln, then stopped at a church that was founded in 1641 for our break. The church is on a hill overlooking a river, very scenic. Usually we approach it by riding up the hill, which is steep. But we came from the other direction and went down the hill, which allowed us to get a good look at the view.

Genuine winter weather is finally on its way and will keep us cold this week, but as of now it looks like it will only last for a few days. So I'm planning to dust off the indoor trainer instead of doing the weekly hill ride in a few days. But I'm hoping I'll be able to ride outside again next weekend.

[Crankin]

My last outdoor ride of the year was on Xmas. I ended up with 2,850 miles, which is Ok.
It hasn't been too freezing out (35-40), but there's been wind and I always look twice at how the snow is melting and refreezing on the sides of the road. I've seen some riders, out, but i am just scared enough of black ice, to not ride. If I had a mountain bike or fat bike, I'd feel safer.
I went to spin class this morning and it was a good work out. I've been going on and off since December. Felt a little bad, since the temperature was 38 on the way home, but there are really big gusts of wind. I did a trail run yesterday, just to get outside.
It is going to be frigid for the next 2 days, so it's a moot point.

[rebeccaC]

Working this weekend so I took today off and rode home from working yesterday in Oxnard. Had a tail wind most of pacific coast highway which made up for it being in the high 50’s. Saw more cyclists than usual especially for a weekday. I was meeting someone for lunch in Malibu at my favorite Japanese restaurant so I also had a great lunch of tai sweet shiso with crispy shiitake and a warm bowl of miso and tofu while we sat on the restaurants balcony overlooking the ocean. I then met a woman I know and her friend who had just come down out of the sm mountains and we rode back to santa monica together. 58 good miles.



View while stopped on pch to drink some water and stretch
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1518/24238260306_82c16b5400_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CVRqkL)

[Blueberry]

Rebecca- what a lovely photo!

I did a bike-bus commute twice this week - once with my Straggler and once with my Brompton. Trying to work out getting comfortable in cold temperatures - particularly on the big downhill on my way home. My core gets too warm - but my feet and head (even with a skull cap) freeze. Hands freeze for half the ride and then overheat. Still trying out different combos. We have one morning this week that is supposed to be about 20.

[lph]

I bought pogies!! And they are awesome. An hours commute at -10 C (14F) - toasty warm fingers. Same thing on the way home, in fact my hands were sweaty wearing just skinny little XC ski gloves. The best thing for winter biking since Lake shoes. And even sweaty hands weren't a problem because there's so much more warm/temperate air around them to gradually dry them off. Amazing.

Blueberry - at -14F I need both a windproof skull cap and a thin balaclava under my helmet, and I need to put tape over the big air ducts in front.

[ny biker]

I was also going to suggest a balaclava, Blueberry. It's usually not cold enough for me to wear mine since I generally don't ride when it's much below 40F. But there have been a few times when I really wanted something covering my neck and chin. (I have a couple of friends who start wearing their balaclavas as soon as the temperature drops below 55.) For hands, I make sure my winter gloves have room for wool glove liners inside them. Sometimes my fingertips are painfully cold at first even with the liners, but once I get going and warm up it's nice to be able to take them off.

What are pogies?

====


I set up the indoor trainer and rode for about 45 minutes last Thursday after work. I was watching my dvd of Coach Troy on the road in Baltimore County, which usually is enough to keep me from being bored but this time I had to really force myself to keep pedaling. I think the problem was that I'm just not in very good shape right now, so it was more of an effort.

On Saturday I led a 34-mile club ride. It was cloudy and very humid and it had rained earlier in the morning so the roads were wet. Only one person joined me. I knew she was going to be there because we had both agreed in advance that we were looking forward to the chance to pedal off some work-related stress. As luck would have it, the sun came out unexpectedly and dried the roads nicely. It was still humid (more rain was on the way overnight) and with temperatures in the 50s I was overdressed. I kept unzipping my Gore jacket on the uphills and zipping it back up on the downhills.

My legs were pretty tired by the end of the ride. I hope if I'm able to ride steadily over the next few weeks they will get stronger again. Someone please remind me of that when I'm struggling to overcome the laziness and get on the indoor trainer!

[Blueberry]

I was also going to suggest a balaclava, Blueberry.

I'm not sure it would help - it's localized to my forehead. There's a massive downhill on my ride where I'll hit about 35-40 MPH - that's where I'm having the issue. Otherwise, I'm fairly comfortable. Usually I don't do a face covering until the 20's (F). Maybe I need to get a windproof ski headband and put that under my skull cap.

I totally hear you on trainer time being miserable when you're out of shape. I haven't been in the shape I want to be for a long time, and it really does make exercise more of a chore. I'm trying to remind myself of that and get my butt on the bike so it will get better - that's easier said than done some days.

[Crankin]

My skullcap (thermal and otherwise) and my balaclavas cover my forehead. I do have a little head, but I wonder if you experimented with different brands, you might find one that comes down lower.
I have the opposite problem. I have to fold up the edge, so it doesn't roll down over my eyes!

[ny biker]

I've got quite a few Gore Windstopper garments and they do work. From some of the photos here, they seem to have beanies that could cover your forehead (though I guess as Crankin says, that might depend on individual head sizes). But they also have a windstopper headband.

http://www.goreapparel.com/gore-bike-wear/women/headwear/

[lph]

I was also going to suggest a balaclava, Blueberry. It's usually not cold enough for me to wear mine since I generally don't ride when it's much below 40F. But there have been a few times when I really wanted something covering my neck and chin. (I have a couple of friends who start wearing their balaclavas as soon as the temperature drops below 55.) For hands, I make sure my winter gloves have room for wool glove liners inside them. Sometimes my fingertips are painfully cold at first even with the liners, but once I get going and warm up it's nice to be able to take them off.

What are pogies?

====


I'm glad you asked. Here, my bike, with pogies. They're like little insulated tents for your hands :D

[lph]

I'm glad you asked. Here, my bike, with pogies. They're like little insulated tents for your hands :D
Oops, can't get the pic to load. Will try later.

[ny biker]

I'm glad you asked. Here, my bike, with pogies. They're like little insulated tents for your hands :D

Like Bar Mitts?

http://www.barmitts.com/

Come to think of it, I know several people who complain about cold hands during winter bike rides but have never seen anyone with bar mitts.

I'd like something like this for the steering wheel of my car -- driving in winter is when my hands are the coldest.

[lph]

Like Bar Mitts?

http://www.barmitts.com/

Come to think of it, I know several people who complain about cold hands during winter bike rides but have never seen anyone with bar mitts.

I'd like something like this for the steering wheel of my car -- driving in winter is when my hands are the coldest.
Yes, exactly! They're awesome.

[ny biker]

Well, I rode for an hour on the indoor trainer the other night. Since my last indoor effort with one of Coach Troy's "on the road" dvds didn't really hold my attention, I tried something different. I watched a dvd episode of a show that I've been wanting to watch but haven't gotten around to, and just pedaled a medium gear. Every few minutes I shifted up or down a little, but never to anything really hard or really easy. So no difficult intervals, but 60 minutes of solid pedaling.

