Sept 6th Rides

So my commute this morning started out with temps at 60 degrees. Yeah I know: for some of you northern ladies 60 ain't nothing but for this desert rat..................

Pulled out the leg warmers and arm warmers, the longer inseam shorts, the heavier socks. Switched out the pedals on the vintage Trek for SPD so I can switch to my MTB shoes which can accomodate heavier socks. Heaved a big sigh and left for my morning ride. Not too bad - my upper arms were still chilly when I got here and my "flanks" were a tad chilled, toes kinda cold but livable! Took stock of my winter clothing during my commute, decided what I needed to replace right away (shoe covers) and what can wait for a few weeks (balaclava) and decided: yeah - I can do this again this winter. I'll whine, I'll pray the guys have coffee made when I get here, I'll hate having to haul all my change of winter clothes back and forth - and I'll love every morning I get up and commute in the cold coz it's another day I shook my fist at the elements and proved to myself I'm tougher than I think!

Isn't it funny how the same temperature affects us differently? My commute in was at 62 degrees, but I had my usual shorts, jersey and screaming yellow windbreaker on. I typically don't pull out the leg warmers until it gets into the low to mid fifties, then I have to cover up the goose bumps! I am looking forward to cooler rides.

Ride in was smooth. Usually is after cleaning the chain and deraillers, :rolleyes: .

Wow Corsair - you're my hero!! I hope I can do the cold weather thing this winter!!

Anyway - I had a great ride - 50 km today on a gorgeous day with little wind - I've been riding like a maniac this week racking up the kilometerage ( is that a word??) while the weather holds - 'cuz I know it ain't gonna last!

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Originally Posted by Bicyclette

Wow Corsair - you're my hero!! I hope I can do the cold weather thing this winter!!

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Thanks but we don't get that much snow here in the desert southwestern part of the US, and what little snow we get rarely stays past the noon sun. My winter commute will be in avg temps of 10-30 degrees for a low and 35 - 50 for a high. It's the ladies that commute all winter in the snow and those bone-chilling temps of 15 degrees and below that I doff my cap too!

No kidding about the little snow here in NM. Heck, forget little, of late it has been none!

I can't recall a single time last year when it snowed, or if it did, that it stayed on the ground for more than a few hours...tops :P

Morning commute was in 60 degree weather. Cool, damp, foggy. Had the rear blinky on (with a dying battery....hmmmm) and for the first time in ages, wore my reflective triangle thingy around my waist.
By this afternoon, it warmed up to mid-70's. This afternoon, I had a much needed trip to the chiropractor, so for the ride home, my back was chilled with BioFreeze and brrrr, it was cold!
15.1 miles round-trip at a leisurely 11.1 mph average. Rode with a co-worker, so we spend most of our commute - both ways - chatting.
Neighborhood kids were out riding their bikes up and down the street when we got back to the house. 2 of 3 were actually wearing helmets (the one who wasn't gave hers to her friend, but she never wears it and I hound her about it all the time (she's 6). At that young age, she already complains that it messes up her hair! Arrrrgghhhhh.
But one of the boys was riding his mtb with NO air in the rear tire (the front was not much better). Gave him a quick education on why air is important in the tires and filled up both. My DH and I are the street's bike repair couple. We're forever pumping up tires, fixing flats (pinch flats, of course), and making minor adjustments. Can't seem to convince them to NOT drop the bike on the gear-side!

Since I had done my record breaking 40.7 mile ride on Monday, I rested Tuesday because I was rather sore all over (esp. thighs). But today I got out and did my favorite little 11 mile route with a couple of moderate hills. Felt good to get my body loose and warmed up again. I love wearing some of my longer tights and long sleeves and vests, feels so cozy in the cool wind!
Been sleeping like a rock from all the biking I've been doing lately. Sheesh, I don't even have to get up in the middle of the night to pee- are my muscles all getting stronger, even my bladder? Drinking plenty of water w/electrolytes, and eating lots of fresh fruit and apples.
Next 2 days look like nice and cool and sunny....want to RIDE! :)

I bought a used mountain bike last week...a specialized rockhopper...kind of old...but only $40. My mechanic said the tires were worth that! It seems to be ok shifting and brakes work. I thought I could use it to commute to work and I wouldn't worry as much about leaving it locked outside.. so I did about 5 miles just to see how it felt. (NEED NEW SADDLE!) I think it will work for me. :) I will probably put fenders on it. Boy was hubby surprised when I brought another bike home :eek:

Did an hour of double track and fireroads at Umstead Park on a beautiful day with sunshine, highs in the 70s, and low humidity. FUN and felt great! Had a lower heart rate than ever before on this ride and was able to stay in higher gears on the climbs, so a combination of improving fitness and my new Advair inhaler must be helping there. Only downside is I burned less calories than on this same route a month ago (488 vs 600!)

Emily

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Originally Posted by Tater

Ride in was smooth. Usually is after cleaning the chain and deraillers, :rolleyes: .

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No ride today, darn it: grandbaby-sitting instead. Oh well...
BUT
thanks for reminding me! I been meaning to get to the chain and such this week!

Karen in Boise

I rode the stationary bike in the fitness center. :o I need to get back in the saddle now that DH is out of the hospital and clear to start riding. He is itching to start riding again and I think I will be the one out of condition!