No snow...no blizzards here in MD. And, my back is better.
Today, I had a hard time getting out of bed, and kept hitting the snooze button. :o
Wonderful ride in - Roads were empty. I guess everyone is off to go get groped at airports! :rolleyes:
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No snow...no blizzards here in MD. And, my back is better.
Today, I had a hard time getting out of bed, and kept hitting the snooze button. :o
Wonderful ride in - Roads were empty. I guess everyone is off to go get groped at airports! :rolleyes:
((( sigh))) . . . It's starting to look like it's going to be another one of "thoses" winters. It's not even December and we're already starting to talk about feet of snow instead of inches. :( The snow plows are starting to fill up the bike lanes with snow and there's about a three foot berm of snow blocking the bike path. We had to dig a path for our short legged dog to go pee this morning! As much as I like snow . . . this much, this early sucks! Barring a sudden warm-up, it looks like my commuting days may be over for the year. :mad:
My report on this week's goals: vacation in Costa Rica! :D
I had toyed with the idea of renting a bike but I'm glad that didn't pan out. We had also intended to rent a car and I'm glad we didn't end up doing that either, we hired a driver for our 2 excursions. Costa Rica roads are crazy! So many cyclists and pedestrians and dogs on very narrow roads, every car drives as fast as it can in between speed bumps (muertos), and my heart just about stopped several times per mile from fear that we were going to hit a person or dog.
So, the only biking was one short trip this afternoon. I jogged a couple times, and swam in the ocean a bit, mostly I played with the tide in the ocean. I was excited to have a chance to practice swimming in open water. I walked a lot. I always woke up so early in the mornings that I had time to check my email and go for a walk or jog before DH & DD were awake, and catch a glimpse of monkeys.
Of course I didn't stick to any kind of regular training schedule. I did do my core exercises approximately every other night.
Only one day last week. My bike was in the shop.:(
I decided to ride this morning despite snow, drifts and winds. About halfway there I was seriously questioning the sanity of that decision. I didn't want to turn around, though so I pulled my Buff up a little higher on my frozen face and finished the commute. The ride home was a little better (wind died down to about 20-25 mph). Some of the drifts were a bit extreme. I even had to walk a bit. Still, I was glad to be back on my bike.
Deb
I want to join in!
I just started a new job and got the ok to park the bike in the office. No problem!
It's 4.5 miles, very flat. I'm going to start riding in tomorrow morning.
I'll be leaving at 7:30am, and riding home at 5pm. It's supposed to be 19deg tomorrow am so I have my heaviest clothes laid out to ride in. Got my Niterider headlight for the ride home.
I plan to ride 4-5 days per week, as long as roads are not too icy.
5 for 5 this week. Began and ended the week with vicious high winds. The middle of the week was nice, though. Probably won't get any riding in this weekend – 'tis the season of Christmas activities.
Deb
Still not back on the bike after my knee surgery 5 weeks ago, but enjoying reading everybody's updates. Really encouraging! Can't wait to get back out there myself! :)
2 for 5 this week. That's what my goal was, but if it weren't for sheer laziness I would have done 5. Some days getting out of bed 45 min. earlier when it's freezing cold is just hard. ;)
Enjoyed my two days, tho. VERY much!! It's in the teens and 20's in the mornings and I'm still not good and dressing cold enough so I'm not burning hot by the end of my ride.
The forecast for my area today:
TODAY: Partly To Mostly Cloudy; Windy; Isolated Mountain Snow Shower
WINDS: WNW 15-20 Gusts 35-40 m.p.h.
HIGHS: Upper 30s (WIND CHILL 20s)
It was 28 degrees (-2C) this a.m. when I left (not sure of the wind speed at that point, but it was blustery).
Yet still I rode. This past weekend (Saturday), it was a bit warmer, yet I didn't go out for a ride at all. I puttered in the house, did a home workout, and raked leaves (made brownies! :rolleyes:).
I'll commute in colder, windier weather than I'll ride in for a "social" ride. I wonder why that is...why I'm so eager to hibernate on a cold weekend, but I'll ride on a cold weekday to work. Is it because I know my commutes are shorter than my social rides, or what?? Is it because my bike commutes are usually the best part of my work day??
Me too, I'll brave anything to bicycle for transportation but my weather-standards for a recreational ride are much higher. For me, it's because transportation is useful. But a recreational ride is just for my own enjoyment. It would have to be one heck of a ride to enjoy it when the weather is bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7rider
My report for the week:
Very successful on the running, gym workout, swimming, and core exercises.