Tomorrow will be the better weekend day for outdoor cycling here. I will be doing something by myself. A friend posted a club ride but it's more miles than I want to do, too far to drive to get there and it starts at 10:30 which means I'd have to get up way too early for it. As a real night owl, I consider the best thing about winter cycling to be the chance to sleep late and still be able to ride during the most comfortable temperatures of the day, in the early afternoon. And I really feel a need to change up the routine a bit. So I'm planning to ride in a suburban residential area that's not particularly scenic but is not too far from home and does not have lots of car traffic. I used to ride there pretty often and I find it nice to go back from time to time for a contemplative solo ride. As a bonus it will start near a bunch of stores where I can get errands done after the ride. (I am a bit concerned that traffic has increased on part of the route due to some new houses being built. I hope not.)

[Crankin]

The only riding I've done this week is a 5:45 AM spin class, which I convinced DH to come with me to attend on Tuesday.

[ny biker]

Well I've moved on to plan B for today. The forecast last night said it would be windy today and I hate riding on windy days. So I decided to really shake up my routine by sleeping very late. I'll go for a walk later.

Yes I could still grab a quick ride now -- it's not as breezy out there as expected -- and yes I might regret this next week or next month. But I know from experience that I'll enjoy riding more in the spring if I take some lazy days now.

[Crankin]

You sound just like me.
I did not do any other spin classes this week, as my knees are feeling it. I use harder gears than on the road. But, I did a hike yesterday, Power class Wednesday, circuit training class Thursday, and an intense Tabata class today. DH is leaving for his company's annual meeting in Boston tomorrow morning. He stays downtown until Thursday, so tomorrow I am going on a longer hike with friends. I also need the down time from riding, so I am ready in March, with a good attitude.

[emily_in_nc]

Blueberry, I have a fleece headband that covers my forehead and is very warm -- Pearl Izumi brand, I believe, but I am sure there are others. Perhaps that would help?

I had a great ride yesterday! We are back from Mexico, bought a motorhome, and are in a campground in Winter Garden, Florida. There is a lovely paved bike path here that connects to another in the next county west, Lake County, and yesterday after getting the Bike Fridays set back up after our travel back from Mexico, we rode over to the trail (about 2 miles from the campground) and rode it west, for a total of around 23 miles round-trip. It's dead flat here, but the farther north and west you go, the hillier it gets. I never knew Florida had hills! But it's true. The subdivisions we could see from the trail there had names like "Bla Bla Hills" and "XYZ Ridge". Very cool. It was a wonderfully warm day with a high of 79.

A cold front came through last night so it may be awhile until our next ride, since all our cool-weather cycling gear is up in NC. But the next warm day, we'll be out there again. Just lovely! It's gonna take me awhile to build up my strength on the hills again, since I've been riding the flats since the end of July and since 2015 was a very low-mileage year for me. Hoping for much more cycling in the new year!

A couple photos from the trail:

17927 17928 17929

[Crankin]

Congrats on the purchase. Guess you will be wandering now!
There are hills in northern Florida, for sure. I don't know much about the area you are in, though. But, any ride is a good ride.

[ny biker]

Welcome back!

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks Crankin and NY! Playa just got to be way too noisy for us. Way too much of a concrete jungle. We're in a campground now, and our site is right by a pond with wonderful bird life, gorgeous trees dripping with Spanish moss, and plenty of peace and quiet. And much, much better cycling. Life is good again! :)

[Crankin]

I've always said that lifestyle is one of the most important things when determining where you will live; anytime, not just in retirement. Happy riding!

[shootingstar]

sigh, I haven't cycled since Jan.4 in Vancouver. Since back where I live there has been snow off and on. Some clear days..

These are 3 local women who cycled in packed snow for 25 km. to scout out opportunities to improve bike commuting routes in our city.
What I liked were 3 women that made effort to grind their through the snow: http://bikecalgary.org/winter-bike-calgary-city-of-calgary-showcase-your-commute-ride

I believe at least 1 of them, has studded bike tires.

[ny biker]

Well I thought I'd be off the bike this coming weekend because I had plans to meet up with relatives who were traveling to this area for an annual weekend getaway, but now that's been canceled due to the oncoming snow. So I will be off the bike this weekend because of snow. (No studded tires here, and no fat bike either.) I guess I will get my exercise with a snow shovel.

(My warmest boots are all suede, so I don't wear them to tramp around in piles of snow. But for the life of me I can't remember which boots I do usually wear when I'm out shoveling. I recently bought "snow sneakers" from LL Bean, which are insulated and supposedly waterproof, but they're not high enough for the accumulation we might be getting.)

[emily_in_nc]

Absolutely lovely ride on the West Orange Trail (Fla.) yesterday. This time we pedaled from Winter Garden east and north towards Apopka, where we turned around at the station there. The trail continues 3 miles farther north, and once I have built up to it, we'll go to the end. This ride to and from the campground ended up at 31 miles, the longest I've done in a long time. Flat to gently rolling, my quads were burning by the end as there was a headwind on the way back. The trail was almost empty mid-day on a weekday...perfect! Temp was in the upper 60s with mostly overcast skies. The warmest day in awhile.

A few photos:
17941 17942

17943 17940

[Crankin]

That looks nice!

[ny biker]

Finally got in some indoor trainer time late this afternoon. I had planned to do it on Wednesday after work but ended up not getting home until 10 pm due to VDOT's failure to pre-treat the roads prior to the snow that hit during rush hour. Thursday I went to the gym (for weight training) because it was my last chance to get outside until after Snowzilla leaves. Would have done some indoor spinning last night but I accepted an unexpected invitation to a friend's house (a short walk from mine) for dinner. So, today's riding was my first in about a week.

I did the same as my last indoor workout, watched an episode of Sonic Highways on DVD while shifting up and down. I rode a harder gear for 5 minutes, then an easy gear for a couple, shifted up one or two for a couple more, than 5 more at a harder gear, etc. So never super hard but my "average speed" according to the Garmin was 14 mph which is a decent effort overall. I rode for 1 hour 4 minutes, the entire episode with some rewinding here and there. (Thanks to Dave and the boys for making something that holds my attention so well! It was the last episode, filmed in NYC, and I'm sorry there aren't any more. At least there's a boatload of extra footage that I can still watch.)

I expect it will be a while before I ride outside again. The long-range forecast shows temps in the high 40s next weekend but even if that holds, we'll still be digging out from this storm. Oh well, we'll just have to take it one day at a time.

