December rides...

[azfiddle]

I too love the pictures and admire those of you who get out in the colder temperatures.

I have a few questions about cold weather clothes but I'm going to start a separate thread for it- I hope you cold weather riders will chime in.

[ny biker]

Ditto for me on not getting out to ride again this year -- the chances are dwindling. As it turned out, I probably could have ridden outside last night, since the actual temp at 10 pm was above 40 (vs the hourly forecast in the mid-30s by then). But I didn't even ride in the living room, despite all my intentions. I needed to go to a shopping mall to return something, and that particular mall is utter traffic hell on weekends in December, so I figured I'd stop there quickly last night on the way home. But once I was there I ended up going in several stores, because I still have some Christmas shopping to do, and by the time I got home it was after 9 and I was pretty sleepy.

And now the polar vortex is here, to be followed by warmth and rain, then another bout of cold. They're expecting it to warm up just as I leave to spend Christmas in NY. I'm hoping we'll get enough of a break from the rain this weekend to get in a quick spin around the neighborhood, but not very optimistic.

[Crankin]

We thought about fat bikes, but decided we wouldn't use them enough to justify the cost. And I couldn't do a 29-er..
Right now, I just want to x country ski, but it might be another week. I just saw it may be ok for riding on Xmas, so while everyone else is celebrating, we go ride.
The wind is sure whipping it up out there.

[north woods gal]

I do hope you get to XC ski. Has a lot in common with winter biking, but still very different, too. I find it almost spiritual at times with its beautiful flowing rhythm. Truly more graceful a thing than plowing a fat bike though heavy snow. Love them both, but with a big storm headed our way, my fat biking will now be limited to plowed roads or groomed trails.

[Crankin]

I love skiing. For some reason, although I really want the season to start, I am not feeling as crazy about it as usual. I think i am just burned out on exercise, and today my back was hurting in tabata class, so I feel like I just want to chill. Tomorrow's a rest day, but not sure what will happen this weekend. It will be snowing Sat. morning, when we usually go to the gym in this in between season, so maybe a snowy short hike or snow shoe. And then we will be visiting with my son all weekend, too.
My favorite nordic ski area is open (the one about an hour away), but not up to full speed. The good thing is, when we get to Franconia for New Years, it should be really nice and snowy.

[north woods gal]

I was a little reluctant to start XC this month, too. Really wasn't mentally ready to give up on my fat biking, I guess. Kept the biking going right up to where the fat bikes get bogged down and wouldn't go in the ever deepening snow. Of course, once I put on the skis and started the old rhythm, I wondered what took me so long. Anyway, enjoy it when the time is right for you.

[north woods gal]

Yup, crazy old lady me is still riding her fatties out on the snow packed roads, a bit. That probably says more about how much I dislike riding, indoors, on the trainer than anything, though. Another 5" plus of snow, last night, so the snow is way more than the fatties can handle on the trails. It's all skiing, now, on the trails. Sigh! I really miss my trail riding, even to the point where I fantasize about stealing hubby's snow blower to clear trails. Of course, if I broke it, I'd be in the doghouse, big time.