May I vent???

[annie]

The weather here in the midwest is driving me crazy! It's still cold, no sunshine, horrendously windy, and now the prediction is for rain the next 5 days out of six! The last two rides, I fought winds of 20 mph, gusts even higher, that try to blow you off the road or else onto the road into traffic. Much as I love to ride, it's been difficult to get myself out there. And difficult to enjoy riding once I'm there. Okay, that's my vent. Thanks for listening, my family is tired of hearing me complain........

I keep trying to think of future rides, when it will be warmer, how I want to keep riding strong, but it's not helping much. Any ideas for motivation to get me out there even in crummy weather? All my riding companions have been backing out, waiting for better weather so they are no help.

whine, whine, whine... I am really done now.

[ragbrai40]

Well annie, since I live in Iowa too, I second that rant! Not sure where you're at in the state (I'm in Burlington - SE corner) but we had crappy on/off again weather all weekend and wala, yesterday and today it's sunny! Windy, but sunny. Supposed to be 75 tomorrow and Thursday, but dropping down to 50 by the weekend with possible rain.

I'm frustrated cause I have a duathalon Sunday and really, really don't want to race in the rain!

The only thing I have going for me is that when it's that windy 20 - 25 mph, I just go for a run. Not the same as the bike (my first love) but at least I'm doin something!

Chin up, it'll get better soon.........I hope!

[Adventure Girl]

I'd like to rant too, but my rant is on the other end of the weather spectrum. I went for a quick ride yesterday afternoon and it was 100 (yes, one hundred degrees ). Wow. That was 10 degrees over the previous record for this day. Our normally mild temperatures are supposed to return later this week, but whewwwww... It was HOT out there!! At least there wasn't a strong head wind!

[kimba]

Yeah- I hear ya- I live in southern Ontario- we've put up with a totally frigid cold winter- almost no spring- we 've had, I think, 3 or 4 nice days- I was working-couldn't ride- RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN RAIN last week- and high winds...
and then today- freakin' SNOW.
It is frigid, cold, windy- and it's freakin' snowing. AGAIN.
Y'know- it's staring to turn into that old stereotype about July in Canada- howling blizzards.
Normally it should be warm and sunny. Not hot- but warm and sunny would be nice.
I was going out on my bike- I am wearing my new tights- which I've never had before- they are thankfully the winter weight ones- and surprisingly warm... I've got on a sleeveless technical shirt and a cycling shirt- and a hoodie sweatshirt AND my cycling jacket with the extra long tail....
but I feel as big as the michelin man! And- I know my knees are not gonna like this cold. So I have been waffling the last 2 hours. Been to the LBS all right- got a new fender and stuff...but have I rested the buttocks on my bike yet? Uh huh!!!!

Maybe- give me time.

Tomorrow I am commuting to work for sure!No matter what the weather.

Kimba

[annie]

Thanks, all, for sharing your rants. I feel better after reading all the replies. I certainly am not alone in bad weather!!!!! I'm not riding this evening but will get out there tomorrow, regardless of weather, I promise.

ragbrai40, I'm in Dubuque, NE corner of Iowa. So we're both on the Mississippi, but at different ends. We could ride along the river and meet in the middle.....
I've always enjoyed ending RAGBRAI in Burlington. Pretty town. Have even gotten to ride down Snake Alley a couple times. Never up, tho'. Have you?
Supposed to be warm here tomorrow but winds up to 30 mph. Yikes! Then rain, rain, rain. I guess I'll just have to get out the old bike, put on rain gear, and go anyway. I get too grumpy if I miss more than a couple days of riding.

[betagirl]

Oh I'm right there with you! It's been heinously windy here in Chicago for what seems like forever. I rode yesterday into 25mph headwinds with gusts to 40. The ride out sucked, but boy I got home real fast on the trip back!

For my club ride tonight it was about 52, but I was brave and left the tights at home. I surprisingly didn't freeze. But I can't wait for it to get over 60 again. I have to think that all this wind is making me stronger for when it's 100 degrees and the air is like soup with no breeze. Then I'll be looking for some wind.

Soon.........soon it will be here.........we have to believe.

[spokes]

me too, kimba! and everyone else too apparently-- we're all getting poopy weather, it looks like.
i was determined to start commuting last week, so this morning i woke up after a day's rest (it's a long commute, so i work up to 3-4 days a week) and saw it was below freezing outside. brrrr!
i did it anyway, and i think all the manly steel guys were impressed when i pedaled into work. it was quite intimidating but well worth it.

