Riding in the New Year: January!

[north woods gal]

On a wildlife note, finally saw Pine Siskins at the feeder, this week. Been a little lacking in our usually variety of birds, this winter, so nice to see.

Also, we get otters that use our lake for feeding in the winter and, sure enough, they showed up, too. Love watching them dive in their holes in the ice and play and slide around on the ice. Amazing animals.

[azfiddle]

Well, I'm still kind of cold weather wimp. The last storm dropped the early morning temperatures from low 40's down to 29-30. I haven't been able to persuade myself to face the freeze and ride to work. So just one commute so far this week and one post work ride of just 6 miles. Maybe I can convince myself to go out Friday when the low is supposed to be 32...or maybe I will surprise myself tomorrow (but I'm not too enthusiastic).

[Catrin]

Well, I'm still kind of cold weather wimp. The last storm dropped the early morning temperatures from low 40's down to 29-30. I haven't been able to persuade myself to face the freeze and ride to work. So just one commute so far this week and one post work ride of just 6 miles. Maybe I can convince myself to go out Friday when the low is supposed to be 32...or maybe I will surprise myself tomorrow (but I'm not too enthusiastic).

Nothing wrong with not liking to ride in the cold weather - that's what I always told myself Our bodies all seem to have different tolerance levels for comfortable outdoors exercise conditions. My cold-air induced asthma probably contributes to that, but I'm also noted that I appear to have a higher tolerance to exercising outside in very hot/humid conditions over some of my REALLY cold-air temp riding friends. The trick is to find that balance that works for us.

[north woods gal]

So right, Catrin. Very much what we get acclimated to do, too. I get outdoors every day in the winter to enjoy our winter sports - it's one of the big reasons we retired, up here. After awhile, cold is just, well, cold. No big deal. If I came from a warm climate with no time to acclimate, be another story. Same way on the other end. For instance, I found myself way out of my element in the Florida heat and humidity when I bicycled in Florida, this last September. I think I could adapt to that kind of heat, though, given enough time. Just way too much of a shock to the system for me, coming from a place where 80s is as hot as it ever gets in the summer.

Of course, bicycling in extremes of weather is also very much a matter of attitude and psychology, not to mention perspective and background. I'm sure some folks think I'm nuts for biking in our winters, but I'm in awe of folks who can bicycle in extreme heat.

[north woods gal]

Another wildlife update. Just saw two big coyotes running across the yard in the snow. Need to keep an eye on the dogs. Coyotes will kill them if they corner a dog in the woods.

[emily_in_nc]

Finally got out for rides (34+ and 36+ miles) these past two days after rain, wind, and then RV maintenance day. Nice weather -- highs in 70s though a little chilly starting out both days. Another front coming through tonight, then five days of cooler weather for us. Not sure how much we'll get out. I don't mind riding in 60s, but I draw the line below that. And I much prefer to ride in the morning, so a day with a high of 62 here is not going to hit that til maybe 4 pm, when traffic is at its worst. We'll see. Might be doing a lot of walking and projects instead.

[azfiddle]

This is a non-ride report. I coudn't get up and out on the cold days. The weekend doesn't look too great either- I am helping a friend finishing grouting tile this morning and when it warms it's going to be breezy (maybe 15-20 with gusts over that) and then I'm leaving for Phoenix at 2:15 for a music session. Maybe I'll get out for an hour in spite of the wind. Tomorrow is even windier, with gusts to 40. Gusts to 30 blow me around the road, so that doesn't look too promising. But the weather for commuting next week looks pretty good.

[Crankin]

Wind=no riding for me. I think shorter people are more prone to feeling the effects of wind.
Sometimes you just have to go with the way you feel.