"Staying home when sick" didn't come up this week. Although I did skip the core exercises on a day I was supposed to do them, because I didn't feel like it and it occurred to me that rather than make myself do them I could for once listen to my body and let it go until tomorrow. Wild concept!
i recently bought a bike with the ultimate goal of commuting to work. someone in my office rode in this morning and i'm jealous! i'm ok with cold weather, but i don't have any sort of windproff jackets or gloves. and, like everyone else in the county, i'm SO BROKE. so far all the stuff i've looked at is super expensive. any advice?
p.s. melavai! i'm originallyl from missouri and several of my friends went to college in kirksville. we were all convinced that kirksville's always 10-20 degrees colder than it is anywhere else in missouri!
The reason I like the expensive stuff is that if it is made specifically for cycling, it doesn't have flappy bits that can get in the way or get caught in the chain and cause you to wreck. But you can go a long ways with regular clothes if you secure everything using rubber bands, safety pins, velcro straps, duct tape, anything you can think of!Quote:
Originally Posted by hilaryclaire
I don't know how cold is cold for you. Layers are the key. A base layer that is wicking, an outer layer that blocks the wind, and if it's really cold (for me that's about 35F) a layer in between.
The other important things are your extremities. A balaclava for your head (nashbar has them on sale for $8), ski gloves, maybe with a liner, thick wool socks--but not so thick that they constrict. However much you layer up it must all be loose or you will end up colder.
Your priority is gloves and a balaclava. Then start thinking about a windblocking jacket.
One of the first things I learned is that a winter coat doesn't work well on the bike, even in the coldest of cold. It makes me too hot in the wrong places and leaves me much too cold in others. There are two other tricks I've learned: warm up before you go out (ie jumping jacks or something), and when you arrive, wait 10 minutes to stop sweating and then change into your clean shirt and/or other work clothes.
You don't have to get cycling-specific gear. The best cold weather piece I have for commuting and cold-weather recreational riding is an old cashmere cardigan sweater that I got at a thrift store. It has holes in it, which is good for riding. I layer it with a non-cotton long sleeve shirt and either a shell or heavier jacket depending on the conditions. Usually a shell is enough once I get riding. I can unbutton and button as needed.
You can wear a thin hat under your helmet, or get an band that just covers your ears. I wear cycling shorts and tights because I have them, but thrift-shop wool slacks over cycling shorts will do fine. Just be sure to secure them at the ankles to keep the fabric out of the way.
Gloves you can get just about anywhere. I like ski mitten/gloves; you can also layer gloves and mittens.
Balaclavas absolutely don't work for me. I fashion a balaclava-ish thing out of a merino Buff. I can adjust it to cover more or less depending on how cold I am, and it breathes so I don't get all sweaty. I wear wool leggings under my jeans. A thin turtleneck and wool sweater under a windproof shell (with pit zips) is usually enough unless it is really cold. Then a cardigan over the sweater, under the shell is sufficient. I love Smartwool snowboarding socks with my Keen shoes or hikers. I have a thin merino beanie for under my helmet. The one place I really need warmth is my hands. I have some extremely warm gauntlet-style snowmobile mittens. I doubt they'd work with bar end shifters. They work just fine on riser bars with regular Shimano click-shifters. They're really more puffy than bulky (800 or so gram Thinsulate). If my hands and toes are warm, I do pretty well.
Deb
BHB--anyone who commutes by bike 5 for 5 in December in South Dakota has my ultimate respect and admiration. Good going!
I second the recommendation for smartwool snowboarding socks. They are incredibly comfortable, and the extra layer of padding on the shin which is meant to prrotect against boot chafing has the added advantage of extra wind blocking while bike riding. None of my winter gear is specifically for biking (except my helmet), and for me the essentials are: warm mittens (my fingers get too cold when they are separated by glove fingers) , wool socks, synthetic fuzzy pants from REI (that wierd fuzzy stuff spun from pop bottles, can't remember what it's called), a regular winter coat, and some sort of hat/scarf combo or balaclava. I also adore my ski goggles, but if you are on a budget start with good gloves or mittens and quality socks and layer the rest, buying quality pieces as you can afford.
Oh and I forgot to update, today the temps were betwee 15-30 degrees, and it seems like its been about the same all week. After the 2 day work week due to the holiday, I'm back to 5 a week commuting. I'm kind of enjoying peeking in at everyones brightly lit christmas trees in the windows as i ride home in the dark.
I like looking at the Christmas lights also! The snowman that plays carols at me as I ride by sometimes startles me.
None of my winter gear (except helmet) is bike-specific. The key is layers. I'm always unzipping or zipping something as I get further into my ride. A parka just doesn't allow for temperature adjustment.
Good lights are also a must! My L&M Stella batteries have been incredibly unreliable after a very short time. I'm waiting for the arrival of a different lighting system.
