December riding (outdoors), anyone?

[marni]

I won't ride in less than 50. I just don't tolerate the cold at all.

And this is why http://yestotexas.com/10-reasons-tex...-cold-weather/

Just a little Texas humor

After living in Northern Europe for almost 20 years and being able to cope wearing only a thick wool sweater, hat and gloves, having to put on extra layers here in Texas when it gets cold gets aggravating. Yes it goes to show how thin my blood has become , how much body fat I have lost , and how many years I have added but it is still aggravating.

Fortunately I have a lot of wool under layers and a gore tech outer layer which helps, but it is still bloody cold- I refuse to let it stop me, I will do cold and wind or cold and rain but not all three, and it always a grind and miserable, but it makes the after ride beer that much sweeter and as the song goes
" that which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Molecules in motion may last longer."

[emily_in_nc]

I could ride in temps < 50; after all, I do have wool socks, nice tights, fleece outerwear, and full-fingered gloves, but truth be told, I just find it too hard to get motivated to head out when it's really cold. And so often those lower temps bring even colder winds -- not much I can do to keep my face warm. I think winter is nature's way of reminding us that life isn't all about cycling. I like hiking and walking -- and reading! -- more in the winter.

I did finally make it out today, but the ride was much shorter than I'd planned. It was so incredibly foggy I didn't dare go out until the fog lifted at around 3 pm. By then the sun was trying to peak through, and the temp had risen to 60! So I donned my bike clothes (tights and windbreaker over shorts and long-sleeve jersey) and headed out. Felt great at first, but when I turned around to head in the opposite direction of our loop here, I realized that the fog was rolling back in -- and it was getting chilly! I went as far as I felt safe, but when it got to the point that I couldn't see cars because my glasses were so fogged, I didn't want to take any chances on them not being able to see me, so I ended up with only 37 minutes of riding. Pffffft!

It's always something, I guess. Not used to dealing with the type of pea-soup fog we're getting lately at the NC coast.

[OakLeaf]

[Owlie]

That looks...chilly.

In theory, I could ride outside. However, it's finals week, so I'm stuck inside bashing my head against the wall. I'm going to try to get a ride in this weekend, though.

[rebeccaC]

I stop doing photo ride reports on another site this time of year in empathy with those who can't ride in 60-70+ winter weather

[marni]

todays' ride started out at 30 degrees with winds at NNE at 12 mph and ended at two hours later at 40 degrees with winds 15 NNE with gusts to 20-25. 32 miles about did me in. This Texas resident is ready for some warmer weather. On the other hand it was finally sunny.

[SheFly]

Here's a link to last night's ride. Temps weren't too terrible - started at 30 and was down to about 28 when we got home. Tonight's CX practice is going to be a different story - temps are only in the teens! Sounds like we will be racing in frigid temps and possibly a snowstorm this weekend...

SheFly

[pll]

Here's a link to last night's ride. Temps weren't too terrible - started at 30 and was down to about 28 when we got home. Tonight's CX practice is going to be a different story - temps are only in the teens! Sounds like we will be racing in frigid temps and possibly a snowstorm this weekend...

SheFly

Brrr. Raced CX last Saturday and the wind chills were in the teens. It's painful to breathe, and I felt clumsy the entire race. And this weekend, temperatures may be single digits (high of 16 for the day, wind at 14mph; snow flurries).

[SheFly]

Brrr. Raced CX last Saturday and the wind chills were in the teens. It's painful to breathe, and I felt clumsy the entire race. And this weekend, temperatures may be single digits (high of 16 for the day, wind at 14mph; snow flurries).

I feel your cold! We have already had some frigid racing here too. Our Regional Championship race was 18 degrees with a windchill of 6! I couldn't feel my hands or feet (good thing it was a SSCX race!). The following weekend I did a race with a starting temp of 10. The following day, temps were warmer, but the course was covered in ice...

But we LOVE it, right?

SheFly

[Sky King]

With the cold, inversion (yucky) and my Dad passing last week a unanimous decision was reached last night. We are driving to Death Valley on Monday and hope that Christmas finds
us in a beautiful desert spot under the stars. Temp in the 60's so not toasty but better than 15!

[Pax]

Sounds wonderful Sky King, safe travels.

[Catrin]

Have fun Sky King, what a great idea! It is supposed to actually be in the 50's here tomorrow (57 today). But, of course, temps like that in Indiana this time of the year also normally means rain. A lot of it, they say at least.