Hello, my name is Silver and I'm a bike-aholic....

[Triskeliongirl]

You just need the right clothes. I even surprised myself this morning. Normally I don't ride in the rain, but it wasn't raining, just drizzly, and I wanted to test drive my new rain gear. I put on my craft rain jacket, and goretex rain pants over a shebeest long sleeve dristyle jersey and tights, and rode very comfortably to work in a low 40s windy drizzle. I even unzipped the pit zips about 7 miles into the ride. I also used my new LG helmet cover, together with one of those headbands that covers your ears, and short gloves with full finger liners. The only part I need to work on are the gloves, as the liners got wet, need more weatherproof full finger gloves.

[Velobambina]

Ironically, I don't find that I get as cold when I'm riding in rainy 40 degree temps vs dry 40 degrees.

Silver, layer up and get out there. How can you acclimate if you are in your house, off the bike? Every day that the pavement is clear of snow/ice/slush/snow-debris is a gift this time of year and remember, we still have several months before the threat of snow/ice is over. If you get out there and it's unbearable, you can turn around and go home. I'm betting that you find it invigorating.

The hardest part is getting out the door. Usually when I dread riding on a cold day, I get five miles into the ride and realize that it isn't as bad as I anticipated.

Here's a treat---go out after dark and see all the houses decked out with Christmas lights!

[Blueberry]

Oh...Velobambina - that sounds really nice

I mentioned in another thread, we'll be in the DC area this weekend - we have lights on our bikes (if we bring them) - Any not to be missed, not too difficult rides?? Bonus points if we get to see lights

[silver]

Oh, good suggestions everyone!!!!

And I am working on the garments. I'm sending back the Gore jacket that I'd ordered from Terry. I've ripped out the cuffs of a Nike jacket and am adding a bit of dri fit fabric to the ends to make to give a little extra length.

I have kept up the exercise. But indoors.

Does this work.....linking my bike journal? I input all my exercise.

http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_c...=12&jyear=2007

I ran outdoors last wednesday, 6 miles in 29 degree weather. My fingers froze. I bought some new lobster claw gloves.

Mr. SR500, I just bought a used trainer, but haven't used it yet. I teach indoor cycling and am going to be doing a bit more of that. I'm trying to get permission to have people bring in their road bikes and trainers to use rather than the spin bikes.

I had the opportunity to buy rollers from the same person that sold me the trainer but decided against them. I'm afraid of them.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/healt...480?dp=windsdp

I'm looking at the weather and thinking that I may try a ride tomorrow afternoon. I may have an inlaw errand earlier tomorrow. But, Thursday and Friday look good. Mr. hasn't been bringing his bike home on the weekends now that he has it set up in the trainer, so I'd best not plan any long rides for the weekend.

Yes, there is hope. I'll start gathering the cold weather gear together in anticipation.

What do you all use as too cold, too windy, too rainy?

[SheFly]

. What do you all use as too cold, too windy, too rainy?

Hmm - last year we went riding and it was 5 degrees when we started... And that's FAHRENHEIT, not CELCIUS .

I'm afraid you are not really a bike-a-holic... I was complaining about the long season in another thread, and making a decision NOT to travel to our national championships in Kansas this week. However, faced with a weekend at home and no racing on the schedule, we STILL went out both Sat and Sun in the SNOW to get in a ride. When you SWEAR off of your bikes, and STILL go out for a ride DESPITE the weather, then you're a bike-a-holic.

Hi, I'm SheFly, and I have a biking problem...

[Velobambina]

Hmm - last year we went riding and it was 5 degrees when we started... And that's FAHRENHEIT, not CELCIUS .

..... When you SWEAR off of your bikes, and STILL go out for a ride DESPITE the weather, then you're a bike-a-holic.

Hi, I'm SheFly, and I have a biking problem...

Disclaimer---SheFly is the chick who RIDES ON ICE. She's my heroine!!!

Silver--This morning I was thinking about you when I was out riding. Your "long arm" dilemma? Why not get some Terry Thermal Boleros? That way if your jersey is warm but the arms aren't long enough, you'll get coverage from the bolero sleeve? Last year, I paired Boleros with SS jerseys and it worked well (with a long-sleeve base layer & a jacket).

[mimitabby]

Silver, i prescribe MORE shopping~!

[Flybye]

Silver, i prescribe MORE shopping~!

Can you write me out a prescription too? Will my insurance cover it ????

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Silver, i prescribe MORE shopping~!

I second this medical opinion.

Remember-
There is no bad weather- only bad clothes.

[silver]

Disclaimer---SheFly is the chick who RIDES ON ICE. She's my heroine!!!

Silver--This morning I was thinking about you when I was out riding. Your "long arm" dilemma? Why not get some Terry Thermal Boleros? That way if your jersey is warm but the arms aren't long enough, you'll get coverage from the bolero sleeve? Last year, I paired Boleros with SS jerseys and it worked well (with a long-sleeve base layer & a jacket).

And you are one of my mileage heroines!!!!

I ordered a bolero from TE once and the sleeves were way too short....so I sent it back.


I find internet shopping to be sooo frustrating. I need to TOUCH the items, feel them.....try them on, look at myself in the mirror, pose in the bicycle position, try to see how I look for the back, see if the sleeves will still be long enough, will the back slide up too short........

I'll keep window shopping though......please keep up the suggestions!

Oh, so the temp here went up to 61 degrees today and the sun actually came out BUT I didn't have time to ride!!!!!

I did squeeze in a 5 mile ride.

[Triskeliongirl]

FYI, I tried on the shebeest bolero and the sleeves were very long on me. Other options are PI arm warmers. They are unisex sized so tend to run long, but available in XS and S to fit women's skinnier arms. I have the XS and they are snug but come almost up to my arm pits. I know I am shorter than you, but I am comparing these items to the bulk that is out there, and they do run longer. Same with the small castelli leg warmers from performance. I sold the ones I ordered to a gal that is your height (6 ft tall and rides a 60 cm bike).