Deb
I did it! Twice!!
I've stoked a couple tandem rides, but had not been on my bike since I got sick before halloween. But I rode yesterday and today. Both were beautiful, early, cold--high 30s is my guess.
I was flirting with applying for my old job (from 8 years ago) but the travel is yucky (itinerant, and not a feasible bike commute) so as of this week, my current job wins.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!
Finally a little momentum! I've got 3 in a "row", which for me with my nutty schedule lately is over the past two weeks. Still, it's helping bring my percentage much closer to my goal. A wild mix - one morning it was 15, the next day it was above freezing which is quite rare.
I'm also loving the Christmas lights and am starting to take slightly different routes to take in new ones. I'm not so fond of the singing ones either -- I love basking in the nighttime dark & quiet!
I had my favorite giant orange crescent moon setting over the black silhouette of the mountains the other night, and have been playing the game of "which animal is it behind the eyes reflecting back my headlight??" (usually cats, but last time a raccoon.) I'm almost sorry that solstice is around the corner, because once I get into this winter commuting rhythm there's nothing quite like it to frame my work days.
Training: not a complete success, or not a complete failure, depends on if you're a half-full or half-empty person. I'm ok with it. I did get a long run (long for me = 4 miles) this weekend. It was sort of a good run. I was had just gotten some upsetting news and thought the run might make me feel better. Not sure if it did that. It made me feel like I had accomplished something anyway and it was better than banging around the house cleaning.
The upsetting news was not anything earth shattering. Mainly it came at a bad time at the end of a bad week. MoDOT did their traffic study and decided that the speed limit of 55 mph is perfectly ok. Well, I'm not done yet. I still really want to move and if we do, this speed limit issue won't affect us as directly.
Going home when I'm unwell: Again I'm not sure if this is a partial success or partial failure. It was a bad week for me which ENDED with the upsetting news, and this week I'm discovering a few mistakes and omissions I made last week, and I know I spent too much time attempting to accomplish something when I should have given up and gone home. I think my state of mind was mainly hormonal, but it wasn't pretty. This is why I don't eat sugar, which makes that sort of thing worse, and I ate too much sugar last month.
Bike commuting: Once again I'm faced with this challenge when I'm a diehard commuter who shouldn't be struggling with it. I finally made the connection--the flashbacks & anxiety attacks are happening when I'm on my bike. Maybe if I get off my bike for a couple weeks they'll stop. (And I finally called for an appointment with a counselor, as you all have been encouraging me to do. But they have a month-long wait. Eh.) I don't like being off my bike and I don't like being in the car. Even in this weather, or especially in this weather.
@ Melavai - hang in there and be gentle with yourself. You're doing great to stay active whether or not you're on the bike. Yay for calling the counselor, hope maybe something opens up before it's expected. And in this season just doing one's best to stay away from sugar takes a LOT of energy! Again, just give yourself time and space and gentleness!!!
As for the week -- I'm psyched to get 3 for 3 this week. I've been super-tired and almost talked myself out of it for the end of the week, but luckily we lent our 2nd car to our car-free friends and partner needed the other so I just made it a priority to plug along, get my food/clothes/bike ready early each evening, and get to bed as soon as possible. This morning I was annoyed by losing sleep to my cat, who's generally a reliable one-time snooze alarm to get in a little purrfest before I head out the door. Last night she thought maybe 11pm was the time....then 1am...then 4am?!! When I dragged outta bed at 5:35 I went to find her and she yawned at me and when back to sleep. Wha??? :eek: ;)
Luckily there was about a half inch of super dry snow on the ground and light flakes still falling, one of my favorite winter riding conditions. Got all cheerful as I quietly rolled across town in the pre-dawn light...looks like I'll have similar conditions for the ride home, though definitely darker! Yay winter, and yet I'm looking forward to solstice Tuesday!
5 for 5 this week. 2 on my new road bike! :) Today she got a new stem and I put the WTB Deva saddle from my MTB on her. Much comfier!
Deb
Haven't done a ride to work since the week before Thanksgiving. :( Work got crazy and, even as I write this, we are finishing up final technology setups and testing for all the staff to be able to work first thing tomorrow (Monday, 12/20/2010).
However, I did finally get an errand ride in this moring, covered about 15-16 miles.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeheelgirl/5274910689/
A beautiful, sunny December morning. Later today, it actually rained early evening, and then fluffed up some snow (albeit, wet snow). So glad I went out in the morning.
