January rides -- outdoors!!

I just finished my first bike ride of 2014. I had expected it to be too cold to ride outside today, especially since Santa did not bring me the Firewall tights I had asked him for. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was sunny and 49 degrees with no wind chill this afternoon, so I pumped up the tires and went for a spin. I decided to keep it simple and just do loops around my neighborhood with some hill repeats to get the legs working. I rode for about an hour.

All in all it was nice, though my feet were cold for much of the ride. Right now I'm having a bit of a post-ride asthma-chest-tightness thing, but my lungs did not hurt during the ride, and I'm getting over a cold, so I'm more concerned about solving the cold-foot problem. I expect warmer legs will help -- today I wore Shebeest capris under my Midzero tights, and they worked pretty well, but still left my lower legs a bit cold. I ordered the Firewall tights from TE a couple of days ago and they shipped out last night so I should have them soon.

Congrats on starting the New Year with a ride! I am truly jealous.

But...sigh....I won't be riding until Monday (no winter joy riding this far north this year) and it will be my coldest yet. December this year was like January of years past. Monday morning I'm looking at around -16F with a daytime high of only 0F. Arrgggh....at least there won't be snow. I can handle the cold, but snow still scares me.

May the descent to colder temperatures turn around so we can all ride with joy!

I am really not liking this winter so far!! I hope the colder-than-normal trends to not continue.

Fortunately we're not expecting much snow with the coastal storm that will hit the northeast tomorrow night, but they're calling for a blizzard on Long Island where my parents live, so I am concerned for them. And then we will all have very cold temps to end this week. Brrrrrrr.

I also had my first ride of the year - 25 miles on an old mountain bike I hadn't ridden in at least 6 years. Now that I mainly ride my road bike, the mountain bike certainly feels more sluggish. I feel like I burned more calories on the bumpy trail than on the road although Mapmyride claims otherwise! Happy new year, everyone! May 2014 be filled with lots of great rides and smiles.

They are calling for highs next week of ZERO and perhaps not THAT high!!!!!!!!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkk (pulling warm blankets over my head and not coming out until spring)

8.5 miles for us on the mountain bikes. Gorgeous weather, low sixties. I'll put more about the ride in mountain biking. :)

Veronica

http://tandemhearts.smugmug.com/Bicy..._1070091-L.jpg

Yup, tomorrow night through Sat. AM is going to be around 0 F or less. Snowstorm starting at 4 AM, going through Friday at noon. I already cancelled my morning session, a meeting, and definitely the afternoon. Tomorrw's snow is supposed to be intermittent, getting heavy tomorrow night, but I have about 130 miles of driving and there is no way I am doing that, even in a small storm.
Can't wait to start my new job, and this is one of the big reasons!
But, the x country skiing will be awesome this weekend, with temperatures rising after the morning on Saturday.

We started the year off yesterday with a team ride - temp was around 20-25. We managed just over 34 miles on the road.

It's definitely been cold here in the Northeast, and looks to continue. I rode outdoors every day in December but 5, and will probably see a similar trend in January (though I do have to go to Florida to visit my parents one weekend, and am not taking my bike). The fat bikes have helped - we've been riding in really cold conditions (Christmas Eve in Bethel was about 10 degrees) and in the snow. Despite the blizzard that has started here, we'll probably ride today/tomorrow as well.

SheFly

Ooff. I don't know that we have reached "blizzard" status here yet, but the snow has been falling steadily since we got up. DH and I decided to head out on the fat bikes before it accumulated too much. All I can say is that was decidedly un-fun. Under all of the snow, the trails were complete ice. I fell no less than 1/2 dozen times, and determined that bar mitts are great for good riding, but terrible when you are trying to break a fall. The good news is that I just have a couple of bumps and bruises. Oh - and the temperature was 16 when we started, and 12 by the time we got home! BBBRRR!

SheFly

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Looks beautiful, but under that snow is a LOT of ice. In fact, I am crashing right behind this photo.

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Slow and steady trying to stay upright.

