March outdoor rides - let's drop the Lion!

[ny biker]

You ladies are posting some really great pictures here. I should take more photos during my rides.

We had another good ride today. I led a club ride again, starting at the same place as the ride I lead last weekend, but using a totally different route. It was chilly at the start, cloudy and in the mid 50s, but like clockwork the sun came out just as we started to ride, and it was up to 68 when we finished. We rode 37 miles in all. It was an exploratory ride for me, a chance to check out some roads near a park-and-ride lot that I'd like to use as a ride start for some new routes. We also explored a couple of residential areas on the Chesapeake Bay.

Due to the chill at the start I was wearing a wool cap, windproof gloves, my Subzero tights and neoprene booties. By the first rest stop (after 9 miles) I was able to take off the cap and gloves. At the second rest stop I took off the booties, so this was my first ride without any shoe covers since last September. Though I felt I would have been comfortable with lighter tights (or capris or knee warmers), I didn't feel uncomfortably warm in the Subzero tights. I have problems with cold legs and feet (more than most people, it seems) and these tights keep me comfortable with temps in the mid-40s, so I'm impressed that I'm okay with them when it warms up. I was also happy with my Gore Ultralight jacket -- I wore it for the whole ride, and it was more than I needed near the end, but I didn't feel uncomfortable or get really sweaty while wearing it.

And now we prepare for snow Sunday night into Monday. Still, I left my floor pump in the car after today's ride, in the hopes that I'll be able to do an outdoor ride after work later this week.