Bike commuting: still off the bike, I have an appointment with a therapist this week. I was lucky to find one who could get me in so early, everyone else didn't have an opening until mid-January. Instead I've been walking or if I don't have time for the 40 minute walk, I get a ride with my husband when he's dropping daughter off at school. (It drives me wild that's how she gets to school. But oh well.)
The walks have been beautiful in the early winter sunsets. I've been meaning to walk since we moved here in June, but who has time for a 40 minute walk when it can be a 10 minute bike ride? So it's kind of nice to be forced to walk at last. I saw a huge herd of deer, maybe 15 or even 20, cross the road, cars on both sides stopped to let them pass. Pretty pests.
It's a good time to be walking, with this weather. 2 miles is not enough of a bike ride to warm up.
My training has changed, instead of running twice a week I've been going to spin class. I never saw the point in spin class. What is the point of riding without going anywhere? But I figured I'd give it a try since otherwise I'm off my bike until my head gets straightened out. And I love it! I even loved having Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" stuck in my head (we sat or stood on our bikes every time she said "romance") because it was SUCH an improvement over flashbacks & anxiety attacks.
I did go for a couple runs, one on the weekend and another on the same day as a spin class. Normally I wouldn't do that but it worked on that day, the run was in the morning and spin class in the evening.
I've changed my approach to swims, trying to incorporate some sprints into it.
I stopped weight training because I injured my other shoulder. I will try to talk to a trainer to find out what I'm doing that is injuring my shoulders. I think it is the rowing machine.
Good job with the walking, Melavai. I find that I see things when I am walking or hiking that I definitely don't see when I am riding, or even running, because I am just going too fast (well not when running :)). If I had a 2 mile commute, I think I might walk it most of the time.
well, I rode today, this will be my last bike commute of the year. It's cold and wet here. ugh...
Since it was our first day in our new office building, even though I am on vacation this week, I rode in to check it out. So much nicer being only 5 miles from work than my previous 15.
Rainy and on the colder side, time to get out the rain pants and booties. Wow, even with the rain it was great, because I knew I would only be out in it about 25 minutes, versus 1-1/2 hrs for the old commute - oh, yeah.
Fortunately since I am more far sighted I rode part of the ride without my glasses, as they were wet and fogging up.
No more commutes this week, next week we have only 3 days of work so I am planning to ride 3 for 3.
Happy holidays all!
Coldest commute so far this year. 12° this morning, 12° this evening. I was very thankful for all my wool!
Deb
Stayed home to write for work twice last week, so had a 3/3 commuting week. Snowstorms on sunday, and my chain froze, but once I got it thawed out and relubed, the rides were fine. I stuck to the plowed main roads and took the lane much more aggressively than usual. I've been on vactaion since last sunday, and have two weeks of vacation now. One in the black hills, SD, and one in the Sandias, NM. I really need to find some relatives in the tropics to visit.
New Mexico's gotta be warmer - or at least blue-er sky - than MI, no? ;)
I celebrated Solstice with my 1 of 1 commute for the week. The wool was key, since the first pre-bus part of the commute was much warmer/dryer than the short ride to work an hour and a half later!!
Happy longest night of the year fellow (northern) commuters!
Not usually warmer, but definitely less overcast and slushy. SD has been warmer than I was expecting though. This is my first visit here, we went to mount rushmore today.
At 32 F (0 C), this morning was definitely the warmest morning I've ridden all month. Or even SEEN all month! :eek:
Feet were toasty warm with my new LG shoe covers. I wore DH's Castelli Radiation jacket with it's reflective liner. Whoa. Way too warm. Thankfully, there are vent zips in the front of the jacket so I could shed some extra heat. The Radiation liner is going in a back pocket for the ride home. :p
Colder this morning than I expected. Warmer this evening. Only one more commuting day until the holidays. We're going to Colorado for a visit. I haven't had more than 3 days off in a row (except for leg surgeries) in a long time. I'm excited! I'll miss my bikes. With 3 almost grown kids and a big dog, we'll have to take the van, which doesn't currently have bike-carrying capabilities. Oh well.
Happy Holidays!
Deb
Sleet. Glare ice. I guess I'll catch a ride with DH today. :(
Deb
Last commute of the year for me. Since there is still packed snow and ice on the bikepath that I normally use, I decided to commute through Washington, DC this week. It is an intense, invigorating and somewhat stressful ride. Metro buses, crazy taxi drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, noise, etc. but I would rather be out there on my bike than in a car or on the metro.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Way to go PFunk. Just be careful out there and stay safe!
Happy Holidays my TE friend. We've got to get together for a ride sometime in 2011.
On the afternoon commute home, I got blown over 2 lanes of traffic and into the median. :eek: Wow...those gusts were intense.
We will definitely get together for a ride!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kmehrzad