First Ride of the Year!

[emily_in_nc]

Did my first ride of the year today in light rain. I normally don't ride in the rain b/c I hate cleaning my bike, but we've been trying to have a car-free week, and I didn't want to blow it (tomorrow is the 7th day as I work from home on Mondays, then I have to drive on Tues.) It helped that it was quite warm at the start (63), though down to 54 by the end as a cold front is coming in.

We rode our Bike Fridays to the food co-op for groceries. Just 12.5 miles but mostly urban so it was slightly over an hour ride. So glad I did it! It's going to be much colder next weekend, so this may be my last ride for awhile...

[solobiker]

DH and I rode our mtn bikes today about 18 miles. We had studded tires on which I was happy about due to the recent snow storm we had and the roads being packed with snow/slush/ice. It was in the upper 20s during the ride. It was a very nice day for a ride despite the road conditions...almost fell a few times in the thicker slushy/icey ares.

[Catrin]

Did my first ride of the year today in light rain. I normally don't ride in the rain b/c I hate cleaning my bike, but we've been trying to have a car-free week, and I didn't want to blow it (tomorrow is the 7th day as I work from home on Mondays, then I have to drive on Tues.) It helped that it was quite warm at the start (63), though down to 54 by the end as a cold front is coming in.

We rode our Bike Fridays to the food co-op for groceries. Just 12.5 miles but mostly urban so it was slightly over an hour ride. So glad I did it! It's going to be much colder next weekend, so this may be my last ride for awhile...]

It is wonderful to read about all of these wonderful rides that TE members are able to take these first few days in the year. Our warm temps left after only one day, and I am sick (literally, sinus stuff, ugh)

I love your photo and of course recognize your trunk bag as I've the same one, and I can see the Arkel logo on the panniers. Is the seat-bag Arkel as well?

[beccaB]

We got our first ride of the year in yesterday. Those are few and far between. It was good to get it done and my requirements for dry roads were met. it was cold and windy however.

[Owlie]

I might go out tomorrow. We only got one day of warm weather, and it's supposed to get back into the 30s, with snow in the forecast. Sigh. At this rate, my first ride of the year might be in March!

[emily_in_nc]

I love your photo and of course recognize your trunk bag as I've the same one, and I can see the Arkel logo on the panniers. Is the seat-bag Arkel as well?

No, it's just a cheapie from Performance that happened to be red as well. We have two full sets of front/rear red Arkel panniers we bought for our 2004 Bike Tour in NY State, plus two black handlebar bags. They are such great bags. The Tailrider stays on my bike always since I am primarily a utility cyclist now and always need to take along a bunch of stuff - or bring things home in it!

Hope you feel better soon!

[hebe]

Hubs and I and two of our friends took a quick spin around the lake this morning. Great way to start the year! It was cold...28! Off to get shoe covers and glove liners cause I couldn't feel my feet and toes when we got home. Last year, I rode a grand total of 3654 miles. Not bad for my first full year of cycling.

That's more than 10 miles every day! Do you ride to work?

I rode the Oregon Randonneurs New Year's Day 200K - which was actually 206k (128 miles). It was coooooooold. 28 degrees for the 7:30am start. High of 35. I have Raynaud's Syndrome quite severely and really suffer in the cold, so apparel is absolutely critical for me. Fortunately, I know where to get some great stuff. :-)

Wow, wow and WOW! Thank you for sharing that long list too.


I've posted about my first ride of the year on my new bike over on the newbies thread here . Six muddy miles, just above freezing, and I can't wait to do it again.