A Cold Ride

[Veronica]

Okay, so it wasn't Shefly cold!

We rode the last two climbs of the Devil Mountain Double today. It was only about half of what we had planned to do, but we couldn't bear the thought of starting before we hit 40 degrees. When you don't get started until 11 AM, it's probably not a good idea to do an 85 mile ride without lights.

It was a good recon ride. We had both ridden Palomares before; it climbs about 1,000 feet in five miles. The descent off Palomares though was SUPER cold. It's nearly all shaded and I hit my top speed of just over 38 mph on it. I was so glad I had stolen Thom's REALLY warm gloves.

The last climb is Norris Canyon, which neither of us had ridden before today. It's a 500 foot climb in two miles. Once you crest it, it really is downhill or flat to the finish. Neither climb is especially daunting, until you consider that they come at the end of a 206 mile ride and with more than 15,000 feet of climbing already in your legs. Still if we can make to the top of Sierra Rd (the Sierra Rd. if you're Phil or Paul ) we'll be good to go. I hope. But I have no illusions about this ride - it is HARD!

Just as aside - we tackled another nemesis of mine last week - Patterson Pass. It's the first time I've ridden up it and felt good! No wind and only twenty miles will do that. I crested the top the first time and was saying in my best scary voice in my head, "Patterson Pass, you are mine! I shall no longer fear you!" I swear when I did my repeat up the last two miles of it, the hill cringed in fear of me.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

Sounds fun! I have never ridden those two climbs in the daylight - I have only done them onDMD. I would actually like to know what they look like. My impression of Palomares is that it is a big tunnel/cavern because it seems you can't see the night sky at all. The are peacocks. They are otherworldly in the darkness.

[Veronica]

I rode Palomares a lot when I was doing my 200ks. It's a really pretty road that follows a creek for a bit. There are many interesting houses and some cool gates to homes and funky mailboxes. There's also a monastery out there, a nice winery too.

We'll be doing again, but including Sierra and Calaveras.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

I almost like that I don't know what that part of the route looks like. I do like that I was able to see more of the DMD course (in daylight) last year than in 2007. But is it fun to have this one section that will always be dark and mysterious in my mind.

I seem to be ontrack for DMD. Did the SFR workers ride of the pt Reyes 200k Saturday. Have the SRCC 200kin 2 weeks. Doing a ride with a friend next weekend - she came in first at DMD last year (for women). She is amazing. I will never come in first. But I can sure appreciate her.

[SheFly]

Okay, so it wasn't Shefly cold!
Veronica

LOL!

DH went out on Sunday - average temp for his ride was 18 ! I was in FL visiting my parents - it was warmer there

SheFly

[Veronica]

I seriously don't know how you do it. Granted I wasn't wearing my balaclava or my really warm tights and I don't have winter riding shoes... It takes some real fortitude to get out there when it's cold.

My left foot never got warm the entire ride.

My hands were toasty all day though. We stopped at REI to buy Thom new gloves. He knows what a cold weather wuss I am though, so he was okay with giving me the really warm gloves.

Veronica

[Catrin]

It is encouraging to read the accounts of cold weather riding. I've asthma, and my lungs HATE cold air - so my temperature limit is 35 if it isn't windy...AND I am fully decked out on my PI Amfibs, et.all.

[SheFly]

I seriously don't know how you do it.

Most of the time - peer pressure in all seriousness, it's about wearing the RIGHT clothes. I have learned, the hard way, to under dress - both for riding in the woods and on the road. Breathable layers are key - a warm jacket that doesn't breathe is the kiss of death. Once you've worked up a sweat, you are bound to get wet, and then clammy and cold.

Typical gear for me is a pair of bib tights - PI Amphibs below 25, or lighter Gore tights below 50, a PI Barrier wind base layer (this has become my all time favorite base layer!), a mid layer - typically a thin SmartWool sweater, and on top, a breatheable jacket (I have a new PI barrier jacket that I love). The mid layer may not happen if temps are between 30 and 50.

Granted I wasn't wearing my balaclava or my really warm tights and I don't have winter riding shoes... It takes some real fortitude to get out there when it's cold.

My left foot never got warm the entire ride.

My hands were toasty all day though. We stopped at REI to buy Thom new gloves. He knows what a cold weather wuss I am though, so he was okay with giving me the really warm gloves.

Veronica

I have a pair of PI winter shoes that are the best ever. Those plus a Smartwool sock, and my feet have been staying toasty (well, they got cold when it was 15, but it WAS 15). I can't wear a balaclava - makes me claustrophobic. I do wear a skull cap (I have a light and a heavy version) under my helmet.

Do you know what gloves you got? Mike just got me a pair of the PI Barrier gloves that are AWESOME. Warm AND windproof. They make these in a lobster version as well for those who get really cold hands (not me).

It's been LOTS of trial and error . And I would think that a 40 degree ride in CA is a bit more like a 20 degree ride here .

SheFly

[Veronica]

Other than my left foot - I was warm when we got moving, just not on that descent.

Wool jersey, wool arm and knee warmers, wool socks, a buff and a windshell. I had a jacket that I should have put on for the descent.

These are the gloves I stole from Thom. They are womens which makes me wonder if they were suppose to be mine originally.

This is what Thom replaced them with.

Veronica

[SheFly]

The replacement gloves are what I have and love (though I have the women's version). The ones you stole also look warm .

Cold is relative. And descending at 38 mph on a 40 degree day is C-O-L-D for anyone!

SheFly

[7rider]

Most of the time - peer pressure in all seriousness, it's about wearing the RIGHT clothes. I have learned, the hard way, to under dress - both for riding in the woods and on the road. Breathable layers are key - a warm jacket that doesn't breathe is the kiss of death. Once you've worked up a sweat, you are bound to get wet, and then clammy and cold.

SheFly

"No bad weather, only bad clothing" goes the saying.

[Dogmama]

Shefly, I just road in a pair of Smartwool socks today. Wow! Wonder if they make a wicking base layer?

Veronica - you rock. 'Nuff said!

[SheFly]

Shefly, I just road in a pair of Smartwool socks today. Wow! Wonder if they make a wicking base layer?

Yes they do. They are pricey, but definitely worth the $$.

SheFly

[Catrin]

Yes they do. They are pricey, but definitely worth the $$.

SheFly

I have one that I paid a small fortune for two years ago (at least it seemed so at the time). I've never regretted the purchase and while it has been used a lot, it still looks new It is also my underlayer when it is just too cold and I can't get warm in my apt. or office. Heck, sometimes I wear my Mid-Zero tights beneath my slacks for the office