[lauraelmore1033]

What a horrible, horrible ride/day we had on Saturday! We'd both signed up to do the Stinky Spoke rotten weather mtb ride, but I decided just to bring my recumbent and get in a long flat trail ride since I've lost so much ground, cycling wise, and I felt like I should get SOME kind of riding in. I set out in steady rain with hopes that it would ease up at some point. Dh set out on the event course on his shiny new Cannondale cyclocross bike. The rain never did ease up, and I arrived back at the van after a 26 mile ride and found that my phone had gotten wet and was dead. I was frozen and soaked and fired up the van to warm up while I waited for Dh to finish. I was surprised that he hadn't already finished, actually. I put the phone over the defrost vents, hoping it would dry out enough and dreamed of the bratwurst and beer that I would be having shortly after he arrived. I was starving! The phone did eventually come to life and a call from DH immediately came in. He had been trying to call me for a good half hour and was frantic. He'd clipped a tree in a sharp turn, snapping his collar bone and was pushing his bike somewhere along the course. He managed to tell me that he was at the watershed park at Novelty hill road before the phone went dead again. I had no idea how to get there, so I went back to the event start point, trying to find someone to give me directions (or perhaps dispatch a support vehicle?). Everybody was pretty blase about it, and most of the people I talked to mentioned that they too had broken a collar bone at some point. Finally, a guy drew me a map on a scrap of cardboard with a sharpie before pulling down the neck of his shirt to show me a neckline distorted by multiple breaks of the bone. Got to the park 20-30 minutes later, and there wasn't a soul in sight. Phone was still dead, and panic was truly setting in. How in the heck did we manage to do these things before everyone started carrying cell phones! I got out of the car and followed the signs out to the stinky spoke course on the off chance that he was trying to walk the 6 miles or so to the finish. I have never felt so helpless and lost in my life! Eventually, I encountered the event sweeps, who hadn't seen him, and a flurry of fruitless phone calling ensued. Brian wasn't answering his phone, and the list of numbers for the event director weren't getting anywhere. The sweeps decided they would just continue on and look for him on the way, and that I should go back to the start and wait for them. If they had to, they would call 911. Finally! Progress!
Long story short: Strangers had seen Brian pushing his bike down insanely busy Novelty Hill road and had taken him to the hospital. After an another hour of running around like a chicken with her head cut off, I was able to find this unfamiliar hospital and take him home. He was still wearing his muddy cycling clothes and had left a large halo of mud around his body on the bed. The nurses were fussing over him and petting him and marveling that his self diagnosis had been correct. I was wet, matted, stinky and starved and I burst into tears from frustration and relief. What a horrible day.

[Crankin]

That does sound horrible and poor planning by the event organizers. My DH broke his collar bone in 2014. It was a bad break, he had surgery, did PT, and is perfect now. He has a lot of hardware inside.
He was back to easy riding after 5 weeks, although the doctor said 12...

[emily_in_nc]

Damn, Laura, that is terrible! I can only imagine your panic. Was your DH not able to call you from the hospital? He may have been in shock, especially with that terrible weather, in which case, he may not have been thinking too clearly.

My DH broke his collarbone on a solo ride many years ago when he hit a bad spot of pavement, and I remember the panic of racing to pick him up and taking him to the ER. It was a bit of a fiasco as I had been working late in the lab and didn't have my cell phone with me, so he'd been leaving messages for quite awhile before I even found out what had happened, and of course he had to wait, in pain, on the road until I finally got the message and drove over to pick him up. I felt so bad!

I am so sorry you had to go through this and hope he will heal up quickly. I learned how to mow grass for the first time in my life as my DH healed from his, since it happened in the summer. :rolleyes:

[lauraelmore1033]

Hmmm, he's thinking he'd be able to ride (my trike!) in a couple of weeks. He did say that the break was well aligned and surgery wouldn't be required. I'm glad to hear that your Dh is back to perfect now, Crankin.
I'm sure he must have been in shock, Emily, but my phone was cutting in and out, so the calls weren't getting through to me. I felt terrible too. I listened to the messages he left this morning and he kept saying, I don't understand why you're not answering me. That must have been a terrible feeling. The image of him trudging down the hill in pouring rain, pushing that bike haunts me. Thank goodness for kind strangers (who happen to be sag drivers for other events).

[OakLeaf]

Oh man, how awful. I'm glad you were finally able to track your DH down and that his injury wasn't worse, though. Hugs to both of you and quick healing to him.

[azfiddle]

OMG that sounds truly awful. Glad you found him! Hope there is a quick recovery.

As for my riding this week... after two great rides Sunday and Monday last week and then having my road bike stolen I didn't get any real miles in except for test rides until this morning. I rode the Surly 15 miles just up to Saguaro NP and back.

Happily- my new bike has been found and will be set up by Thursday!!!

[ny biker]

Good grief Laura, what a terrible experience. I'm glad your husband's injury wasn't worse.

Glad things are looking up for you, az.

[emily_in_nc]

Ah, how great that you have a trike. That would be the only bike your DH would be able to ride earlier than usual from this injury, I'd think, since he can't risk another fall until totally healed, and besides, putting any weight on the arm on that side is gonna be difficult for some time.

I should add that my DH is fine now too. His break was in a place that surgery was not recommended nor required, though he does have a bump on that shoulder now (it was way down on the shoulder end), and it bothered him for throwing (he played baseball back then) for quite some time. But he was super good about doing his PT and gradually brought it back to full functioning and range of motion.

[ny biker]

I did 45 minutes with the indoor trainer tonight -- I watched a TV show that I'd recorded, a British police show called Luther. I think I got a better workout when I was watching Sonic Highways, but all I really wanted to do was pedal for a while. So mission accomplished!

[Crankin]

Did my first outdoor ride of 2016 today. It's the first time in 3 years I've ridden in either January or February. Rode 3.6 miles to the start, where our group has been sort of highjacked by the really fast riders. Since most of the moderate or slower riders don't ride in the winter, I was thinking I would do the hike they had today, or just ride the ride at my own pace. But, early this morning, another email went out, saying there would be a moderately paced group for those who wanted it, since it was 40 out and the roads are clear. My friend Jack, who is also very active in this club and AMC said he would lead the slower group. So, only he and I said we wanted to go more slowly, but we were right behind the sweep for part of the ride, and eventually passed him, as there was one guy much slower than us. So, we were in the group, after all. At one point we came to a light, on a little hill, where you have to turn right and then a quick left. I hate this spot, so I got to the front, where it's flat and took off when the light turned green. Somehow, I got behind the leaders.... I stayed for awhile (2 miles?), but it did me in. I fell back and waited for Jack. But after this, a few others were back with us.
We rode on familiar roads, in Concord, Acton, Boxborough, and Stow, coming back through west Concord. It was windy today, so it didn't feel 40, but I was mostly dressed correctly. I used my heated gloves, but my winter road shoes just feel a tad cool, even with woolie bullies. I contemplated using chemical heaters, but I lived. Had a nice quinoa salad at the end, at a restaurant I frequent a lot, and then rode the painful 3.6 miles home. Glad I went, and it looks like I will be able to ride outside on Sunday. My total was 40 miles.

[emily_in_nc]

Good job, Crankin! That's a long ride anytime, but especially in January in 40 degrees.

We had another fine ride on Tuesday afternoon over to and on the bike path from Winter Garden (FL) west to Clermont (where it's hilly) and back. 22 miles and change, 65-69 degrees. Here's a beautiful tree I stopped to take a photo of along the way, and an interesting sculpture (I commented on Facebook that I thought it looked like a bike and a corkscrew got together and had a child!)

