november 25th (saturday) rides

[mimitabby]

It was 38 degrees out this morning and the sun came out. DH was making all the little noises he always makes when he wants to go on a bike ride. So I agreed to go, since there WAS sunshine. We bundled me up good. New smartwool longsleeve teeshirt, fuzzy inside warm bike jersey, fleece vest.
on bottom, warm tights, ibex wool knickers, and a pair of kneewarmers that went up to my crotch. Two pairs of gloves, a skull cap and booties..
So I was ready. I rode on my bianchi, was afraid' i'd be too cold on the back of the tandem.
I rode 16 miles of flats into a headwind. I actually had to take off the fleece vest, i was too hot.
I never loosened up. I was very stiff and legs were sluggish (too many clothes??)
When i got off the bike my hands were really sore. What's up with that? More stiffness-related? I am not used to riding in such cold weather.
but it's the first time I"ve been out on the bike this month. And no i didn't go clipless yet. I think i have to be warmer to do that.

[Fredwina]

I was 60 miles short of having 6000 miles for the year, so I expanded the club 45 mile ride into a metric century. We went up into The San Gabriel Mountains from Azusa (and for the Jack Benny fans, we came from Cucamonga, but didn't go to Anaheim that day ) I rode a little bit on a river trail before hand, and then we climbed up to a reservoir that's at the end of a closed (to cars) access road. The group decided to tackle the 15% grade to the dam. I turned and did some more climbing later on. wound up with 65 miles! It was in the low 60's and I had on a long sleeve Jersey and shorts. Got a bit heated up on climb, but froze going back to the dam in the shade.

[mimitabby]

So you made your goal! Bravo!

I still have about 110 miles to make mine

[Crankin]

I went mtb again on Saturday. It was gorgeous out!We went on a very familiar trail, that has a few little challenges, but nothing too scary. The last time I was on this trail walking, a large tree had fallen across the trail, with no way around on a bike, because of trees and bushes (you could walk around it carefully).Well, the tree had been cut down, but it was laying parallel to the trail, across a stream that was running fairly strongly (not too wide though). I've crossed the stream many times, but now there were limited "lines" to take across because of the size of the tree log. The trail was also very muddy in spots, in addition to the usual rocks and roots, and there were a lot of people out hiking, etc. We actually saw 4 other people mountain biking. Well, I made it across the stream, clipped in, too. On the other side was a mom and her son who was maybe 4 years old? This little boy had just crossed the stream on his teeny tiny mountain bike! When we got to the end of the trail, the mom and son came by and we congratulated him. She said that he had a crash, so they were heading home. It was very inspiring. On the way back, I walked across the stream, since the line was even trickier, with a huge tree on the opposite side, looking very ominous. I didn't feel too bad about that, though. We found another loop with some good rollers and no rocks. So, it was a good ride, about 6 miles, 90% clipped in, no crashes, and no almost hitting the walkers on the trail!

[Trek420]

If so...I went to the dojo yesterday, hour and a half class. My teacher has just returned from Russia where she'd been invited to teach there. Maybe she was on a roll from correcting students there....maybe I need that much help...."elbows in, no that's too far in, turn your hips, no-not that much, almost, not quite, more like this, now that's too much, lower....that's too low, bend your knee, not that knee...." '

aaack!

I'm stiff and tired and need to do more of this.

In the womens dressing room we were kidding around that I need to train enough that the reaction when I'm there goes from the current "oh! Wow! Trek's here!" to "whatever, Trek's here"

[Fredwina]

So you made your goal! Bravo!

I still have about 110 miles to make mine

actually, I've got set on BikeJournal at 7000. That was before my episodes of FallingOffTheBikeItis. I'm thinking 6500. I'm going to visit my family and Missouri next weekend, and it is rainy season here (yes, it does rain in Southern California)

[suzieqtwa]

I'm still trying to figure how to ride in the cold. My hands ,and feet freeze ,and it was only 35 degrees. It was Ok on Saturday ,so I rode about 15 miles. I'm trying to alternate running ,and riding till it gets warmer ,and I get my bike that actually fits me. My husbands bike is Ok for now ,but its too big for me. What's the best way to keep my hands warm (what kind of glove should I get?????

[mimitabby]

Suzie
read my post above (first one)
I wore two pairs of gloves, regular bike gloves and then a larger size of fleece gloves on top.
my hands were not cold. Also get booties for your feet. You will really like what they do for keeping you warm!
i also wore 3 thermal layers on my trunk plus the raincoat.

[Kalidurga]

I was 60 miles short of having 6000 miles for the year...
... actually, I've got set on BikeJournal at 7000. That was before my episodes of FallingOffTheBikeItis. I'm thinking 6500.

I'm thinking that with goals like that, you can afford to indulge that addiction to Cheez-its...

[Fredwina]

I'm thinking that with goals like that, you can afford to indulge that addiction to Cheez-its...

that is one of the many benefits.....