First Ride of the Year!

I rode the Oregon Randonneurs New Year's Day 200K - which was actually 206k (128 miles). It was coooooooold. 28 degrees for the 7:30am start. High of 35. I have Raynaud's Syndrome quite severely and really suffer in the cold, so apparel is absolutely critical for me. Fortunately, I know where to get some great stuff. :-)

The run down, from head to toe:
Sugoi Midzero Balaclava http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_92917U.html
Louis Garneau Helmet Cover http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1083072.html
Tifosi Envy Sunglasses http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTI_TV031.html
Craft Pro Zero Extreme Base Layer http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_1900244.html
Smartwool Full Zip Wool Jersey (sold out)
Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Phantom Jacket http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JPHALO.html
Pearl Izumi Amfib Gloves http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_8819.html
Icebreaker Wool Cycling Knicker (new for S'11 - not yet on market)
Pearl Izumi Amfib Tights http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_4355.html
Smartwool knee high snowboarding socks (we don't sell the snowboarding socks, but they are among the thickest socks SW makes. )
Little Hotties Foot Warmers (bottom of feet) http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIP_07005.html
Little Hotties Toe Warmers (top of feet) http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIP_07008.html
Sidi Goretex Winter Booties http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSD_10210.html
Pearl Izumi Shoe Covers http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_9292.html
homemade bootie liners!

I run cold, so while many people would roast in what I was wearing, for me it was perfect. I'll also say that as I was set up, it was very easy for me to regulate my ventilation as I warmed up and cooled down. I zipped and unzipped the jacket and pit zips on the Gore piece as needed. The balaclava stretches really well, so when I was cold it was over my mouth, when I was warm it was under my chin.

I carried extra clothing (dry bra and base layer, which I changed at the halfway mark, so that I'd have a fresh dry layer next to my skin), extra gloves, extra beanie, more toe warmers.

Homemade bootie liners: these are made out of hot water heater aluminized bubble wrap (the stuff you wrap your hot wat heater in, to insulate it). Jeff got a wild hair and made them for me a few days ago. He says they are rated R-3. :D They certainly worked, in combination with everything else on my feet. I was out for 10 hours. The little hotties finally gave up the ghost around 8 hours, and that was when my feet started to chill. But I was so grateful for 8 hours of warmth. Usually the little hotties alone help, but aren't quite enough for me. Again, for most people, this would be way overkill, but I spend much of my day (inside and outside) struggling with the circulation in my extremities, so I'll try just about anything.

Chili Challenge, 2011

LOTS of people this year. It was relatively nice. We ride awhile and then stop and watch the polar bear swim. We ride back to the park clubhouse and enjoy chili and talking about the upcoming spring and summer riding plans. Love this ride.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6277033_n.jpg

Did my first ride of the year today in light rain. I normally don't ride in the rain b/c I hate cleaning my bike, but we've been trying to have a car-free week, and I didn't want to blow it (tomorrow is the 7th day as I work from home on Mondays, then I have to drive on Tues.) It helped that it was quite warm at the start (63), though down to 54 by the end as a cold front is coming in.

We rode our Bike Fridays to the food co-op for groceries. Just 12.5 miles but mostly urban so it was slightly over an hour ride. So glad I did it! It's going to be much colder next weekend, so this may be my last ride for awhile...

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/z...684800x600.jpg

DH and I rode our mtn bikes today about 18 miles. We had studded tires on which I was happy about due to the recent snow storm we had and the roads being packed with snow/slush/ice. It was in the upper 20s during the ride. It was a very nice day for a ride despite the road conditions...almost fell a few times in the thicker slushy/icey ares:o.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Did my first ride of the year today in light rain. I normally don't ride in the rain b/c I hate cleaning my bike, but we've been trying to have a car-free week, and I didn't want to blow it (tomorrow is the 7th day as I work from home on Mondays, then I have to drive on Tues.) It helped that it was quite warm at the start (63), though down to 54 by the end as a cold front is coming in.

We rode our Bike Fridays to the food co-op for groceries. Just 12.5 miles but mostly urban so it was slightly over an hour ride. So glad I did it! It's going to be much colder next weekend, so this may be my last ride for awhile...]

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It is wonderful to read about all of these wonderful rides that TE members are able to take these first few days in the year. Our warm temps left after only one day, and I am sick (literally, sinus stuff, ugh)

I love your photo and of course recognize your trunk bag as I've the same one, and I can see the Arkel logo on the panniers. Is the seat-bag Arkel as well?

We got our first ride of the year in yesterday. Those are few and far between. It was good to get it done and my requirements for dry roads were met. it was cold and windy however.

I might go out tomorrow. We only got one day of warm weather, and it's supposed to get back into the 30s, with snow in the forecast. Sigh. At this rate, my first ride of the year might be in March!

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I love your photo and of course recognize your trunk bag as I've the same one, and I can see the Arkel logo on the panniers. Is the seat-bag Arkel as well?

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No, it's just a cheapie from Performance that happened to be red as well. We have two full sets of front/rear red Arkel panniers we bought for our 2004 Bike Tour in NY State, plus two black handlebar bags. They are such great bags. The Tailrider stays on my bike always since I am primarily a utility cyclist now and always need to take along a bunch of stuff - or bring things home in it!

Hope you feel better soon!

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Originally Posted by abejita

Hubs and I and two of our friends took a quick spin around the lake this morning. Great way to start the year! It was cold...28! Off to get shoe covers and glove liners cause I couldn't feel my feet and toes when we got home. Last year, I rode a grand total of 3654 miles. Not bad for my first full year of cycling.

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That's more than 10 miles every day! Do you ride to work?

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

I rode the Oregon Randonneurs New Year's Day 200K - which was actually 206k (128 miles). It was coooooooold. 28 degrees for the 7:30am start. High of 35. I have Raynaud's Syndrome quite severely and really suffer in the cold, so apparel is absolutely critical for me. Fortunately, I know where to get some great stuff. :-)

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Wow, wow and WOW! Thank you for sharing that long list too.


I've posted about my first ride of the year on my new bike over on the newbies thread here . Six muddy miles, just above freezing, and I can't wait to do it again.

28 mile recovery-ish ride with some friends. Great way to start the year!!

Holy guacamole everyone, with your riding in 20-30 degree temps. Way to go!

I've been sick, sick, sick since New Year's Eve. This nasty cold that turned into bronchitis completely derailed my beginning of the year riding plans. :( :( :(

I finally got out today - for a 15 minute ride! I was still feeling icky, but I really wanted to get out and spin my legs. And so I did. Baby steps, I guess.

I've got a major case of sniffles since Thursday Dec. 30. That's when my boss came in two sheets to the wind and coughing at everyone. :mad: I'll be sick for another three weeks. so no riding in January. :mad::mad:

The good news is that the cold kept me from getting into trouble for New Year's celebration. :D I was wayyy good. Maybe santa will be very nice to me for 2011 :D:D

off to drinking gallons of OJ. yummm.