Winter Riding Thread (December-February) Outside and Inside

[Crankin]

Did my first outdoor ride of 2016 today. It's the first time in 3 years I've ridden in either January or February. Rode 3.6 miles to the start, where our group has been sort of highjacked by the really fast riders. Since most of the moderate or slower riders don't ride in the winter, I was thinking I would do the hike they had today, or just ride the ride at my own pace. But, early this morning, another email went out, saying there would be a moderately paced group for those who wanted it, since it was 40 out and the roads are clear. My friend Jack, who is also very active in this club and AMC said he would lead the slower group. So, only he and I said we wanted to go more slowly, but we were right behind the sweep for part of the ride, and eventually passed him, as there was one guy much slower than us. So, we were in the group, after all. At one point we came to a light, on a little hill, where you have to turn right and then a quick left. I hate this spot, so I got to the front, where it's flat and took off when the light turned green. Somehow, I got behind the leaders.... I stayed for awhile (2 miles?), but it did me in. I fell back and waited for Jack. But after this, a few others were back with us.
We rode on familiar roads, in Concord, Acton, Boxborough, and Stow, coming back through west Concord. It was windy today, so it didn't feel 40, but I was mostly dressed correctly. I used my heated gloves, but my winter road shoes just feel a tad cool, even with woolie bullies. I contemplated using chemical heaters, but I lived. Had a nice quinoa salad at the end, at a restaurant I frequent a lot, and then rode the painful 3.6 miles home. Glad I went, and it looks like I will be able to ride outside on Sunday. My total was 40 miles.

[emily_in_nc]

Good job, Crankin! That's a long ride anytime, but especially in January in 40 degrees.

We had another fine ride on Tuesday afternoon over to and on the bike path from Winter Garden (FL) west to Clermont (where it's hilly) and back. 22 miles and change, 65-69 degrees. Here's a beautiful tree I stopped to take a photo of along the way, and an interesting sculpture (I commented on Facebook that I thought it looked like a bike and a corkscrew got together and had a child!)

Attachment 17951 Attachment 17950

Since then we've had a lot of rain so not sure when we'll get out again.

[azfiddle]

Crankin I am impressed. I hate riding in the cold!

I did about 10 miles after work on the Surly LHT. I stopped to try to help a mom on the bike path with a one speed cruiser get her back chain on. We ended up getting more help from a couple of guys but they fixed it. I don't have a replacement light yet and tried unsuccessfully to get home by sundown- but it wasn't quite dark. A couple more days of beautiful weather are coming - just in time to try my new bike this weekend! Then next week the temps are dropping down to a high of 50 or so for a few days so I'll be less enthusiastic.

[Catrin]

Good for you Crankin! I never could/wanted to ride much under 38 or so - and that on a day with sunshine and no wind

Azfiddle, glad you're having fun with the LHT! I remember mine well.

[lauraelmore1033]

Yesterday I did the "trial" ride for the Cascade club's training series, just to see if I will be ready for the series come april, and if I can actually ride in traffic again without freaking out. I've done the training series for the past 6-7 years and that first ride had gotten to be no biggie. I've lost so much ground that I was barely able to hang onto the back of the group(the slowest goup, in theory) and finish the ride yesterday. So disgusted. The traffic was also terrible because of extensive construction in the area, and drivers were very impatient. Riding near the arboretum in a lane marked with "sharrows" a woman screamed, "Get on the sidewalk!" at our group. In another spot, on Lake Washinton Boulevard, which is a parkway, I believe, a guy in a truck passed the group, laying on the horn. It didn't feel safe, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do the ride without the group.

[emily_in_nc]

Riding near the arboretum in a lane marked with "sharrows" a woman screamed, "Get on the sidewalk!" at our group. In another spot, on Lake Washinton Boulevard, which is a parkway, I believe, a guy in a truck passed the group, laying on the horn. It didn't feel safe, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do the ride without the group.

How awful! I don't get how anyone thinks riding on the sidewalk is safe. In many places it isn't even legal. I am sorry you had that experience. People can be so mean!

[Crankin]

Keep going, Lauraelmore, it will get easier.
I went to spin class Friday and today I did a short, 18 mile ride with DH. We worked at the condo all morning, doing the hardest part of putting up the Swanstone walls in the bathrooms. A 2X4 kind of fell and grazed my forearm (I was holding it all together, while DH put up the wood for bracing, so the Swanstone adheres to the wall). I am not injured, but a little sore. DH is very sore from lifting these huge pieces and doing all of the other work. But, it's 55 degrees out. Was 52 when we started and cloudy and windy. The sun came out, and I was overdressed, so I ended up taking my headcover off, which cooled me immediately! I felt really good riding, but DH was toast, so we came home.
It feels like the end of March or April out there.