February rides

[azfiddle]

I am in awe of those of you who do get out in freezing temperatures. Although I've been commuting regularly to work all year, I just couldn't make myself ride when it was 29 or 30 degrees and dark outside. There were a few days that were 39 and 40 (and probably dipped to 37 in the cold air drainage areas along the Pantano Wash (dry riverbed).

That said, I have made 24 trips between my house and school (22 on work days, and 2 for planning/grading) since Jan 2. It's gotten to the point that I don't want to drive and feel like I'm cheating if I do... I even rode on Thursday when we had parent teacher conferences, and rode home in the dark under the almost full moon. It was lovely- the 3 mile section of the bike path that goes through relatively undisturbed desert between the air force base and the mountain bike park was incredibly quiet and tranquil. I saw 3 people and 5 bunnies along about 7 1/2 miles of pathway. It was even pretty quiet along the suburban neighborhood streets near my school and then there was just a mile from the path to my house.

Thinking about doing a group ride this morning.... or a solo birding ride. I've got an hour to decide.

[north woods gal]

I dig what you're saying about some riding in the dark rides. A lot of my commuting in my Chicago days involved riding in the dark, both ways. Some of those rides were less than fun, of course, but I remember some that were almost other worldly beautiful, too, the kind you hated to end. The commuting by bike really helped restore my spirits after a stressful day at work.

Pretty quiet on the birding, up here, but should start to see some migrants, soon.

[Crankin]

Commuting to or from work in hte dark is one of my favorites. I wish I didn't have such a short commute now.

[azfiddle]

I got in about 40 miles (had the Garmin turned off when I was going slow through parks to look at birds). I saw 57 species today. Highlights were 13 species of ducks, many in spectacular breeding plumage- especially a gorgeous male Wood Duck. 5 species of raptors: Cooper's Hawk, Red-tail, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and Peregrine Falcon. First swallows of spring- definitely a Rough-winged Swallow and maybe a Tree Swallow. It wasn't a fast ride, but I routed it to take advantage of a fairly strong tail wind for the ride home.

[Helene2013]

My riding consists of ride on the trainer...no choice. I just got back into training mid-Jan after someone on Dec 29th fell on me after slipping on ice (under snow) and I did not see it coming nor able to avoid it and injured my leg just under the knee to the calf. It felt like the knee (not the fractured tibial plateau one from other knee last year) but it truly was the lower leg. Ortho gave me the ok to resume my gym, and listen to how the leg feels. I had hamstring/ calf pain for over 2 weeks from that fall. Now it is all back to normal. Did my ramp test yesterday and it was lower than the last I did before the fractured titial plateau but much more than I had anticipated. Now I can have my PT/trainer plan a real effective program to get me on track to be able to nail that 112km bike ride I signed again for in June.

I've started to run very short periods of time on treadmill...like 20 seconds and walk 40 seconds. The knees needs to adapt again. What a waste of precious time but no choice to get back slowly than re-injure it again.

Our winter is really bad this year. Snow, freezing rain, melting, refreezing...all in a week. I love winter. I'm a winter person. But this winter is the worst I've seen so far. Not able to snowshoe, etc...

[shootingstar]

Best of luck in your recovery. I haven't cycled at all in past 2.5 wks. due to heavy snowfall and deep cold (-25 degrees C) where I am. We'll see in 1 wk., given the melting right now. Just walking outdoors.

[north woods gal]

Sorry to hear about your injury and how it happened, Helene, but you're right, a fall is a fall. Your winter sounds something like ours. As much ice as snow and crazy swings in temperature, with lots of thawing and re-freezing. Our groomed trails are in good shape, thanks to a lot of work on the part of volunteers to keep them in shape, but all my snow work is the back country/wilderness type, so I have to take what comes. Thank heavens for the fat bikes, though. Can always ride them as long as the snowplows are out. Been a very busy fat bike season for me.