[Veronica]

Good for you Spokes!

V.

[Barb]

This sun is shining and it is about 60 out right now. I'm still at work. By the time I pick up my son and get on my bike it will be cold and windy!! It snowed here yesterday Spring in Michigan is no picnic.

[kimba]

Ahh Spokes! Way to go!!You are the best!

It is dark and dreary and rainy and cold here in
Oktoberfest land...

and- it defeated me.
I am NOT gonna ride into work.

I work up exhausted- my sleep has been lousy lately... I am full of allergies, my eyes were swollen shut...I feel like a snot monster...
I feel crummy- I am SO tempted to call in sick because my whole body hurts...but I need the cash-o-la.

So I spent all day in bed, trying to get my sleep back. And now- I'm going to shower and go off to work. It was a short shift today too- it would've been excellent to ride...Other days I am the carpool driver, so I can't ride. Oh well...

I feel so-
depressed, and I suck...

Kimba
Tomorrow is supposed to be nice and warm and mostly sunny- so hopefully I will get out then.
I will redeem myself...I keep telling myself well- it's only April....

[annie]

Originally posted by kimba
I feel so-
depressed, and I suck... [/B]

Kimba,

I felt the same way yesterday and I don't even have allergies.......

Today it was warm out, winds up to 40 mph, but warm and sunny. I rode regardless of the wind. Got blown around a lot, knew I was nuts to be out there but I didn't care. I NEEDED that ride! I feel renewed. So all it takes is one ride and you, too, will feel better (I hope!) I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to have good weather tomorrow and a great ride!

[Kpicha]

Oooo, ladies I feel your pain! I went through that a few weeks ago here when it seemed like we had broken through winter's grasp and then it turned around and got frigid again.

Well, at least now the flowers and trees are blooming so I know its not going to last but the constant rain really stinks b/c it takes forever for the trails to dry out. Now we just have allergies to deal with

Next thing you know, we'll be complaining about how hot it is! At any rate, I'd prefer to ride in the cold than heat. Heat really saps my energy.

[annie]

Originally posted by Kpicha
Next thing you know, we'll be complaining about how hot it is! At any rate, I'd prefer to ride in the cold than heat. Heat really saps my energy.

Not me! I will take the heat over the cold any time. 90's over 60's for me. Not that I can choose..... We almost hit 80 yesterday and I loved it! I actually had some sweat dripping. A little cooler today and then starting tomorrow, back down in the 40's and 50's. Back into tights and jackets. I'm going to try and talk myself into an accepting mood and just get out there no matter what. You know, it honestly helps to read this board and know I'm not alone out there with crummy weather. We've all got to deal with less-than-perfect conditions. We can do it, ladies!

[kimba]

Okay guys-
congratulate me!!!

I finally- waffling though I may be- got OUT ON MY BIKE TODAY!

yay!

It was warm- but quite windy. I was dressed in my gear but I just couldn't get goin'...A friend of mine- who is a gearhead, and also really into (shall we say) more extreme forms of mountain biking took pity on me...
Another friend is JUST getting back into cycling- we helped him put a bike together over the winter- and he's really jazzed about it- buying hydration packs and clothes and the whole 9 yards.
Well- today was the day he decided to get out and ride.
Had his girlfriend drop him off at my house- got Rob to tune up his bike and put on the lights etc etc..and he was going to ride home. So Rob took us on a detour- and y'know what I found out?
We have a LOVELY singletrack trail- with a pond and trees and just lovely trails- literally around the corner from my house.It's not on any community/regular trail maps that I've seen...So Ted and I went singletrack today- and it was fun- great cameraderie between the 3 of us- all at different levels, we challenged each other- there was a spark of that competitive spirit. It was GREAT!And Ted is not too big for me, either.
So- I didn't waste the day- I got out on my bike and rode, and had an excellent time. I'm going back there to explore soon too!

It's supposed to RAIN tomorrow and the weekend of course- but I've also decided I'm gonna have to toughen up and just get out there.

It was cool- switching over from the grass to pavement coming back- I'm just tearing down the hill- and the tires were just BUZZIN'. I swear- I was looking for Darth Vader and his light sabre!!!

Kimba

[kelrunran]

That is so awesome! Congratulations for getting out there and riding!

Your ride sounds great!