17951 17950

Since then we've had a lot of rain so not sure when we'll get out again.

[azfiddle]

Crankin I am impressed. I hate riding in the cold!

I did about 10 miles after work on the Surly LHT. I stopped to try to help a mom on the bike path with a one speed cruiser get her back chain on. We ended up getting more help from a couple of guys but they fixed it. I don't have a replacement light yet and tried unsuccessfully to get home by sundown- but it wasn't quite dark. A couple more days of beautiful weather are coming - just in time to try my new bike this weekend! Then next week the temps are dropping down to a high of 50 or so for a few days so I'll be less enthusiastic.

[Catrin]

Good for you Crankin! I never could/wanted to ride much under 38 or so - and that on a day with sunshine and no wind :)

Azfiddle, glad you're having fun with the LHT! I remember mine well.

[lauraelmore1033]

Yesterday I did the "trial" ride for the Cascade club's training series, just to see if I will be ready for the series come april, and if I can actually ride in traffic again without freaking out. I've done the training series for the past 6-7 years and that first ride had gotten to be no biggie. I've lost so much ground that I was barely able to hang onto the back of the group(the slowest goup, in theory) and finish the ride yesterday. So disgusted. The traffic was also terrible because of extensive construction in the area, and drivers were very impatient. Riding near the arboretum in a lane marked with "sharrows" a woman screamed, "Get on the sidewalk!" at our group. In another spot, on Lake Washinton Boulevard, which is a parkway, I believe, a guy in a truck passed the group, laying on the horn. It didn't feel safe, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do the ride without the group.

[emily_in_nc]

Riding near the arboretum in a lane marked with "sharrows" a woman screamed, "Get on the sidewalk!" at our group. In another spot, on Lake Washinton Boulevard, which is a parkway, I believe, a guy in a truck passed the group, laying on the horn. It didn't feel safe, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do the ride without the group.

How awful! I don't get how anyone thinks riding on the sidewalk is safe. In many places it isn't even legal. I am sorry you had that experience. People can be so mean! :mad:

[Crankin]

Keep going, Lauraelmore, it will get easier.
I went to spin class Friday and today I did a short, 18 mile ride with DH. We worked at the condo all morning, doing the hardest part of putting up the Swanstone walls in the bathrooms. A 2X4 kind of fell and grazed my forearm (I was holding it all together, while DH put up the wood for bracing, so the Swanstone adheres to the wall). I am not injured, but a little sore. DH is very sore from lifting these huge pieces and doing all of the other work. But, it's 55 degrees out. Was 52 when we started and cloudy and windy. The sun came out, and I was overdressed, so I ended up taking my headcover off, which cooled me immediately! I felt really good riding, but DH was toast, so we came home.
It feels like the end of March or April out there.

[ny biker]

So sorry you had a bad day, Laura. The construction delays probably did frazzle everyone's nerves. And you are not alone in feeling out of shape -- I rode for a bit more than an hour today around my neighborhood and had that total-lack-of-muscle feeling in my legs. I have my work cut out for me to get back into good condition.

I rode my mountain bike today, for the first time in a long time. The last few times I rode it my wrists were bothering me. I put a new saddle on it and had the saddle position adjusted, and that actually helped somewhat with the wrist problem but it still wasn't comfortable enough for any long or technical rides. I think I might need a narrower handlebar. And today I had a new problem -- my heels were hitting the cranks when I pedaled. This never happened before. And just for fun I had some problems with the left shifter so that needs maintenance. My budget is pretty tight right now so I will probably have to wait a couple of months before I address these issues. One good thing is the new rear fender that I picked up the other night -- it fits the bike perfectly and is easy to put on or take off.

http://www.sks-germany.com/en/products/x-blade-28-29-zoll/

And of course the weather was great, 60F degrees and sunny with no wind. Even though I only rode for an hour (about 11 miles), it really helped clear my head. The amazing healing power of a bike ride!

[rebeccaC]

that West Orange Trail looks like a really nice ride emily!!!!

Working on a proposal for a national science foundation grant this weekend I was looking at the wind blowing through the palm trees and the rain out my window today and decided I wanted to challenge the weather gods. 30+ mph wet winds were a tough challenge but just what I needed to clear my mind from working, for being in the moment of a hard ride and for getting out of my comfort zone. I rode the beach bike path south to be away from the roads and associated water and wind debris. Pounding high tide surf, very few other people and the feelings of just rolling with and through what the weather was doing made for a great 38 mile ride. When riding in this kind of weather on the beach bike paths there is more sand being blown onto the path so I had my zen time of cleaning the bike when I got home too. So now I’m revived from working all weekend, ready to start up again and thankful Mother Nature gave me a good mental break and worked as a catalyst for more productive work tonight.

…..plus I’m not going to be deterred by the Hyades sisterhood of rain nymphs this winter!!!!! :)

[azfiddle]

We had great riding weather this weekend, in advance of some chilly, wet and super windy weather starting tonight. Saturday was the maiden voyage for my new bike and I really wanted to get a feel for the disc brakes. My husband and I included a couple of steep hills at Saguaro NP and up to milepost 3 on the Mt. Lemmon Highway (total 48 miles). Except for the saddle (which seems to fit okay but felt noticeably harder under the sit bones) everything was great. Since they used the measurements for my previous bike, based on a Retul fit I won a few years ago, there was an instant feeling of familiarity in the everything about the way I felt on the bike.

Today I stuck to a pretty flat route on part of the multi use paths which are continuing to expand through and around the city of Tucson, and got in about 40 miles. I planned the route to take advantage of a tail wind on the way home.

[emily_in_nc]

Did another ride on the West Orange Trail today with some wonderful temps -- about 68 starting out and 78 upon our return. Me likie! We stopped for Baskin Robbins on the way back (yum), a guy tried to beg money off us, and I got stung by a bee on the arm right at the end of the ride, so it wasn't a perfect ride, but a pretty darn good one. 37 miles and some wind meant my quads were pretty much gone when we got back. That's my longest ride in well over a year.

[Aromig]

Weather in the Midwest was pretty nice this weekend so I took the bike off of the trainer, changed the tire and got in 10 miles on Saturday (lack of time), a 30 mile brunch ride on Sunday, and even managed a 15 mile lunch ride yesterday. Storms are coming in today so the nice tire is coming off of the bike tonight and back on the trainer it goes.

[ny biker]

Aromig, are you expecting snow? I follow the weather in Nebraska (I have a nephew in school there) and I know they've got a blizzard today. I think it will be rain when it reaches the east coast. I hope whatever you get is not too bad.

I also am putting my bike back on the trainer, but am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to get out for a ride this weekend.

[Aromig]

I'm in Indiana - and we did have some pretty rough rain in southern Indiana yesterday and we'll have some wind today but there's a possibility of outside riding this weekend! I put my bike back on the trainer last night because I want to ride indoors sometime in the next three days but I'm taking it off on Sunday! It's a bit of a pain changing tires to put it on the trainer, but in the past I've really chewed up my expensive tries and I don't like that either.

