I confess - I am a fair weather cyclist

[Brina]

I was supposed to go on my first group ride today. A beginner/intermediate, women's only ride. Yesterday was a glorious 80 degrees and sunny. This morning it is 60, windy and threatening rain. I am going to spin class. I am bummed, as I have been really looking forward to this ride ever since I learned about it two weeks ago. Last week i couldn't go since it was my daughter's preschool end of year picnic. I need to learn to stop being a weather wimp.

[KSH]

I too use to be a weather whimp.

Under 70- not riding.

Wind blowing above 10 mph- not riding

Rain- not riding


The way I got over it, was signing up for a Tri 101 program that started in February. I refused to miss my workouts, because I paid for it. So, this year... I have ridden on the coldest day of the year... I have fought 25-30 mph headwinds.

I still REFUSE to ride in the RAIN though. I just think that's dangerous.


Even though won't need to, I might join the Tri 101 program again next February. All that training early in the season helped me get out the door, and prepared for the MS150 in May.

[caligurl]

i'm still a fair weather rider.. UNLESS i've already paid for it! (case in point.... the heartbreak hundred 2 weeks ago... not only paid for... REQUIRED to get the king of the mountains jersey... it ws in the 30's... YES... i said the THIRTY's!!!!!!!!! i NEVER ride when it's that cold! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

wind i'll ride in... i have to... it's almost always windy her in the afternoons (and above 10 mph unfortunately!)

i'll go as low as the 40's... for SHORT rides in the winter... but i don't like it! so my time out on the bike really suffers!

rain... won't leave in it unless i've paid for it! have gotten caught in it...

sorry your ride was ruined! hopefully they'll have another one, soon... that you can attend!

[SandyGirl]

Me too! But my purpose for riding my bike more this summer/fall has to do with workout/fitness routine boredom. I want to get some mid-life weight off, faster, and also this adds to my indoor routine. My plans aren't to do marathon races or century rides. (famous last words???) I just want to be outdoors for my aerobic excercise and add some spice to my workouts. I have always enjoyed recreational riding so the weather has to be decent for me to ride.

[maggiedatongue]

I'm fairweather too. Ride for recreational and commuting reasons. Won't do rain but I do wind cause if I didn't, I'd never get to ride!

[Grog]

I'd rather ride in fair weather, but will ride in the rain and high wind and cold weather, because otherwise I wouldn't be riding much! I just dress appropriately and I'm fine.

When for four days at the foot of the Alps I had awful weather, raining most days. Three out of four days I went out and didn't regret it. It was beautiful and the clouds hanging in the mountains made it fantasy-like. Usually it wouldn't rain all day, but with booties and a good jacket and warm gloves (and a change of gloves in my jersey pockets) I ended up being fine...

I must say though that I'm more likely to ride in the rain in the Winter than the late-Spring like now...

[Tater]

I'll ride in pretty much anything. Commuted to work/class last fall and winter when the temps dropped below freezing, even rode in the snow. Wind I don't particularly care for, but if I waited for a light wind day around here, I'd never get a ride in! I won't go out if it is raining, but like last night's ride, I have been caught in it and don't mind too much. (Did have to spend most of the evening cleaning and lubing the bike, though.)

Brina, there is still plenty of summer left to get your rides in! Hope you make it to a group ride soon.

[li10up]

i'm still a fair weather rider.. UNLESS i've already paid for it! (case in point.... the heartbreak hundred 2 weeks ago... not only paid for... REQUIRED to get the king of the mountains jersey... it ws in the 30's... YES... i said the THIRTY's!!!!!!!!! i NEVER ride when it's that cold! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR)

I don't want to ride in the 30's but send us some of that cooler weather. It's already in the mid 90s here!

[makbike]

I'm proud to be a fair weather cyclist. I won't ride when it is wet, I hate to be wet. I won't ride when it's cold, I hate to be cold more than I hate to be wet and I love to ride when it is hot and humid. I would prefer to ride on a windless day but I realize that is pushing it. If I'm going to be wet and/or cold I figure I might as well stay at home for I won't be having fun and that is what is all about or at least that is what it is all about for me. I figure there is always tomorrow.

[mimitabby]

I'm proud to be a fair weather cyclist. I won't ride when it is wet, I hate to be wet. I won't ride when it's cold, I hate to be cold more than I hate to be wet and I love to ride when it is hot and humid. I would prefer to ride on a windless day but I realize that is pushing it. If I'm going to be wet and/or cold I figure I might as well stay at home for I won't be having fun and that is what is all about or at least that is what it is all about for me. I figure there is always tomorrow.

but Makbike when you ride don't you GET wet from sweating there where you live?

I don't like to ride when it's wet out, but sometimes (living in Seattle)
i haven't much choice.

[caligurl]

I don't want to ride in the 30's but send us some of that cooler weather. It's already in the mid 90s here!

the 30 degree weather was two weeks ago... about 3 hours from me.... we drove to the organized ride... here... where i live... it's been in the 100's in the afternoon's by the time i get home from work and can ride!

[Brina]

thanks ladies, I feel like less of a weinie now. Part of the problem is I don't have appropriate clothing. I also had an excellent spin class as an alternative this morning. Apparently, I need to do some more shopping.

[pyxichick]

Brina,

Sorry to hear that you missed your first group ride because of the weather. I went on my first group ride on Tuesday and it was wonderful! All women from a local team/club and they took us on some really hilly roads that challenged me in a way I would've never challenged myself if I was alone.

It's worth making it to the group ride next time. And the right clothing makes any weather tolerable.

[salsabike]

I don't have Reynaud's but have always had trouble keeping hands and feet warm. I went to REI this winter and said, "Show me your warmest stuff for feet and hands", and left with great Sugoi Resistor Bike Booties and very warm ski gloves. I do ride year-round here no matter what the weather is doing (unless there's lots of snow or ice). Having the gear that keeps you warm and dry is the key. That includes a good, ventilated rain jacket, helmet cover, rain pants. Sometimes I wear two pairs of gloves, one thin, one very warm. I can ride in temperatures in the low 30s, and in even heavy rain, with no problem, as long as I wear the booties, smartwool socks, and the ski gloves.

[Selkie]

Unless it's icy/snowy or pouring rain, I ride. I'm with Nanci--riding in the rain can be peaceful, so long as you're extra mindful about your reduced stopping ability and the potential to hit slippery spots. Yesterday, I got caught in the rain. Had the trail pretty much to myself, which was wonderful. The worst ride ever was last winter---11 degrees---my gatorade froze.