You don't make that sound like any fun. :eek:


Veronica

Went to Palm Springs and rode from there to Joshua Tree National Park and brought the new year in with Joshua Trees, lots of stars and a good friend. Rode back to Palm Springs, got a great massage and dinner and we headed back home. 70’s during the day, 50’s at night and 145 miles total.

Got out for my first 2014 ride today. It was a short ride, and was snowing... although most of you are receiving the same weather. Cold here with lower temps and wind coming. But I definitely see a commute to work tomorrow on the Fatbike.:)

V - it wasn't. I just wanted to go home. Sadly, the only "safe" way back was the way we had come. I'm skiing tomorrow. Oh - and the temp is now 3... I am jealous of your MTB riding!

SheFly

It's nasty out there...
Skiing/snow shoeing on the agenda for the rest of the weekend.

Unlike the midwest, northeast etc, it's prime riding weather here in the desert- I've ridden every day of January (but go back to work Monday so that will be the end of that! New Year's Day: 60 miles on "The Loop" multi-use path that encircles Tucson (almost- we were on streets for about 10 miles of the total distance). Thursday, Saguaro NP for about 30 miles. Friday- took the extra long way from my house to my school to do some prep for returning to classes on Monday- 42 miles total through some beautiful Sonoran Desert. Today, rode with my women's cycling group, around the foothills and a short distance up Mt. Lemmon. I am always last... (today I was introduced as "not a bunny", but I ended up going an extra two miles without them, up the mountain to about 4500 feet elevation- it was getting a little cool and windy when I headed home for 48 miles total. So an amazing 177 miles for 2014!

Azfiddle, I am jealous, there, I've said it :) So glad that some of us get to ride on comfortable temps this time of the year!

We've been out on the tandem a couple times and it's pretty cold out there! The road surface is kinda dicey too.

I "rode" in Tuscon yesterday. More specifically, I just got Coach Troy's Tuscon Training "virtual reality" dvd for Christmas, and yesterday I tried out the shorter of the two rides on it. I think it was Gates Pass. The other ride is Mt Lemmon.

I finally got some warmer tights -- I scored a pair of AmFibs on sale this weekend. It was about 40 here yesterday so I would have given them a test by going for a spin outdoors, but the roads were wet all day and I didn't feel like having to clean my bike afterwards.

Keep your fingers crossed for this coming weekend -- the forecast is calling for temps in the low 50s.

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.

But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

NY Biker- those are two regular rides for me! Almost every time I get to the top of Gates Pass I have to get off my bike and sit down. Mt. Lemmon is much longer but easier. I was there on Saturday- about the first 5 miles anyway.

Hope you get those 50's soon.

Thorn, get in touch before your trip to Tucson - if not for a meet up then for general local info on rides etc.
Sharon

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Originally Posted by Thorn

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.



But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

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Okay Thorn, you have my unqualified admiration for biking dedication! Maybe change your handle to Wonder Woman? I crabbed over having to walk a block in that miserable weather this morning.

Yeah, I know, there is no bad weather just bad choices of clothing...but it was cold enough today for this: ps it's real, Hell Michigan is just a tad bit southwest of me.

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Thorn...what did you wear on your feet and hands in the cold commute you did?

Thorn - that's impressive!

DH is on a determined streak to NOT ride his bike indoors (he is also continuing a 2 year streak of riding his bike every day). Last night when I finished work, it was dark, and 9 degrees. We suited up, and went out on the fat bikes for what turned out to be a VERY fun spin in the woods. There was definitely some ice we had to beware of (on Monday, we had temps as high as 56 that went down below 20 later in the day, and a significant amount of rain), but there was also some excellent riding to be found. By the time we got home, it was 5. And the wind was definitely blowing, though in the woods, we were pretty sheltered.

So, what exactly does one wear riding in these cold conditions?

