November rides: bringing in the chill

[north woods gal]

Yeah, but it has that goofy curved handlebar.

[north woods gal]

Actually, I like them, too. Just that this old body resists getting stretched when I go back and forth between MTBs and road bikes. Thanks to my accident, my neck also complains, now, when I'm not in a fairly upright position. No more riding in the drops for me. Lots of great memories on all the drop bar bikes I've owned over the years, though. My favorite was a Trek Ultegra equipped cyclocross bike with one of the very last aluminum frames actually made in Wisconsin. That was an amazing bike.

Snow, again, tonight. Really had hoped to get some nice dry November weather got riding, but not looking good. Every day I can ride my Nature Boy or standard tire MTBs is now precious. Fat bike, only, weather is closing in, fast.

[Crankin]

First ride in November turned out to be one of the hardest ones I've done this year.
Up until last night, there was only a long ride for the group, and while 37 miles I can do, I can't keep up with the group that does the longer rides. Then, later in the evening, someone volunteered to lead a shorter version. Of course, it included a dreaded climb. The whole ride was in my old neighborhood, where I used to live when I first moved back to MA, about 15 miles north of here. I did not ride when I lived there and man, I doubt I would have continued, as it is super hilly. The leader of this ride is someone who is good, but he was setting a fast pace. I wasn't back with sweep, but I was never in the front, either. However, it's a beautiful day, 61 degrees and breezy with sun. Yes, the sun did come out. I always feel crappy in the beginning of a ride and by the time that wore off, we were near the climb. However, I forgot about the climbs after the climb . There is a former pig farm on a road that runs parallel to my old street and it's a 12% grade to this spot. It's a CSA now, so I guess it's all upscale. The first day my kids rode the school bus (ages 5 and 8) they asked me if we had moved to Appalachia . So, it is rural and beautiful. But the climbing after the climbing almost killed me. Made it back to my car at Great Brook Farm and I was so tired and hungry, I did not go to the lunch, as it was going to be quicker to drive home and eat than wait at the place they were at.
Glad I did it, but a reminder that I need to get my azz in gear for next year. I am talking with my bootcamp instructor about a couple of months of personal training.
26 miles with 1350 ft of climbing.

[north woods gal]

Some serious climbing with gradients like that. We're also mostly hills, but a lot gentler in nature. Would definitely have to work myself up to that stuff you rode. Good job on your part.

Hey, send some of that sunshine and warm weather our way, especially the sunshine. