November Rides

[rebeccaC]

Thanks lauraelmore and VeganBikeChick

Lph, thanks…..she and a couple of her friends were starting their climbs after we had finished that route.

[Crankin]

Just finished my early morning annual birthday ride. It was predicted to be between 33 and 36 degrees, so I wore my winter cycling jacket, a thermal jersey, and a LS base layer. Of course, I got downstairs, and it was 41. Sometimes it is warmer at my house, on the top of the hill, than in town, but I didn't notice a difference. I had to unzip about halfway through my 13 mile ride. Very pleasant, though slow, as I'm just not warmed up and it is cold, despite being warm from my clothing. Now that it's no longer Daylight Savings Time, the sky was light, though not completely when I got back.
A good start to a very long day. I am seeing clients from 9-7, then going to a friend's house for dinner. Now, I have to get my azz in gear, so I can go vote before work.

[Blueberry]

Happy Birthday, Crankin! Sounds like a perfect way to start the day!

[cosc]

Crankin, have a happy birthday. Your giving me motivation to go ride in colder temps.
I haven't rode too much lately due to a very windy fall, colder weather with little sun. Today I'm going to ride-no excuses.
Rebecca your pictures are wonderfully surreal. Someday I hope to ride in Joshua Tree Park.
Thankful for all who take time to report on their rides.

[Catrin]

Happy Birthday Crankin!!!!

[Crankin]

I used to do this ride with Hirakukibou and it was way more fun. We would stop for coffee and a treat. Now she lives too far away to meet at such an ungodly hour!

[marni]

rode 42 miles at 14.2 yesterday in a strong wind (15 mph) with gusts up to 30. Random light rain showers. Got back to the car and got the bike into it just as the skies opened. Guess our fall weather is drawing to a close since it is wet and drear today and will be for the rest of the week.

Met a woman at the gym who had just moved into Texas from Montana who was rejoicing about being able to ride in November. I didn't way anything about the summer heat and humidity. Let her have her joy while she can.

[ny biker]

I haven't ridden yet this month because I was out of town last weekend for a wedding, plus the weather was terrible anyway. (I did have some very nice rides that I didn't get around to writing about in October...)

I was planning to go out after work tonight, since this morning's weather forecast said we would not get rain until later tonight. However it appears that light rain has already moved in (I'm still at work, 20 miles west of where I would be riding, but the radar shows rain in that area and some hourly forecasts call for light rain for the next couple of hours). With so many leaves on the ground and a hilly route, I'm canceling the ride. :-(

I can't ride tomorrow night, since I have other plans, but maybe it will work out for Friday. In the meantime, I fear it may be time get the indoor trainer out of storage. I really don't want to start riding in the living room, but it looks like it might be pretty cold next week, so I guess I have to prepare for it.

[Crankin]

I did my short and hilly 11 mile ride today. I had time to do more, it was 60 degrees, but by the time I went out, the wind was strong and the sun was fading. I swear, I am getting slower by the minute.... the last time I felt like this, my gps was actually off a bit. I'll have to have DH check it when he gets back from his trip.
I'm glad I went, but mad I didn't make myself ride at least 20 miles.

[marni]

clocking in another 46 miles today. Can't saythe speed is great because of the headwinds. but it is dry, cool and relatlively sunny. That makes 130.5 miles this week. YAY ME.

[marni]

another cold ride. Started out at 38 degrees and finished 3 hours later at 43 degrees. At least the wind was much lighter, especially when compared to two days ago.

today's stats 42 miles in 3:15 for an average of 14.3 which is a step up from Wednesdays pathetic average of 9.3!

[Blueberry]

Having so much trouble dressing for cold weather! I usually commute in regular clothes (it's short and I have no where to change or store stuff) - but I was a human popsicle today. After a lovely commute in, I called DH for a ride home from the bus. Brrrrrrr. Probably would have been ok but for the waiting outside for the bus. No shelter and I have to wait or risk not being able to get the bike on the bus.

[shootingstar]

I only did 9 km. round trip (bakery) today @-19 degrees C with a wind chill and light headwind which made it cold it enough! Why is it the first bike ride among some lumps of ice and snow on pavement feels like victory? It really does.

I don't have studded bike tires right now so there were some rocky patches I ended up walking over. Oh well..nice bright cold sunshine out there today.

[azfiddle]

It's our real riding season here- I rode about 24 miles on Veteran's Day to Saguaro NP and around the loop, commuted 22 miles round trip yesterday rode 28.5 miles today by myself on part of the El Tour de Tucson route. Tomorrow we'll do about 80 miles on the ending part of the route - then time to "taper" (like I really do that.... )

[Jolt]

Today was the annual Cranksgiving* ride in Portland...it was cold! This year, since I am not a fast rider by any stretch, I decided to compete for the most weight of frozen turkeys hauled, and borrowed a trailer from the bike co-op where I volunteer. In that division, one only has to go to one store, load up with turkeys and ride back so it ended up being a really short ride (probably half a mile each way) to the nearest large grocery store. Somewhat surprisingly, I ended up winning with 135 pounds of turkey between panniers and trailer. There were a couple of people with cargo bikes so I thought one of them would end up hauling more. Next year I may decide to go back to the regular division where you have to get specific items at a bunch of different stores, since that makes for a longer ride. Either way it is a lot of fun and for a good cause!

*an event put on in many cities in the weeks before Thanksgiving, that is a sort of race/scavenger hunt to collect food for local charities. There is no entry fee, but riders buy items along the way to donate.