Head: fleece neck gaitor (from downhill skiing days), wool beanie and helmet
Top: wicking yoga tank top, Craft zip neck base layer, Pearl Izumi Elite jacket, down hooded jacket (which I managed to snag on a tree and tear :( )
Bottom: Smartwool knee socks, knee warmers, Champion fleece-lined bib shorts, Pearl Izumi Elite bib tights
Feet: Louis Garneau winter shoes
Hands: Ibex wool glove liners, REI heavy duty mittens (from downhill skiing days)

We were out for an hour and 50 minutes (1:38 moving time) and I was never cold. Towards the end of the ride, my feet started to get a bit chilly, but I managed to get home before it got to the painful point. Yes, we are crazy, but apparently at my house, the streak must continue! :D

SheFly

That wind late yesterday even got to me, SheFly. And I was only going to my car... appropriately dressed. 15 degrees with sun during the day seems like nothing to me, but wind and darkness sort of put me to the tipping point. Although, if I had been up north and nordic skiing, of course, I would have gone! I've skied in colder/worse conditions. I just can't get myself to ride, though. I went on a super short ride in December, at around 30 degrees/cloudy. I have the right clothes, but I was extremely chilled for awhile afterward. It seems like I had more trouble adjusting to the cold this year. My hands are the main issue, as I don't feel comfortable shifting in my AmFib gloves. I do it, but often end up wearing my next level up, with liners/heaters. I couldn't use lobster gloves (tried that) and bar mitts, no way. It's like I get a feeling of claustrophobia and then I get nervous about not being able to shift. I had no issues with lobster gloves and trigger shifters, though, when I mountain biked or on my old hybrid.
Well, I will live vicariously through you. My friends already think I am nuts for skiing/snow shoeing in the past week.

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It's raining for sure, but I thought "why not?"... It felt good to be out for a short errand ride (8 miles) on the North Creek Trail today. Temps are in the 40s, so not bad at all. At least the PNW isn't in the polar vortex.

As I toyed with riding or not, I kept thinking of the woman who rode to the South Pole. Now *that* was impressive. If she could do that, what's a commute to work?

It is funny, the colder I successfully ride, the more I realize that the bike really is year-round vehicle now that we have LED lights and studded tires. Sure, it is cold, but at those temps you can't ride very fast so it doesn't get colder by biking. I admit, tho, that if there is a more than an inch or two of snow I'll take the bus -- I just don't feel confident riding in the snow.

As for what I wore...
Core: 3 layers of wool (Ibex Shak-weight) + winter cycling jacket for wind protection
Head: Wool beanie + hood of one of the Shaks + wool Buff over the chin; for the nose, the LPH patented "nose buff" -- best tip I ever got; safety goggles
Legs: Boure thermal knickers and Showers Pass thermal pants
Feet: 2 pairs of SmartWool knee socks + thermal hiking boots (I switch to flat pedals in the winter)
Hands: Shak-weight glove liners and Bar Mitts (seriously, just glove liners, the road bike Bar Mitts are crazy warm)

Sometimes in the winter I think I spend more time gearing up than I do the actual riding.

Got out mid afternoon yesterday, although had to ride the roads as opposed to the trails. Like most parts of the country, the temps/rain have left the trails where once you step foot on them you end up crashing through the top layer to 6-7 inches below. But all of that will change when either a snowmobile goes through or they groom. Either way, the roads are enough of a challenge with 2-3" thick ice on the sides.

Took the FATBIKE out and had a blast! Temps were about 15 when I started with wind anywhere from 5-15MPH.

I wore:
Gortex shell
Smartwool top
Windproof vest

swix base layer on the bottom
Swix Universal pants

Toko Lobster mitts... the best that I have ever found!
Wool Buff
LG skull cap
Thin Smartwool footies
Ficsher OTX boots... like Crankin, I generally switch to flats in the winter.
+++ I did just buy a pair of Toko Boot Covers, much heavier than any of the cycling booties I've ever seen, so will try them along with my Mavic shoes here soon.

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Originally Posted by Thorn

As I toyed with riding or not, I kept thinking of the woman who rode to the South Pole. Now *that* was impressive. If she could do that, what's a commute to work?

