March rides.....riding into the days of the Spring equinox

[ny biker]

Well I went to bed last night thinking I would get up this morning and join my friend's ride. I filled the water bottles, made sure the gear bag had all the warm clothes I might need, got out the chemical toe warmers, went to bed earlier than usual. But I woke up in the middle of the night thinking that I really did not want to ride both days this weekend, I have too many other things to do and I just do not want to ride near the beach on a cold cloudy day. So I turned the alarm clock off. I ended up sleeping until after 10, which is a pretty good sign that I made the right decision.

If it was January, this weather would seem good for cycling, but in March I just have limited motivation to suit up for the cold. (I'm actually sitting here now researching light therapy boxes, because it's pretty clear that I need something to help me get through the winter. It's going to be in the 70s in a couple of days but I still have that blah winter feeling now. I'm lucky enough to have an office with a large window that faces southwest, and I'm seeing a big difference in the way I feel when the sun is shining vs when it's not. I haven't gotten any exercise for days because I just can't deal with the current resurgence of winter, even though it's only lasting a few days. But I digress...)

The good thing is that all my preparations last night have gotten me ready for the ride I'm leading tomorrow. I so hope the sun comes out tomorrow afternoon. So far two people have said they plan to join me tomorrow, and I'm hoping for a good day.

In the meantime I'm going to force myself to go outside for a walk...

[emily_in_nc]

DH and I have been having some wonderful rides lately here in central Florida. I feel very lucky to be here, riding on a beautiful trail through the Spanish moss. I've been riding 3x a week, 31-37 miles each time, and definitely feel the cycling strength returning after very little riding last year. There are some pretty decent hills in Lake County, much to my surprise, so that is helpful before visiting family in NC later this month, where there are plenty of hills! Weather has been quite breezy most days, which sometimes makes for a tough ride, at least half of it, but the temps have been in the 60s-70s. It's supposed to heat up bigtime next week -- they're saying upper 80s by the end of the week -- eeek! Not quite ready for that, but I really have nothing to complain about.

[Crankin]

Glad you're getting some preparation for the hills in NC, Emily. That would be a shock, coming from a totally flat place.
NY, I was going to tell you to skip today's ride, but I didn't want you to lose your motivation. You did what your body needed. And by the way, it's natural daylight that regulates the SAD thing, not really sunlight vs. cloudiness. People in warm, sunny climates still get it, because of the shorter hours of daylight. They have a lesser rate of it, because they probably spend more time outside, but moving to a place like FL, CA, or AZ does mean you won't have it. I remember when I moved to Florida, when winter came and we were on Standard Time, I felt like it was summer and they chopped half the day off, when it was getting dark at 4:30 in December! It took a year to get used to that.
I went to spin yesterday, tabata today, and spent 4 hours moving and unpacking stuff. I will probably go for a short ride (15 miles) tomorrow. I am going to commute Tuesday (in the 60s) and Wednesday go on my group ride if it's a close start (I have a haircut at 3) or just do a long ride myself. It is supposed to be 70 on Wednesday.

[Catrin]

NY, good for you in doing what your body wanted you to do, and I hope you have a good day tomorrow.
Emily, sounds like you're having fun looking ahead to NC, enjoy! Upper 80's does sound good, but it does seem early for that.

Today I was quite busy, but set aside some time for a progressive KB swing workout. I had intended on going to the gym and hitting the ArcTrainer as well, but Thursday I overdid things for both knee and neck and paid for it yesterday. I don't THINK I over did things tonight, it wasn't a long session at all but I wanted to do something. Hiking would have been great but it was cold/damp and things are still quite muddy on my favorite trails. This will pass...

[lauraelmore1033]

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day so DH and I took the opportunity to do a very pleasant (but very ordinary) ride on the Samamish River trail. He's recovering from a broken collar bone, so he rode my trike. I've been complaining about how slow that trike is ever since I bought it, but he took off like a pro and I was hard pressed to keep up with him. Darnit. I think everyone in the greater king/snohomish county area was out walking on that trail, trying to take advantage of our one day allotment of sun.

[Crankin]

I did a 15.5 mile ride that I've done to death...
It was 42 and brightly sunny out. May have been a tad overdressed, but, I unzipped.
I need to be kinder with myself at this time of year, but it felt hard, the little hills especially. Considering how much I've been at the gym, and the fact that I have ridden through winter for the first time in 3 years, you would think it would be easier.
Lots of cyclists out today, too.

[rebeccaC]

Interesting commute this morning, high 40’s, torrential rain, BIG thunder/lighting even causing car alarms to go off, 25+ mph wind, 15ft surf, getting me way out of my comfort zone…..is that all you’ve got El Nino??? Stopping at Intelligensia for some oolong tea and a cherries and creamy chocolate gateau basque helped. Castelli Donnina rain jacket, Marmot rain pants, Izumi shoe covers and Ibex wool rain cap ftw

The weather is suppose to be back to the 70’s tomorrow and then storms again at the end of the week….thinking it’s going to be a crazy March!!!!!!