Speaking of expensive new tires -- I put a BRAND NEW Conti Grand Prix 4 season tire on my back wheel (the one on my front was on less than a month before we hit winter) on Sunday. 8 miles from home (and only like 20 miles on the new tire) I rode over railroad tracks, and heard an awful noise. I thought I'd broken a spoke (sounded like metal flipping around in the tire and hitting the bike). Changed the flat, couldn't find any broken spokes and got home. Went to air it up the next day and the tube popped. It turns out I had a half inch gash in my side wall (I must have picked something up on the tracks and that was the metal sound). I changed to the Conti Grand Prixs from the 4000s IIs because of the added sidewall protection. Ugggh. $80 a tire at my local bike shop (although I know you can find them cheaper online). Lucky me, I have gift certificate leftover from Christmas for the bike shop, just have to decide what tires I want.

[ny biker]

Hmm, I just bought new Conti tires and I think they are the Grand Prix. I haven't put them on my wheels yet, am hoping to make it through the winter with the old tires since they're still in pretty good shape.

It is raining hard here today with flood warnings due to the significant recent snow melt. We were supposed to have warm air from the south, 60F or higher, but apparently some sort of weather "wedge" is keeping it in the mid-40s in my part of Virginia. Which is not great since I dressed for 60 today. Oh well, good thing I grabbed my thin-but-warm Pearl Izumi jacket to wear under my unlined rain coat before I left home. Rumor has it that the warm air did reach southern Maryland so at least my friends who live there are getting a taste of spring. And it bodes well for weekend cycling there since that much more snow will melt today.

[Crankin]

It's raining here, too. Getting heavier as the day goes on. Group ride was cancelled, and it kind of sucks because it's 50 out, so if it wasn't raining, it would be perfect.
I went to spin, where I used harder gears, but paid no attention to the instructor's suggested cadence. I know I am not weak, but on really hard climbs in real life (aka, the road), I use the easiest gear I can and my cadence is 50-60. I can "spin" on flatter ground, but my cadence could never be 70-80 on a big hill. When I don't pay attention to her, my cadence ends up being the exact same thing as it is on the road, I get a good workout, and I am sweaty, but not so exhausted I feel like crap. I know this is very personal, but since my cadence goes down, at least 10 points when i stand, I never do outside, except to strech my legs. I do a little in a class, but mostly I get in a hard gear and stay seated. I can always tell who the outdoor cyclists are, as they are doing the same thing.

[emily_in_nc]

We had the last nice day before rain tomorrow then a big cooldown, so of course we (and almost every other cyclist in the local area, we figure!) got out for a ride on the West Orange Trail again today. Temp in the upper 70s to low 80s, quite windy which made it challenging on the way back into the wind, but we were stoked on Baskin Robbins from the half-way turnaround point. :D 31 miles total.

[Aromig]

I like the current spinning class I've been taking. Its a spin-only studio, not connected with a gym. It's the first one I've ever done where the rides are in near dark - not to keep the temperature down but to keep the competition down :-) She repeatedly tells us that it is our own ride, it is up to us to make it what we need it to be, it doesn't matter what the person next to you is doing, ride your own ride. Most people follow her instructions (and we're out of the saddle a lot, but sometimes she'll keep us seated for a long time too) but enough people do their own thing that you don't feel pressured to follow the instructions if you don't want to.

[ny biker]

It's raining here, too. Getting heavier as the day goes on. Group ride was cancelled, and it kind of sucks because it's 50 out, so if it wasn't raining, it would be perfect.
I went to spin, where I used harder gears, but paid no attention to the instructor's suggested cadence. I know I am not weak, but on really hard climbs in real life (aka, the road), I use the easiest gear I can and my cadence is 50-60. I can "spin" on flatter ground, but my cadence could never be 70-80 on a big hill. When I don't pay attention to her, my cadence ends up being the exact same thing as it is on the road, I get a good workout, and I am sweaty, but not so exhausted I feel like crap. I know this is very personal, but since my cadence goes down, at least 10 points when i stand, I never do outside, except to strech my legs. I do a little in a class, but mostly I get in a hard gear and stay seated. I can always tell who the outdoor cyclists are, as they are doing the same thing.

I did the same thing in the few spinning classes I've taken, also choose my own gears with the Spinervals dvds at home. I also drop my cadence significantly on hills -- it's either that or an asthma attack, and I've got nothing to prove to anyone. ;)

I rode in my living room for about 55 minutes last night. I used the Spinervals Tuscon dvd, the Gates Pass route, but with my own music which of course was a little too loud so I couldn't really hear Coach Troy. But I'm familiar enough with it to know generally where the hills are and the suggested gear is displayed on the screen so it wasn't a problem. Having my own music really helped me not get bored.

I'm planning my weekend ride now.

[rebeccaC]

A friend, Alex, who teaches at Azusa Pacific University wanted to ride into the San Gabriel mountains to Mt. Baldy yesterday so I rode with her. We rode into the San Gabriel’s from Azusa taking the western side route to Mt Baldy. Some very tough climbs, 7900 ft.+ gain, too many 10-16% grade sections and finally some great descents back to Azusa. 86 miles total. Very little traffic was a good bonus.

We are back to our normal sunny 70+ degree weather for a while now. It did get cooler the closer we got to the end of Mt Baldy road. The cooler temps helped in the torturous switchbacks too. The descent back to Mt Baldy village was hard on our rims and we stopped to let them cool down a bit from the braking and do some stretching. Made me wish I had disc brakes!!! Alex made some Allen Lim rice cakes and I brought some homemade energy bars. Both helped with keeping us fueled well but I have to say the salted french fries we had at the Mt Baldy Lodge were GREAT. :)

We went to see the Los Angeles Cathedral Choir perform on the APU campus last night….made for a blessed night following a great day of riding with some incredible views, some good challenges and the enjoyment of being with a good friend ……**plus**……Massage Envy in Azusa for a perfect massage and facial after a hard ride!!!!

[ny biker]

I have relatives who live just west of Azusa. The last time I visited them we went into the mountains (by car) to see the Mount Wilson observatory. It was very nice up there.

Yesterday I had planned to lead a 30-mile club ride, but I ended up cancelling it. There are very few people who ride at a similar pace to mine in the winter; I knew most of them had other plans yesterday and then the only one who I thought might have joined me decided to do a different ride closer to her house. So I expected no one to show up. Then when I woke up yesterday I was just so tired, so I decided to cancel the ride and go back to sleep. I slept for 3 more hours so it was a good choice. Later I found a message on my phone from someone I don't know who did not see the ride cancellation notice that I posted on the club website -- he was at the ride start waiting for me. I feel bad but I posted the cancellation more than 3 hours before the start time, so there's not much else I could have done.