It is funny, the colder I successfully ride, the more I realize that the bike really is year-round vehicle now that we have LED lights and studded tires. Sure, it is cold, but at those temps you can't ride very fast so it doesn't get colder by biking. I admit, tho, that if there is a more than an inch or two of snow I'll take the bus -- I just don't feel confident riding in the snow.

As for what I wore...
Core: 3 layers of wool (Ibex Shak-weight) + winter cycling jacket for wind protection
Head: Wool beanie + hood of one of the Shaks + wool Buff over the chin; for the nose, the LPH patented "nose buff" -- best tip I ever got; safety goggles
Legs: Boure thermal knickers and Showers Pass thermal pants
Feet: 2 pairs of SmartWool knee socks + thermal hiking boots (I switch to flat pedals in the winter)
Hands: Shak-weight glove liners and Bar Mitts (seriously, just glove liners, the road bike Bar Mitts are crazy warm)

Sometimes in the winter I think I spend more time gearing up than I do the actual riding.

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What is the nose buff??

I'm glad I'm not the only one who wondered what a nose buff was. I actually googled it, thinking it was a new piece of bike gear I hadn't heard of, and you know what the result was? A link to this thread on TE!! LOL. :- o

Ah, the "nose buff".

It is an invention of TE-er LPH (she of the cold north in Norway). Cut a old, ugly buff in 1/2 (one 1/2 for you and one for your spousal unit who will also need one). Fold your mini-Buff in 1/2 and then in 1/2 again. It is now about 1-2" in size -- rather like a head band. So, wrap it around the head so that it over your ears and your nose. Fold the part over the nose in half again so you can breathe. Voila. Nose buff.

The nose buff is amazingly effective. The nose stays warm; the cheeks are covered; the ears get a little more cover, but you have enough air flow so that it doesn't get nastily wet.

Over the years I've gotten many a great recommendation and ideas on TE, but the nose buff really rocks. And, apparently, found only on TE!

[I found a pick using google image ... http://blog.fitzgeraldsbicycles.com/?attachment_id=5822 but the wearer is missing that extra fold on the nose ]

Thanks Thorn! This is a great tip actually. I have an old buff I can use too.

I have to admit that this is what came to mind at first though. Hahaha.

Attachment 16875

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Originally Posted by Thorn

Ah, the "nose buff".

It is an invention of TE-er LPH (she of the cold north in Norway). Cut a old, ugly buff in 1/2 (one 1/2 for you and one for your spousal unit who will also need one). Fold your mini-Buff in 1/2 and then in 1/2 again. It is now about 1-2" in size -- rather like a head band. So, wrap it around the head so that it over your ears and your nose. Fold the part over the nose in half again so you can breathe. Voila. Nose buff.

The nose buff is amazingly effective. The nose stays warm; the cheeks are covered; the ears get a little more cover, but you have enough air flow so that it doesn't get nastily wet.

Over the years I've gotten many a great recommendation and ideas on TE, but the nose buff really rocks. And, apparently, found only on TE!

[I found a pick using google image ... http://blog.fitzgeraldsbicycles.com/?attachment_id=5822 but the wearer is missing that extra fold on the nose ]

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I was actually going to experiment with something like this -- I hate hate hate having any clammy scarf or balaclava or neck gaitor in front of my mouth when it's cold, but sometimes my nose really needs to be covered. Thanks ladies!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thorn

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.

But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

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WOW!!!! I feel like a wus because I was complaining about walking to the subway in -10.

I'm beyond awed at your grit and daring.

We went out again last night here in Maine on the fat bikes. Temps in the late afternoon were around 18F, but falling FAST. We dressed much the same as we had for our colder ride earlier in the week, and set out to see what the trails were like.

In a word, I can only say, the conditions were AWESOME! The snowmobile trails had been recently groomed, and it was so much FUN. Unfortunately, that dropping temp provided some big challenges - we had over-dressed and then hit a couple of big climbs reasonably hard (stupid Strava), so were wet. Worse was that my feet were starting to freeze, and we still had a long way to go to get back home. We rode the sweetest downhill trail imaginable to the road, and slogged it back from there. The entire time, I was making balls with my feet to try to keep circulation flowing and get my feet away from the cleat area.

