Having second thoughts about riding today

[redrhodie]

I have the same forecast and the same dilemma. Temp is easy; wind is annoying. Yesterday I bailed out but I need my endorphins. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Get on out there! It will be fun.

[lph]

Way to go!

I've been off bike for a week now because of a bad cold, and I can confidently say: waiting for a bus, tram or train in cold weather - delayed because of the cold weather, and full because of the bad driving conditions - is WAY colder and way more uncomfortable than riding a bike.

[Melalvai]

This is the time when I start to flail on my clothes, I either over- or under-dress. In a week or two (about now) I get it sorted out! This year I'm also discovering, through trial and painful error, how to dress for running. The really tricky bit is to dress for bicycling, put on workout clothes at the gym, put on other clothes to run, and then finally into my office clothes. That's a lot of clothes!

[nscrbug]

No riding for me at all this week...highs in the 20's, with more snow expected on Thursday. But...I am looking ahead to Saturday, and thinking just maybe I might be able to get a ride in. As of right now, it's supposed to be a high of 28 with partial sun, and maybe snow moving in later that day. If I get out early...granted it will be COLD, probably in the teens when I start...but if I can squeak out even a 25 miler, I'd be thrilled...and would only be 57 miles off my goal.

[Crankin]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, Red. I think I will be able to get a short ride in in the afternoon Wednesday, around here. Then I will have no excuse not to write my paper, as well as burn some calories before my anniversary dinner.
And I think that might be it for awhile, for outside rides. Friday's forecast is for temps in the 20's and an "Alberta Clipper" coming in during the afternoon.

[redrhodie]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, Red. I think I will be able to get a short ride in in the afternoon Wednesday, around here. Then I will have no excuse not to write my paper, as well as burn some calories before my anniversary dinner.
And I think that might be it for awhile, for outside rides. Friday's forecast is for temps in the 20's and an "Alberta Clipper" coming in during the afternoon.

That sounds like a better use of your time. Driving for 3 hours to ride the East Bay bike path when you're swamped, well, you'd kick yourself later.

Today, the top to my water bottle froze over. It didn't seem like it was that cold.

[beccaB]

I am hating this weather! Nothing but gray and not over 25 since a week ago, and more of the same for the next week, and high winds.. I am missing my bike and becoming fat and grouchy.

[Owlie]

Becca, I hear you. We've got similar weather--it's been gray, snowy, windy and hovering around thirty for the last...when was the last time I saw the sun, again? I went for a walk in the snow, but it's not the same.

[Organic Goddess]

Way to go Red! Some days its just easier to make excuses.
I do it when it's 115 degrees. Even on a beautiful day like today. High of 72.
Today's excuse is that I'll go after work because my hair looks too good to have to re-do it.
Works for me!

[chicagogal]

I don't ride on the road in sub freezing temps because I am afraid of black ice. I can deal with the cold and have my wardrobe figured out, so if it is really cold, I ride on the trails with the cross bike.

However, if it is less than 20-25F, I ride indoors. Unfortunately, this is most of the winter. . . However, I try to look on the bright side. Indoor training, done right, can be a fantastic way to build fitness for the spring. Riding outdoors this time of year is fun (because riding is always fun), but I can't really get any actual training in. So, now is a building phase, indoors, on the trainer, so that I can peak for early season races that happen just when the snow starts to melt!

. . . . but if we get a rare warm day, you better believe that I'll toss that training plan in the trash, get on my bike, and ride outside - that's what keeps me loving the sport, and feeling like a kid on a bike :-)

[Catrin]

These arctic temps certainly make it much easier for me to stay off the bike, though am looking forward very much to the first day when it is at least in the 40s so I can go ride my bike

Thankfully my leg seems to be improving enough so I can really start to ramp up my efforts on the spinning bike, though will still have to be careful.

[nscrbug]

I don't ride on the road in sub freezing temps because I am afraid of black ice. I can deal with the cold and have my wardrobe figured out, so if it is really cold, I ride on the trails with the cross bike.

However, if it is less than 20-25F, I ride indoors. Unfortunately, this is most of the winter. . . However, I try to look on the bright side. Indoor training, done right, can be a fantastic way to build fitness for the spring. Riding outdoors this time of year is fun (because riding is always fun), but I can't really get any actual training in. So, now is a building phase, indoors, on the trainer, so that I can peak for early season races that happen just when the snow starts to melt!

. . . . but if we get a rare warm day, you better believe that I'll toss that training plan in the trash, get on my bike, and ride outside - that's what keeps me loving the sport, and feeling like a kid on a bike :-)

Supposed to get up to 35 for us here, on Saturday...woohoo!!! If the streets look clear and dry, I'm gettin' out there for sure....before the next round of snow piles up later on Saturday.

[kimikaw]

Supposed to get up to 35 for us here, on Saturday...woohoo!!! If the streets look clear and dry, I'm gettin' out there for sure....before the next round of snow piles up later on Saturday.

Hoping for same here in Milwaukee on Saturday. Fear of black ice on the roads (and fear of riding in pitch dark home) has me done with commuting for the year - but Saturday looks like a window for at least a ride. Prior to all the new snow - not to mention single digit temps (ugh) predicted for the next week.

[Crankin]

Bike is now on the trainer... I did not go out for a ride today. It's about 31 and winds up to 20 mph. Am about to do my first indoor ride of the season, but Saturday looks to be OK for outdoor riding (as long as the snow showers from Friday night are gone).