The day ended up being cloudy and chilly and I could not muster the energy to get dressed for a ride outside after I woke up. So I ran some errands and then did an hour on the indoor trainer before dinner. I had Coach Troy on the TV riding Gates Pass and the McCain Loop near Tuscon, but I muted the sound and listened to my own music. At first I figured I would do intervals along with the songs I was listening to -- hard gear for one song, easy gear for the next, hard gear for the one after that, etc., with the dvd just providing some pictures of outdoor cycling so I'd have something to look at. But I ended up out of sync with the dvd so I was in an easy gear while Coach Troy was riding up a hill and in a harder gear while he was going downhill, which I decided I didn't like. So next time I will follow his gear suggestions more. Regardless, it makes a world of difference to have your own music playing during the dvd.

We're expecting a few inches of snow tomorrow followed by very cold (for us) weather through next weekend, so it's good that I've found a way to get good workouts with the indoor trainer.

[Aromig]

Our local group has a brunch ride on Sundays. We've not been doing it this winter, but last week we had nice weather so we met at 10 (normal meeting time is 9). There was no new facebook posting for this week, but given that last week's conversation mentioned we'd be starting at 10 for the next month or so I thought that meant we were back to our normal ride. Nope. I showed up yesterday and no one was there. I decided to ride by myself (it's a nice relaxed easy ride, mostly on a multi-use trail). When I got to the restaurant, I decided I didn't feel like eating by myself so I kept going. Bad decision since I'd not had anything for breakfast either. By the time I got home I was struggling. I'd forgotten shoe covers, so with high winds and temps in the low 40s, my feet were frozen. Without eating I hit the wall after about mile 20. I was thrilled to be home. In the summer I carry an extra energy bar or gu in my bike bag. I emptied it all out in the fall -- I need to put it back in! Still happy I managed to get outside.

[azfiddle]

NY biker- your training video of Gates Pass and McCain Loop is so close to home for me! This time of year it's perfect weather and the wildflowers are starting to come out. I expect to ride out there sometime in the next month. The last hill up to Gates Pass is very tough- I often need to get off of my bike and rest.

I am getting a little into commute mode. Yesterday my husband needed the car so he dropped me off and I rode home. Today I actually got up early and rode in to work via the newly completed bike path- it shaves 1-2 miles off of the routes I used to take, and has no cars for 7.5 of the 9.5 miles. It wasn't too cold, about 45 degrees and I was comfortable with leg and arm warmers and a wind breaker. I've ridden on it recreationally, but it's the first time I commuted on it. Looking forward to the ride home in perfect temperatures: the 70's!

[emily_in_nc]

Finally a lovely warm day after over a week of blustery winds and cool temps. It was still windy but temps were mild and warm, mid-60s to low 70s, and we had a tailwind on the way back, so that's always good! 34 miles, and I will take it.

[emily_in_nc]

A couple photos from our ride...along the shores of Lake Minneola in Lake County, Florida. This part along the lake is flat, of course, but overall there are some decent hills in Lake County; who knew? It is a beautiful part of Florida with Live Oaks, Spanish Moss, and some pretty homes -- along with many lakes. This may be "our spot" once we finally tire of traveling, who knows?

17958 17959 17960

[azfiddle]

Feeling very sorry for the folks in the frozen east - Tucson has had a heat wave and we took full advantage of it- 50 miles yesterday on the extensive Tucson "loop" paths, plus 3 extra miles getting groceries.

Today my husband and I took a leisurely ride to Saguaro NP and around the one-way road through the park. Beautiful weather, and 30 more miles by the end.

[kernowcyclist]

Hi all, it's been a while since i posted... I've been reading the forum though. I've been pretty envious of all you folks who are riding in warm sun. It seems that here in the UK we have been locked into dangerous gales and horrendous rain for months! There's a lot of standing water on the roads, the local streams are using the roads as a short cut! Some areas have been badly flooded.

So I've been forced to use the indoor trainer, it's better than nothing but soooo boring! I put the TV on to try and keep my brain going but a half an hour is more than enough. But today was sunny and dry and I needed to go and get some eggs from the farm up the hill, so I needed no urging. There was a headwind of course, isn't there always; and always a headwind whichever direction you cycle LOL! And the air temp was freezing but it was wonderful to be out in the fresh air again!

I'd been hit by an infection recently and boy my fitness had slumped; that was evident as soon as I started pedalling up the hill, but I made it to the farm ...only to find they had run out of eggs! Rats, I thought...oh well, lets make this ride count so I pedalled another 7 mile loop to get home. It was all narrow country lanes with fab views across to the coast and through the tin-mining world heritage area with it's ruined engine houses looking like crumbling castles. It's my favourite short route and even though I had to negotiate a couple of flooded sections I was so grateful to be out on my bike. Roll on the better weather!17961

[emily_in_nc]

DH and I rode the West Orange bike trail north and east today. We'd expected a pretty, warm day, but instead got an overcast, blustery one, and even though it was warmish (65-70), it felt cooler due to the lack o'sun and the wind. Since it's a US holiday, there were lots of other cyclists out on the trail for a Monday, and nearly all had cycling jackets on except for us, since ours are back in NC. Once we got warmed up, though, we were fine in shorts and bike jerseys.

DH's front brake cable frayed and nearly broke clear through, and he bought a replacement in town on the way back, but it doesn't fit (there's a little dongle on one end that doesn't match the one on his cable), so he's had to walk the 2 miles back to town to try to get one that will work. I felt so bad for him. He had already removed the bad cable so didn't dare ride his bike back, plus he'd already changed out of bike clothes.

The headwind on the way back made for a challenging ride, and my quads feel like we climbed quite a few hills because of it. 31.25 miles.

[rebeccaC]

part of my ride to the base of the eastern sierra nevada's….some perfect desert weather this time of year. got down to the H 50's to L 60's as i got closer to the mountains though. Lots of very lightly traveled side roads in the mojave which can create a quiet solitude feeling when riding especially with the landscape.. wildflowers coming up ftw……there is a 10+ occupant tortoise burrow close to where we are doing our work. We hiked over to it and the females are starting to come out. a one day el-nino storm came in today with some real gusts of wind. i had no thoughts of challenging weather gods and enjoyed listening to the storm as we worked. ellie and i are going to do a long ride in death valley this weekend so i'll have a couple of good rides on this trip.

.https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1518/24983581712_0a9d787eca_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E4HoqQ)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1517/24806154090_da3cf671ae_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DN32nU)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1539/25101762575_fb18b1f7ed_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Efa6tV)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1512/25008473501_692dd41961_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E6UXTB)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1515/25101762145_75c8cf52c4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Efa6mv)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1545/25101763045_57531b3b6a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Efa6C2)

[emily_in_nc]

Wow! That last photo is particularly stunning, Rebecca, but all are amazing, as always.

[Crankin]

OK, I went to spin class today, first exercise in recovering from the crud I've been dealing with. Well, I guess the 2 hikes in sub zero temperatures in Vermont should count, but no cycling, indoors or out in 2 weeks.
Class was empty, as it's school vacation week here and the "drama queens" were not there. I made sure I moderated my intensity (don't want to faint and get in the police log) and it went pretty well. Since the disease was not in my lungs, it's more the increased effort I am concerned about, as I still feel tired when I get up and earlier in the evening. Anyway, I have felt much worse after doing a class, and I did pace myself, which is hard for me. Had half a banana on the way home.
It is going to be about 50 on Saturday and Sunday, so I will ride outside. Feels like winter never happened.

