Rides: Dec. 6th-12th

[owlice]

Owlice, one thing I thought of to tell you... one of my best cold weather discoveries is the front handlebar bag. I can put an extra layer on to get me out the door, and shed it five miles into the ride.

Ritamarie, thanks! I carry a web bungie in my handlebar bag -- along with a windbreaker which doesn't breathe at all -- and can easily stash extra layers either in the handlebar bag or on my rack.

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?

kenyonchris and MDHillSlug, please forgive my ignorance: are rollers the same as a trainer? I think I am going to need to do something more than I'm doing as I get over my riding-in-the-cold-and/or-dark-and/or-bad-weather wussiness; I'm not riding enough to maintain the conditioning I've picked up this season. (Getting over the cold/dark/bad weather thing is easier when one has the right clothes/gear/outwear, which I'm gradually accumulating, but it'll take time.)

[redrhodie]

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?

It went away quickly. It felt like freezer burn.

Today I did around 13 miles with 20-30mph winds, and gusts of 40 (that's about my limit). I'm not kidding when I say at one point with the wind blowing off the ocean at my side, I was riding at an angle to stay upright. I love that! I remember thinking, I wonder if I'm going to lift off! That would be fun for a second or 2.

I admit to cutting it short. I was planning on 20 miles, but couldn't make myself turn into the wind once it was at my back. I took a shortcut home. Better than nothin'.

[arielmoon]

YAY! I did get to ride yesterday and although I was dodging raindrops and battling huge wind gusts it was a great ride. 16 miles. Got to get them when you can!

[HillSlugger]

Ritamarie, thanks! I carry a web bungie in my handlebar bag -- along with a windbreaker which doesn't breathe at all -- and can easily stash extra layers either in the handlebar bag or on my rack.

redrhodie, 20 miles before work in the cold...! Wow!!!

Did the rash stay, or did it disappear shortly after your shower?

kenyonchris and MDHillSlug, please forgive my ignorance: are rollers the same as a trainer? I think I am going to need to do something more than I'm doing as I get over my riding-in-the-cold-and/or-dark-and/or-bad-weather wussiness; I'm not riding enough to maintain the conditioning I've picked up this season. (Getting over the cold/dark/bad weather thing is easier when one has the right clothes/gear/outwear, which I'm gradually accumulating, but it'll take time.)

Rollers are different from a trainer. A trainer locks in the rear of your bike and holds you upright; you can pedal away without thinking about steering or balance. Rollers are 3 cylinders attached to a frame; your rear wheel sits between two rollers and the front wheel sits on top of the third. There's nothing holding you up or centered except your balance and your ability to bike a straight line. It's much harder, not relaxing at all, but ultimately will make you a better, smoother rider. (This is what I roll on)

[7rider]

(This is what I roll on)

Apologies in advance for the hijack...but this - from MDHillSlugs' link - struck me as funny:
Elite Parabolic Bicycle Roller - 068006
List Price: $159.99
Our Price: $367.99
You Save: ($208.00) (100%)

wow! Their site has you pay $208 OVER list! What a deal!!

Me....I'm in winter hibernation mode, I guess. Haven't ridden rollers, the bike, or anything other than a spin class last night in about 2 weeks. Blech.