Having second thoughts about riding today

[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).

[marni]

I will confess it. I have become a cold wuss- after years of toughing it out in the Netherlands where winter weather is typically 34 degrees, windy and exceeding cold and damp, and another bunch of years fighting snow, ice and cold in Massachussets, I have become so acclimatized to Texas, that today's temps of low 50's with a 20mph wind kept me off my bike- I went and did two hours of heavy cardio intervals at the gym and then came home and cleaned house for three hours instead. I am feeling whipped and virtuous and not at all regretful about not having ridden. Low how the mighty have fallen.

[redrhodie]

I went and did two hours of heavy cardio intervals at the gym and then came home and cleaned house for three hours instead. I am feeling whipped and virtuous and not at all regretful about not having ridden. Low how the mighty have fallen.

You should really be ashamed of yourself.

[Catrin]

Have decided against a trainer - would rather use the money towards my new Gunnar instead. It is COLD here and I've not the slightest temptation to ride - though hoping there will be a little window to do that Saturday before the winter mix arrives - it is supposed to be 38 degrees. I don't know if I have the right clothes for that but will try it if I can....

I AM able to start doing more without repercussions from my leg, so that is good. I can start ramping things up in spinning class and used the elliptical machine last night for 10 minutes and my leg feels fine today! Yayyyy. Very different from my activity level of one year ago - but I think it can only go up from here if I can avoid re-injury.

[JennK13]

We've been having some record highs here in Denver; supposed to be almost 60 today! It's weather like this that makes me want to take a couple "wellness hours" off to go ride.
My store manager at the shop is surprised I haven't had to cancel any Saturday rides yet, though we're supposed to get some snow Friday night into Saturday.....we'll see.

[redrhodie]

I discovered my limit today. It was 20º when I headed out, with calm winds. I was okay for 20 miles, but I noticed some things that made me think that's my absolute low for that distance. One thing, my water bottle froze. There was still unfrozen water inside, but I couldn't get to it. I couldn't even unscrew the top, it was so frozen shut. Trying unsuccessfully to drink from it, my lip stuck to the ice like the kid's did to the flagpole in "A Christmas Story". That was pleasant.

The second thing was my left foot went numb. Right foot was fine. I don't know why the difference, but it was like pedaling a block of ice. I could probably work out another sock combo/shoe cover that would get me through better, but the third issue makes me think I had better not.

The third issue--I felt my reaction time slowing. Avoiding debris was a little off, and this weird "devil-may-care" attitude was starting to come up, one that tells you things like that car had better stop for me, because I'm cold, and I'm not stopping for it. That's a pretty big sign that I hit my limit. I'm not a reckless rider, but I could see where I could end up doing something stupid because of the cold.

But I rode! Yay. It was still fun.