[ny biker]

Hi all, it's been a while since i posted... I've been reading the forum though. I've been pretty envious of all you folks who are riding in warm sun. It seems that here in the UK we have been locked into dangerous gales and horrendous rain for months! There's a lot of standing water on the roads, the local streams are using the roads as a short cut! Some areas have been badly flooded.

So I've been forced to use the indoor trainer, it's better than nothing but soooo boring! I put the TV on to try and keep my brain going but a half an hour is more than enough. But today was sunny and dry and I needed to go and get some eggs from the farm up the hill, so I needed no urging. There was a headwind of course, isn't there always; and always a headwind whichever direction you cycle LOL! And the air temp was freezing but it was wonderful to be out in the fresh air again!

I'd been hit by an infection recently and boy my fitness had slumped; that was evident as soon as I started pedalling up the hill, but I made it to the farm ...only to find they had run out of eggs! Rats, I thought...oh well, lets make this ride count so I pedalled another 7 mile loop to get home. It was all narrow country lanes with fab views across to the coast and through the tin-mining world heritage area with it's ruined engine houses looking like crumbling castles. It's my favourite short route and even though I had to negotiate a couple of flooded sections I was so grateful to be out on my bike. Roll on the better weather!17961

Thanks for checking in! I'm glad you finally were able to get outside.

[ny biker]

OK, I went to spin class today, first exercise in recovering from the crud I've been dealing with. Well, I guess the 2 hikes in sub zero temperatures in Vermont should count, but no cycling, indoors or out in 2 weeks.
Class was empty, as it's school vacation week here and the "drama queens" were not there. I made sure I moderated my intensity (don't want to faint and get in the police log) and it went pretty well. Since the disease was not in my lungs, it's more the increased effort I am concerned about, as I still feel tired when I get up and earlier in the evening. Anyway, I have felt much worse after doing a class, and I did pace myself, which is hard for me. Had half a banana on the way home.
It is going to be about 50 on Saturday and Sunday, so I will ride outside. Feels like winter never happened.

I'm glad you're on the mend. I wish I could say that it feels like winter never happened ... I've been finding the bad weather to be downright depressing. Like literally I spent this past Monday in my pajamas watching TV, unable to work up the energy to do anything else, while outside the snow turned to freezing rain that coated everything in ice. I'm mostly okay if it's cold and sunny but I just can no longer handle the feeling of being trapped indoors by winter storms. I think it's actually a combination of things -- when you add snow on top of stress at work and these damn perimenopausal mood swings, it just becomes overwhelming.

They've been saying that tomorrow will be sunny and warm with highs in the 60s. I planned a club ride with a stop at a bike-friendly deli that has outdoor tables. Now the Weatherbug app on my phone is saying it will be cloudy all day. Unfortunately when Weatherbug says the weather will be worse than every other local forecast, they are usually right. Meanwhile someone else has posted a ride at the same time as mine in an area where everyone but me loves to ride. The upshot of all this being that I suspect no one will come to my ride.

I hate feeling like this, I hope spring gets here soon.

(Sorry to be such a downer. I'm going to go look at photos of flowers and blue skies now.)

[Crankin]

You are right, NY, the way you feel is not just the weather. I was away last weekend, during the really freezing weather (-21 in Vermont, where I was), so despite being sick, I did get out for the 2 hikes, when it was between 0 and 20 degrees. We haven't had more than 4 days where I had to stay inside when I had planned to go outside. In fact, I rode 3-4 times in January outside, which I haven't done in 2-3 years. I feel like there's been no winter, because i haven't been able to enjoy the winter sports I love. Even when we went to the Mt. Washington area last month and than last weekend, the conditions for nordic skiing were either barely acceptable, or non-existent. My normal cold weather season is to keep riding until about the middle of December, with more hiking and gym in November and December, and then snow sports in January and February, maybe the first 2 weeks in March. The season here is very short and I just can't go up north every weekend. I feel like this weather is neither good for skiing or cycling and I have been at the gym too much. Can't get excited about my first ride of the season in March, because I haven't stopped riding outside.
I couldn't live somewhere where it was warm all year because of this. I like the change in activities.

[emily_in_nc]

Here ya go, NY! It has even been a little below normal here in Central Florida, but I did get these photos (unfortunately no blue sky) on today's bike ride. I love love love Redbuds as they are such a harbinger of spring in North Carolina. Here in Florida, spring comes a little earlier!

17962 17963

31.5 miles in fairly windy, mostly overcast conditions. Temps in the upper 60s.

[Crankin]

NY, you had that big storm, like we had last year. Because of the poor response to clearing the roads, etc., no wonder you are edgy! I was very isolated from the horrific mess in the city last year, in terms of plowing, parking, and the public transportation not running. We had some minor damage from ice dams, but we had a new roof done a couple of years ago, which saved us. My work closed for 3 of the days. So, I got to just enjoy the 3 feet of snow and we did 3-4 ski weekends.
I just don't remember winters like this one, when I was a kid. Itseemed like it snowed a lot, every year.

[Crankin]

I did a small 13.5 mile ride; the same one I usually do at 5:30 AM. It's warm (55), but very windy. It felt very hard, especialy when some guy got on my wheel on a flat and I felt compelled to stay ahead of him. Then, he passed me like I was standing still.
The main road right outside my neighborhood is in terrible shape. After tomorrow, I almost hope the weather is wintry enough that I don't ride until I move. In fact, tomorrow, I am thinking about starting from the condo. Now I have to go clean my bike.

[Crankin]

I ended up doing another ride of 13.5 miles today, although I thought I would do more. DH is still not feeling well, so he did not ride, and I am trying to keep these winter rides "fun." So, to avoid the horrible road conditions I described yesterday, I headed out up Strawberry Hill. Not fun for a warm up and I did get dropped by a guy, but it was the right choice. When I got to the turn off for going home, I rode to Concord Center instead, and then came right back. I dropped 2 people who proceeded to get on my wheel, making me work more than I like! Today's ride was hillier, but I felt better, rode faster, and I am glad I cut it short.
Back to my regular gym schedule this week.

[kernowcyclist]

We'll done crankin, on keeping up the rides in that vile weather. I hope your DH feels better soon though.

I'm looking forward to next week, some better weather's coming apparently so I shall get out!

I had a saddle fit at my local bike shop today and a selle italia is on order.....my bottie can't wait lol ��

[Geonzy]

I got in 21 miles yesterday -- 67 degrees in Illinois!!! and only 12 mph winds!!

I spent 20 minutes mucking about with this stupid forum software (I was *so* pleased that I remembered my login stuff yesterday, so I can't understand why the same stuff didn't work today -- and it wouldn't let me reset and kept telling me I was an evil bot-woman unless I could come up with a brand teamEstrogen carries beginnign with K, which there isn't). So I don't know if I'll get a real ride in besides the commute... last week it was plummeting temps and 25 mph winds and 3 inches of snow ...