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We made it home safely to find the temp was now at 9 degrees. Everything was toasty with the exception of my feet. We were both a bit disappointed - the conditions were so good that we wanted to just keep on going!

Oh - and DH has just manufactured a rack system for the fat bikes such that he (we) can ride to go and ski :D. This is what happens when your DH is "retired".

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SheFly

Finally a sunny and lovely day on North Padre Island! Got in a 28 mile ride on this 70+ degree but quite windy day. It was a blast on the way out, with wind at our back -- we were flying along at 19-20mph on the flats, which I almost never get to do any more with all the utilitarian rides we do (and usually on MTBs, but here we're on roadies). Of course, once we turned around and slogged back into the wind, our speed dropped to 11-13 mph. Just thankful to be able to get out in shorts in JANUARY! My biking tan lines are coming back! :D

We had decent weather today. After the deep freeze earlier in the week, we had temps in the high 50s yesterday but with rain all day. Today it was a bit cooler, in the low 50s, but the sun was out. Unfortunately I had to work today, from 6:30 am to about 1:30, so I missed a chance to join an 11 am club ride with friends. Their route was 41 miles and I expect they had a good turnout.

I did manage to get out for a late afternoon solo ride. I did a slightly shorter version of the Wednesday evening hill training ride that I do from spring through fall. It was about 15.5 miles long with almost constant ups and downs, and it took about 1.5 hours. I made some changes to the route last August, and had only been able to ride the new portion after dark, so it was fun to see what the houses on those roads look like in daylight.

Since we've had a fair amount of colder-than-average weather this winter, the ground here is pretty cold, and that made today feel a bit on the chilly side. Part of my learning curve as I get used to riding in colder weather is learning how to dress for 50 degrees in January vs. 50 degrees in October or April. Today worked out pretty well, and I was comfortable for the whole ride. I continue to need more coverage on my legs and feet than on my core, arms and hands.

We're expecting another blast of arctic air this week. It is January, after all.

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Originally Posted by SheFly

Oh - and DH has just manufactured a rack system for the fat bikes such that he (we) can ride to go and ski :D. This is what happens when your DH is "retired".

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SheFly

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Are those rain gutters? They look like rain gutters.

I have recently discovered the miracle that is shearling insoles. I have them in several pairs of boots and in my sneakers. They're pretty fluffy when new, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to get them tamped down enough to fit them in my bike shoes and still have room to wiggle my toes. I think that would be a game changer.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

Are those rain gutters? They look like rain gutters.

I have recently discovered the miracle that is shearling insoles. I have them in several pairs of boots and in my sneakers. They're pretty fluffy when new, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to get them tamped down enough to fit them in my bike shoes and still have room to wiggle my toes. I think that would be a game changer.

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Yup - rain gutters. He was planning on using PVC, but this solution was less expensive. When we loaded the bikes into the truck to head north this past week, it looked like rocket launchers on the back :).

The shearling insoles sound like a good idea, but I'm not sure those would fit into my shoes... Let me know how you make out with that!

After another day of rain and ice in Maine (and a thwarted attempt at riding the trails on Saturday - too icy for me to manage), we headed back south yesterday morning hoping to connect with our teammates for a road ride. For those of you that know the area, I emailed the team at 10:06 am from I-95 in Newburyport that we would TRY to intersect with them at the five corners intersection in Stowe/Acton at 11:45 - and we had to stop at the house first to unload, change, and gear up! We managed to leave the house in Bedford at 11:03, rode like maniacs, and connected with the team at 11:48 :eek: I was already pretty much totalled at that point, but that was just the ride to the ride!

Like ny biker, we had nicer temps yesterday - probably mid 40s, but it was windy. We ended up with almost 65 hilly miles (3700 feet) in just over 3.5 hours. I was DONE by the time we got home, and thankful that I was able to sit an watch the live feed of CX Nationals the remainder of the afternoon.

SheFly

Yah, no wonder you were toasted. I know how long it took me to get to that intersection on my former commute....