Sun. Dec. 7 rides

[GLC1968]

Just got back from our ride (Trisk - we are all in different time zones, remember?! )...

In a word? WET.

Yesterday it was sunny, but we were so busy around the homestead that we just couldn't get a ride in. I promised my H that we'd ride today, rain or shine. Yeah, we got rain. We did 20 miles and the rain let up only once for about 3-4 minutes. It was actually good though because we got a chance to really put all the wet weather gear to the test. We've ridden in rain before, but not a steady, cold rain that lasted the full 20 mile ride.

The good news, we stayed warm and dry! The bad news, I still need to go give my bike some TLC and I'm feeling lazy.

[Blueberry]

Just got back from our ride (Trisk - we are all in different time zones, remember?! )...

In a word? WET.

Yesterday it was sunny, but we were so busy around the homestead that we just couldn't get a ride in. I promised my H that we'd ride today, rain or shine. Yeah, we got rain. We did 20 miles and the rain let up only once for about 3-4 minutes. It was actually good though because we got a chance to really put all the wet weather gear to the test. We've ridden in rain before, but not a steady, cold rain that lasted the full 20 mile ride.

The good news, we stayed warm and dry! The bad news, I still need to go give my bike some TLC and I'm feeling lazy.

Yay! One step forward, right??

So...what worked gear wise? I'm busy wimping out here in NC, and I know it's a) warmer and b) drier than where you are

SouthernBelle - Would love to know what gloves worked at those temps! I have purchased (but not taken the tags off, with the intent of returning one) 2 pairs of gloves from REI. The Gavia and the new Cyclone (which has padding - yay!). Any thoughts on the 2 - or do you have another suggestion??

CA

[GLC1968]

CA -

I used my amfib tights (for the first time) and my showers pass jacket with a mid-weight wool jersey underneath. I had my Gavia gloves on (mine are men's, so I've got extra room in them and they are AWESOME!) but I skipped the liners since it was almost 50F when we left. I used only my PI toe covers with my MTB shoes and wool socks. I had a buff on my head under my helmet. DH used his hood (showers pass), but I was afraid I'd be too hot. I had mine with me incase I got too wet, but I never needed it. My hair was soaked, but no water ran down my jacket collar or anything and I wasn't cold. My heels were also a bit wet, but with the wool socks, they weren't cold. If I were going to be riding for longer, I'll need full booties, I think.

The only missing piece is a wool bra. I hate the clammy feeling of a synthetic bra when my wool jersey is still warm and comfy!

[yellow]

Miracles happen.

It's December and I actually went for a road bike ride today. Yes, that's right, we don't have enough snow for skating yet. I ran long yesterday and wanted to give my cranky hip a break. And it's dry. And I really had no excuse.

So I rode up the canyon by my house. It was 29F at the top and generally snow covered, which meant that I had some wicked windchill (for wimpy me) going downhill (well, once I got out of the snow zone) until I got into the 40F zone near the bottom. I can honestly say that is the first time I've ever ridden my ROAD bike on snow (mtn yes, road never before). It was sketchy, but kind of fun...I kept the rubber side down. It seems too warm to me for December. Took a long hot shower and decided that even though I was pretty chilled at the bottom, it was still better than 105F. By a long shot.

Supposed to get a real snowstorm tomorrow. So that might have been the last non-commute road ride for 2008. (I'll still bike commute on dry days.)

LET IT SNOW!!!!!!

[RolliePollie]

Yellow - can you please send some of that snow to the west? Please, please, pretty please?!?!

While the Sacramento Valley has been shrouded in fog for over a week now, up here in the hills it's been just gorgeous. I'm worried we're never going to have a winter, but I'm enjoying the great weather nonetheless.

41 miles for me today. Took just about exactly 3 hours...gotta love those hills! The sun was out and the temp was in the low 50s so I was quite comfortable. I am continuing to just love my new bike. I didn't know what I was missing! I just wish it would magically make me faster. I got passed like I was standing still on one long hill by some guy who didn't even say hello!

[Aggie_Ama]

DH and I went out to hoppin' Warda for some mountain biking. He will be doing a marathon race in January called the Excrutiation Exam and hadn't riden Warda since February 2005. By 1:00 it was sunny and about 60 degrees. I wore SS Jersey but opted for tights becuase I knew it would be cooler in the trees, I was very comfortable.

The trail is a lot of fun, some too technical for little ol' me. The ranch had longhorns on property, kind of fun from the norm of squirrels and unleashed dogs. You can tell the cattle are used to bikes, they just stared at us while chewing their cud. It was a lovely way to spend our afternoon.

10.4 miles of longhorn pasture, piney woods and twisty singletrack.

[DebTX]

I did a 15 mile ride, my first in 3 weeks

I've been using the "it's too cold" excuse a lot (plus I've had a cold). But yesterday I decided I needed to get on the bike and just do a few miles. It felt great and all I needed, clothing wise, was a base layer and arm warmers.

[Triskeliongirl]

Well you south texas gals that road in the afternoon were smart, it did warm up a lot. As I was coming in I saw folks going out with a lot less clothing on.

But, our club rides start at 9am, and it is nice to get the ride done early and have the rest of the day for other stuff. I am just proud of myself that I got out the door in the 30s. The day before I checked the temp and just stayed in bed although it also warmed up nicely. This time I dressed in cycling clothes before checking the temp, and then just brought assorted layers in the car to the ride start so I could adjust one last time just before leaving. In fact, when I left my house I also had my shebeest windpro tight and jacket on, but quickly peeled those off before even heading out on the bike.

But it did feel absolutely wonderful to ride outdoors, after two weeks of coach troy!