Managed to take the bike out for a short ride today

[LivetoRide]

It's been way below the average for temperatures here in Indiana and we've gotten a lot more snow than usual this year already but maybe a couple of weeks to a month back I got out for a quick ride and let me tell you, I felt amazing! It was so good to be riding on the road again (all of my friends around here either only ride indoors in the winter, decided this year was just too harsh of a winter to ride out on the road, or are out on the mountain bikes). A couple of us are hoping to ride on the first of the year-- the current weather predictions are highs in the 40s and a 30% chance of rain after it's supposed to be 50* and rainy on the 31st (I can't remember the last time it was 50*)!!

[Catrin]

It's been way below the average for temperatures here in Indiana and we've gotten a lot more snow than usual this year already ... A couple of us are hoping to ride on the first of the year-- the current weather predictions are highs in the 40s and a 30% chance of rain after it's supposed to be 50* and rainy on the 31st (I can't remember the last time it was 50*)!!

Yep, December has been more like Feb in Central Indiana, at least that is how it has felt to me. I am hoping to get out for a little ride at least in Eagle Creek Park Saturday - depending on the rain I would like to ride through the park and get to some of the country roads north of there. We will see.

I feel like a wimp this year with the temps, but back when the temps were transitioning down I was grounded with the tendinitis in my leg so my body didn't have a chance to adjust to the change. At least that is my story and I am sticking to it

[redrhodie]

I did my 18 mile loop on Xmas day on my new bike (I know, I need to post pics, but I've been lazy!). I was surprised there were lots of cyclists out, because it's down to just a couple of die hards already. It was low 20s and not too windy, unlike today where we're still having 40 mph gusts from the blizzard. I'm thinking of riding to the store which is less than a mile just to check out how my studded tires are on packed snow. This bike is so much fun!

Edit: It's later. I rode to the store. Man, that was the scariest bike ride ever! But, I didn't fall.

[Crankin]

Geez, Red, you are brave, even with the studded tires. Sticking to my snow shoes today.

[malkin]

We intended to ride on Xmas day and even used it as the reason to leave in-laws' house. Driving home though, it was disgustingly obvious that the air was too polluted for us to ride in.

Bleh. Getting an early start on the bad air this year.

[redrhodie]

Geez, Red, you are brave, even with the studded tires. Sticking to my snow shoes today.

If your definition of brave = crazy then that's me! I now remember I should have lowered my tire pressure. I forgot about that. I'm not going to ride in those conditions again until I've got more miles under my belt on this machine, and understand better the dynamics of riding on snow. In hindsight, it was fun. Scary fun. Too much too soon, though.

[Rebecca19804]

I got out on Xmas Day too - my first ride since my knee surgery! It went really well. A few photos here. This is an annual central London ride on what the organiser calls "the smiliest day of the year". We finish with a late lunch in a Lebanese restaurant on Edgware Road.

Last year, I cycled from home up to the ride start, did the ride, then back home again - 40 miles - on a Brompton. This year, because of the knee and (as you can imagine) doubts about my fitness, I got a taxi to the start and another taxi home again. But I did the 15 mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed it. The high temperature for the day just broke freezing. Cold for London but not bad at all for cycling. And the wind died down, just for the day.

Hope everyone's having a lovely break over the holidays.

[hebe]

This is a lovely thread to read, thank you.

Rebecca, well done, I'm glad your ride went well! London looks so snow-free, ours only went last night when the snow washed it away.

Mr Hebe has just offered to have dd tomorrow so I can go out It's still quite cold but the snow and ice are gone. Can't wait!

[LivetoRide]

Catrin- Yes, it does indeed feel like Feb. here! My excuss for not riding much (I'm currently working just on keeping my cadence up higher on the trainer and just spinning) is that I'm taking it easy because of my knee (which while is true, I could probably do a bit more...).