Nope, still too cold

[Lise]

Enticed by Nanci's amazing ride report, and lured by the beautiful sunshine, I layered up, pulled on my toe covers, running gloves under biking gloves, headband, etc, pumped up the tires of my beautiful new bike, and took off for...1.46 miles.

I meant to ride over to the lake and ride north, let the wind carry me back home, get in a good 10 miles, but...within blocks my fingers were 10 little popsicles, my nose was running uncontrollably, and it just wasn't worth it.

It's 41 degrees out. I guess that's still too cold. Frustration on the prairie.

[DrBee]

How frustrating! At least you tried It will warm up eventually.

[Nanci]

You could always move! People have babies down here, too, you know!

I really don't like riding in 40F weather. I hope to be better prepared next winter. All I really have to sort out is my feet.

Nanci

[janetsplanet]

It looks so beautiful out here in Winconsin but on the bike....bruuuuuu
Next week the low is 50 so hang in there--It has to be 10 degrees warmer in Chicago than way up here

[Lise]

Thanks guys. I must say the toe covers really help. I need to sort out the hands. And, it could be worse. It could be Wisconsin sorry, Janet. The weather thing's saying 60 by the end of the week. It's just been a tough day.

[yellow]

Lise...It was nice riding weather here in Salt Lake today but did I ride? Noooooooooo....my excuse was getting all prepped for my mtn bike trip next week, but, really... I am not used to this urban riding bit and, frankly, it makes me NOT want to ride (I had a lovely rural mountain paradise where I was before I moved here 6 months ago...*sigh*). The trails are too muddy/snowy still to ride my mtn bike, so either I have to get my but out there or just give it up.

We'll break through our barriers soon, I hope (you: weather, me: city livin').

I did get a lot of yard work done today after I did all my errands!

[Lise]

Yeah, Yellow, you know normally I can handle the city traffic just fine. Today I was off; instead of navigating intersections, I was making turns I didn't want to make, I couldn't clip into my new pedals right, I felt afraid of the cars...I almost never feel really afraid of the cars. Alert to them, annoyed by them, but not afraid.

My mind is spinning about this guy I've been dating, and it showed up on the bike. If it hadn't been cold and windy, I probably would've settled into a rhythm on the bike like I almost always do, gotten over to the lakefront path, and ridden fine. I just couldn't get it together today.

I think mtn biking is scary cuz I haven't done it. I'm scared of rutted dirt paths cuz I did an endo on one back in '79 and have the scars on my face to prove it. I think tree roots and rocks are more unpredictable than cars (maybe, maybe not, but they're a lot less powerful!) So, there you have it. Hope it gets dry and sunny and bikeable soon for you. In the meantime, I'll bet your yard looks great! I can tell you my kitchen floor is gleaming--I washed and waxed it. Ah, mental anguish. So productive. L.

[Barb, USA]

Has anyone in the Seattle area tried biking yet? There's a convention in March of 2007 I'd like to go to, but I don't want to go unless I can also cycle.

I'm a little off the beaten path here in Frankfurt, Germany. We've been biking for 3 consecutive week-ends. The wind has been the killer here, too. That's why I declined to go out last Sunday. On Saturday we were caught in a lightening-and-thunder-above-our-heads storm. Thrilling experience, but let's not do it again.

I've just kissed my husband good-bye: he's off on a fast (not my style)and long ride, with his son. It's below 50 and they are headed to the mountains. Besides at 8am, it's too early to be too cold.

[LauraPaura]

I too made the mistake of going out too early. Did my first ride of the spring on Friday, the weather was pretty ok, 0 degrees celsius and the roads were dry. Although I only rode for like 8 km, I now have a runny nose and fever to go with it I wish I had dressed better or something.

The riding part was great though, I can't wait for the weather to warm up just a little more.

[Selkie]

I've ridden all winter, with the exception of the days where there was snow/ice on my favorite trail. In my experience, you get used to the cold. The secret is layering and using toe/hand warmers (thanks Denise G. for that tip!!). My first really cold (below 35 degrees) rides were the worst, but after awhile, I found myself really enjoying winter riding. Few folks out on the trial so I could really hammer!!!
The wind is something else altogether. Riding in wind will make you stronger but unless it's a tail wind, I hate it. Not fighting it is the way to deal with it---I used to try to plow through it, but now I just gear down and ride at an easy pace. Then, when it's at my back, all bets are off!! :-)
This time of year is tough. Let's see, on Friday it was 75 and sunny when I rode after work. I could wear shorts and a sleeveless jersey. This morning, it's 35 degrees, so I'll be wearing leg warmers, my bolero, a jacket, lobster gloves, wool socks, toe warmers, shoe covers, etc.

[nuthatch]

Lise, yesterday was a bad juju day here in Chicagoland (except for the Cubs). I rode Friday in the wind and cold and when I stuck my nose out the door on Saturday, I said "no way!". It's that north wind, cutting right through every layer and seeking out any sweat you've got on you so it can chill it right down to ice!

Of course, it's going to be in the 60's and at least partly sunny all week!

[JLD]

Ottawa was flippin' Chill yesterday--with a strong west wind. Needed mitts and an earband. The wind cut thru the coat so it was difficult to self-generate the heat to get warm in the first place! Will go out again today--where we might get to 8C--and for here--that'll seem balmy!

[Barb, USA]

I admire you girls who just do it in the cold. My husband calls me a tropical flower (that's code for wimp).

I'm sorry you caught a cold, LauraPaura. You are so far north. You must have a short but intense biking season. We were in the Chicago area last September. The mid-west is seductively beautiful when it's warm. But after reading what Lise and JanetsPlanet have to stay. I think we'll just visit.

[Nanci]

I am so happy I live in a place where I can ride/run/whatever year-'round. I hope I never have to move. It was very scary moving down here, a whole country away from all my friends and family, but I am much happier, even though I miss them.

Nanci

[Bad JuJu]

Umm, I don't remember being in Chicago yesterday, Nuthatch.

NW Florida can be miserable for a few weeks in the summer when the heat and the humidity combine to create near-tropical conditions and nothing moves except an occasional mosquito who works up the energy to whine a little bit. HOWEVER, there are also days like today when it's dry and sunny, mid-50s (if a bit windy), and the sky's so blue it could break your heart. Just on my way out the door for a ride....