the guy factor

[DDH]

I think here in central TX we are going on our 3rd straight week of 100 and up in the afternoons. It's crazy. I try to ride early in the morning when it is only 85 or so if I am going to ride. Although if DH wants to ride we have to go in the evenings, last night I watched the temp so we could go ride. The last time I checked at 7:30 pm it was still 98 degrees. I told DH forget it. We had ridden the day before at like 5 while it was still over 100. I wasn't doing that 2 days in a row. LOL

[mimitabby]

I think here in central TX we are going on our 3rd straight week of 100 and up in the afternoons. It's crazy. I try to ride early in the morning when it is only 85 or so if I am going to ride. Although if DH wants to ride we have to go in the evenings, last night I watched the temp so we could go ride. The last time I checked at 7:30 pm it was still 98 degrees. I told DH forget it. We had ridden the day before at like 5 while it was still over 100. I wasn't doing that 2 days in a row. LOL

that kind of heat has GOT to take it's toll on you!

[Crankin]

I was talking about regular temps, not factoring in the wind chill. It usually isn't that windy here in the fall, but early spring is. What I meant was that it can be 45 degrees out and not really windy, but when you are cycling at 15-25 mph (or at any speed), it feels a lot colder than when you are snow shoeing, hiking, running, x country skiing at a much slower speed.

[KSH]

I think here in central TX we are going on our 3rd straight week of 100 and up in the afternoons. It's crazy. I try to ride early in the morning when it is only 85 or so if I am going to ride. Although if DH wants to ride we have to go in the evenings, last night I watched the temp so we could go ride. The last time I checked at 7:30 pm it was still 98 degrees. I told DH forget it. We had ridden the day before at like 5 while it was still over 100. I wasn't doing that 2 days in a row. LOL

I hear ya lady!

I have been riding in the 100F degree heat though, to get ready for Hotter Than Hell this coming weekend! It has been great training!

What is really miserable is RUNNING in this stuff! I wait until 8:00 PM, but it's still 98 (like you said). So, I just have to go do it, and suffer for about 40 minutes.

[Kathi]

My situation is very different. I've worked on turning my husband into a biker.

Last year we were biking in Vermont and after climbing a rather long hill, I was waiting at the top for him and saw another woman crest the hill from the other side and stop as well. Then, after a while a man caught up to join her...and then my husband caught up to join me. We never spoke, but it occurred to me that it really ran against stereotype.

He got a new bike this year, a nice, lightweight road bike. He's done pretty well so far, though he did end up in the hospital on one ride at mile 57 of a metric century. It was hot and the rest stops were pathetic. Kept him overnight, rehydrated him by i.v. and then get this--gave him a stress test the next day!

Last week we climbed to Independence Pass at 12,026 feet out of Aspen Colorado. He has to show everyone the pictures, he's so amazed with himself. I just smile.

Independence Pass! Wow! How was it to ride? we drove up it a couple of weeks ago and was wondering what it's like on a bike.

I've done Vail Pass a few times but that's an easy one.

[HappyAnika]

I just wanted to add that my DH is also out there flying up hills saying how great he feels on the road, then the last two weekends he's ended up on the couch napping and doing nothing the rest of the day because he is too tired. Then I get stuck with laundry and shopping and cooking, if it weren't for me and my pokey riding he'd be starving and naked!


Bikerbarb: Independence Pass!!! My car struggles up that, my legs are screaming at me just thinking about riding up it. Beautiful area though, I'm sure you were able to appreciate the scenery even more being outside.

[7rider]

Holy Smokes!!!!!!
When did you ladies start riding with my DH??????
While I'm not a "crack o' dawn" rider like a friend of mine, I prefer to do my weekend rides starting at aruond 7 or 8 a.m. to avoid the heat. DH would leave at 10 a.m. if he had his way, spending the earlier part of the a.m. drinking coffee, looking out the window and doing who-knows-what else.
Then, after we finish our ride, he's out like a light on the couch and I'm doing laundry, going grocery shopping, cleaning the house, doing yardwork, whatever.
Geez!

[mimitabby]

Well, my husband is the one who thinks we ought to leave the house when it's still dark and cold. I am the one more likely to want to stay in bed until sunrise.
When he starts lounging, reading the paper, having a 3rd coffee, i know we're not going anywhere unless I am proactive.
and yes, if it wasn't for me, the plants would die (that he planted) the dishes, the laundry, etc, etc.. all those all day rides he likes to do; he's finding that including me means that LESS gets done at home. hmmm.

[chickwhorips]

what would these men do without us in their lives?

mine would be eating off dirty dishes, wearing dirty clothes and starving. at least he eats my cooking, so i can't complain there. though i think i'm getting better.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

if it weren't for me and my pokey riding he'd be starving and naked!

Sometimes I think every single one of us would be better human beings if we spent a little time starving and naked.

[Bad JuJu]

In 2004, after Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf Coast, my DH was home alone for about three weeks, while I cared for my elderly father elsewhere. When I finally came home, it looked like bears had been living there--well, one big, sloppy bear anyway. In his defense, he'd had no water for a week and no power for two weeks, but still....

[bikerbarb]

Independence pass wasn't as hard as you might think. Back home here in Pittsburgh, I was biking up a long hill--the same 6 miles/hr and thinking, yes, just this road ten times! There are steeper grades here. The important thing was to pace myself and not use up my reserves. It was surprising the thin air didn't bother me. I remember as a young 21 year old--more than half my life ago--I biked up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National park on my cross the country ride with full gear and that seemed to get to me more. I was giddy and light headed. This time I wasn't. Lighter bike, less gear? who knows. But it is really doable though I recommend early in the day. The traffic started to build as we were descending.

I would be so annoyed by the crashed out behavior you all are describing. I would not put up with it. I'd hire someone to come in and clean and order in food. Are you kidding?

[HappyAnika]

Independence pass wasn't as hard as you might think.

I would be so annoyed by the crashed out behavior you all are describing. I would not put up with it. I'd hire someone to come in and clean and order in food. Are you kidding?

LOL! I keep threatening my husband with hiring someone to clean the house. I swear it is not far off, once our bank account has recovered from grad school.

I still think that is so awesome about you riding Ind. Pass. I always worry about my father in law from AZ when he comes up here to hike in the summer. The altitude always bothers him more than he thinks it will. So far the highest I've ridden is 7,000 ft. Next summer I think we will venture more into the high country.