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

[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?

[Flybye]

While I can empathize with those of you being kept inside due to bad weather I have to admit that I'm loving this time of year.

After suffering in the Texas heat all summer I'm finally able to ride in comfort. Yesterday was a chilly 48 degrees with some very light rain. I had on a light skullcap, tights, arm warmers and a vest and was still sweating a bit during my ride. It is so nice not to feel wilted after 2 miles. I'm able to ride faster and further in the cool weather without suffering. So while I feel for those of you in the cold and wet, this is the perfect time of year to ride for me.

Here's to a short, mild winter so you can get back on those bikes.

I read your post twice to make sure that I read it right. In Idaho, if it were 48 degrees we would still be riding in shorts and sleeveless jerseys!! Might tie a jacket around the waist in case of rain, but very unlikely. We must be thick skinned!!!!

there is hope in that we only have about 12 more days of decreasing light and then.....celebrate!!!..

Yeeeesssss!!!!!!!!

[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...

[TracyinMesa]

Here in the Phoenix valley we are blessed with perfect winters. However with the days getting shorter it is dark before and after work for rides. The last 2 weekends it has rained and been very cold(unusual for Phx). I did not get even get out to ride this weekend. It is the first weekend since June that I have not ridden. Going from 4-5 rides a week to living for 1 or 2 weekend rides is depressing! I do strength training and aerobics 2x a week, it is not the same as riding outside. My kids tell me I am crabbier too! They shake their heads and call me "addicted." I am addicted and not appologizing for it!

[makbike]

Hi, my name is Marcie and it has been 14 days since I last rode my bike (new or old) outside. Like Silver I sit in my living room and stare at my new bike and dream of warm weather and flying down my favorite roads on my new addition. I've been on my old bike/trainer everyday but I sure miss riding outside. Just maybe I will be granted a warm, sunny day during our holiday break and I can get out an ride. If not I shall continue to spend at least 40 minutes/day on my bike and trainer for I want to be strong and swift in the spring.

[li10up]

I read your post twice to make sure that I read it right. In Idaho, if it were 48 degrees we would still be riding in shorts and sleeveless jerseys!! Might tie a jacket around the waist in case of rain, but very unlikely. We must be thick skinned!!!!
Yeeeesssss!!!!!!!!

Ok, I admit it...I'm a wuss. But it was rainy and windy...doesn't that count???

[Meaux]

[QUOTE=silver;269422] My last ride was a lovely 107.5 ride on November 27.
/QUOTE]

I don't even want to talk about when my last ride was or how long it was. The weather here hasn't been cold, but it's been SUPER muggy. I hate riding when it's muggy outside, I feel like I'm breathing through a wet rag. I pray for dryer, cooler days!! (I feel your pain about they calloused behind...I almost dread being on that bike again now.) I hear the siren's song of my bike...and she doesn't want to be on the trainer.

[Triskeliongirl]

I hear you on the clothes. I recently orderd a bunch of stuff from the terry sale, TE, and sierra, and just recently boxed up and sent back what didn't fit. There is a lot of inconsistency, even within a brand, and since I lost weight I also found often the smalls fit me in width but not length, and I am shorter than you so I can imagine the problem you are having.

I have now tried a lot of stuff on since I had to replace my wardrobe after losing 35 lbs. I can highly recommend the shebeest dristyle tights and long sleeve jerseys I got recently from sierra (at great prices too, just subscribe to their email list and they will send you 20% off coupons). Both run long in the smalls, in fact the sleeves on the small jerseys are so long I am sitting here with the cuff rolled up about 2 inches! Another good way to go is to simply get some arm and leg warmers. I like the PI ones, very warm. Got the arm warmers in X-small and they still come almost up to my armpits, but the leg warmers only come in unisex small which may be too wide on your leg, but you'll have to try them on. Castelli makes one that are tall and skinny (I mail ordered and returned these from performance, too tall in a unisex small for me but very skinny fitting). I also just love my craft rain jacket from TE. This fit me better in the M (european size 38 if that helps), but I am a little wider than you so probably the S would be good for you. Its good not just for rain, its a great layering piece that is warmer than just a nylon shell. Another great piece is a balaclava, I hae one I got years ago from terry. If you are a cold wimp, wearing pieces you can easily take off as you warm up is a good strategy.

Good luck, just GO SHOPPING and you can do this!

[Flybye]

Ok, I admit it...I'm a wuss. But it was rainy and windy...doesn't that count???

Yep, then it surely counts!

I did have to laugh when we went to LA in November once and everyone was in jeans and sweaters and we broke out the shorts and t-shirts! It was 60 for crying out loud! Maybe we Idahoans aren't right in the head or something!!

It is 12 degrees right now and we have about 3 inches of snow. Tonight, instead of going on a lovely ride on my bike, enjoying the warm air and sights and smells, I took all of the knobs off of my oven, cleaned them, and cleaned that disgusting part under the top of the stove that collects all of the spewage from overboiled noodles. Something is extremely wrong with this picture!

[Jo-n-NY]

Silver this is a very busy time of year for me between my day job and retail store. My last time in the saddle was last Sunday, but that was trainer miles. I would have to get on it at 5am before leaving for work, but that would wake my daughter whose bedroom is below that area. However, I am taking off 3 days next week from the day job to work in my retail store (my daughter runs it) and I will then be able to ride the trainer in the morning.

My trainer miles do count on Bike Journal. Because of the lack of daylight and winter weather here at this time of year those miles count for sure. I know I give myself a good work out even if it is just 10 miles.

I have invested in cold weather clothing and even got my husband a couple of pieces for Christmas as a hint, hint, lets ride outdoors honey despite the colder weather lol

~ JoAnn

[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 ????