[azfiddle]

Ridiculously warm weather for February in Tucson- mid to high 80s continue. i got out for rides Saturday (37miles) and Sunday (21 miles). Wildflowers are starting to show up more and more... it's just SO early....

[rebeccaC]

thanks emily!!!!


Ridiculously warm weather for February in Tucson- mid to high 80s continue.

in the mojave in the afternoon too but that's normal here....cool in the nights and mornings here though..

Death valley is a nice place to ride this time of year. Temps started in the 60’s and ended in the 80’s for our ride. We did the climb up to dante’s view when it was cooler and then rode badwater rd to death valley junction. Stopped for water, carbs and relaxing at the eclectic marta becket’s amargosa opera house (a must see ballet performance :)) and headed back. Did a short hike into golden canyon on the way back. 113 miles. Only two more days of work and the desert and it’s back to my urban life.

A few photos from the ride
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1699/24553744354_6a4e1b51cb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DpJmKU)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1621/24816729489_2a8322d7f7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DNYe5n)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/24553756774_32279c7fe4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DpJqs3)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1698/25186201575_44b7bfbd8f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EnBSfK)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1478/25184431735_7b766e78eb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EnsN9g)


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/25158079366_c97d150db4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ek8Jv5)


from rhyolite earlier in the week…
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/24557596423_4dabd3a030_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Dq56QT)

[Catrin]

Beautiful!

[azfiddle]

Wow, beautiful photos. Death Valley has such a stark beauty

[khg]

I haven't been on a *ride* ride since September... Commuting, errand running, etc yes--but yesterday I finally got out on a bike ride for the sake of a bike ride!

It was one I've been planning on doing--a familiar loop of the south end of Lake Washington, and around Mercer Island--except I wanted to try it on my single speed bike to see if I could do it. Not only was it the longest ride I've done since September, it was also the longest ride I've done on that bike. I'm glad I finally did--I like how that bike rides a lot, and I find the single speed fun and relaxing. I'm never worrying about whether I should be changing gear, for one... Clears an amazing amount of mental space! There were a couple parts I almost had to walk, but I managed to stay on the bike the whole time (I was also very strategic with my route planning!)

It was a nice morning--a little chilly, but refreshing once I got going. Sunday traffic was pretty light, leafless trees make for better water and mountain views, and the snow on the mountains is really beautiful right now--I was having a great time. I knew that some rain would be moving in around midday, and I was hoping to either beat it, or that it wouldn't be that bad. Well, I almost beat it, but boy did I get caught in a downpour! The wind picked up and drove stinging needles of rain into my face riding across the Lake Washington bridge, but since I was just a few miles from home, it wasn't too bad, and I felt pretty badass for being out in it. And after a while in a piping hot shower, I regained feeling in my fingers and toes.

Of course, shortly after I got home, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and it ended up being a gloriously beautiful afternoon and evening. But it was a fun ride, felt like an adventure, and it was really nice to get out riding again.

[ny biker]

Catching up... I rode outside last Saturday. It was a club ride with 8 people. Temps were in the low 60s and it was cloudy, with a chilly breeze at the deli near the Chesapeake Bay where we had our rest stop. The original forecast called for sunshine all day so I had hoped for a nice lunch at an outdoor table at that deli. However on Friday afternoon one local meteorologist said he had a feeling that clouds would linger through the morning and early afternoon, and he has a good track record so I suspected he would be right, and it turned out that he was. Oh well, the clouds were not too gray or thick and we could at least see a vague outline of the sun through them. More importantly, even with the chilly breeze it was not really cold, and there was no sign of the snow and ice from a few days earlier. We rode 35 miles. Since I haven't been riding lately my goal was to keep my average speed above 12 mph, but as it turned out I was able to keep it above 13 without feeling too tired. I did slow down a bit in the second half to stay with someone who had trouble with a particularly steep hill. At the end I felt hopeful. We may still get hit with more snow, but I can see the light of spring at the end of the tunnel.

Last night I rode for 50 minutes on the indoor trainer while watching behind-the-scenes footage of the Foo Fighters recording songs on the Sonic Highways dvd. It was really interesting hearing them work on different tracks without hearing the vocals or drums along with it.

We should have another warm day on Sunday, so I'm tentatively planning to ride then, and then will take my bike to the shop for its annual clean-and-tune service. The LBS is offering a discount on their routine service packages through the end of the month, so this is a good time to get it done.

[rebeccaC]

khg....single speed fun ftw!!!!...not so much on the stinging needles part though :(

Rode my fixie on the beach bike path to breakfast with some friends in Manhattan Beach this morning. Now some office work for the rest of today.

Yesterday I rode to the Unitarian church in downtown Los Angeles for a meeting of L.A. churches, community members and organizers to bring together a larger base of support for some new initiatives on sex trafficking and violence. It’s emotionally satisfying to see the amount of caring work being done by so many and bringing them together to enable that work even more.
Beautiful day for riding with temps in the 70’s and just a little wind coming off the ocean going towards home on the bike path. 46 miles. Blessed interactions and riding weather made for a great day

[Crankin]

I rode just under 27 miles with my friend today. It was about 59 degrees by the time we got back, and about 46 at the start, with a breeze out of the southwest (the warm air direction). We rode from her house in Acton on a favorite hilly route through Stow, a bit of Harvard and Bolton, and Boxborough, and back. I actually did not do this ride more than once or twice last summer, so it was nice, but the first climbs felt exceeding hard. I stayed with my friend most of the ride, except for the climbs and a part of the ride where she needed me to lead, as she always gets lost there. So, it was a very relaxed pace for me, but I got a good workout because of the hills. On the way back, I stopped to talk to a woman I know from years ago, when she used to take my aerobics class. She was outside, sitting in her garden, that's how warm it was. My friend enjoyed hearing about me back in the day, with big hair and leg warmers...

[ny biker]

I ended up doing an impromptu 50 minute ride on the indoor trainer on Friday after work. I had gotten to the gym too late the previous night to do a full workout, so I was going to do some leg exercises at home Friday night using the suspension trainer. But then I decided a bike workout would be better. I spent a fair amount of time in a hard gear and it ended up being a good workout.

Yesterday (Sunday) I led a 36-mile club ride. The weather was beautiful -- sunny and in the 60s. There were only three of us on the ride, as there are not many in the club who ride at my pace and the faster riders had a different ride scheduled for the same afternoon. But no matter, we three had a very nice time. We passed lots of cows and horses out in the fields who also were enjoying the warm sun.

Afterwards I took my bike to the LBS to drop it off for its annual clean-and-tune service. I had thought they would tell me the cassette was worn and needed to be replaced, but they said it looked good. I should have the bike back in a few days.

[azfiddle]

Tucson has a four day holiday weekend at the end of February - Rodeo Days. So I took advantage of the very unseasonably warm weather and rode 40 miles Thursday, 50 miles each on Friday and Saturday and a short ride Sunday of about 12 miles. The rides were all on Tucson's east side around Pistol Hill and Saguaro National Park.

[Crankin]

Reminds me of Parada del Sol. Not that I remember too much, as I was too busy partying...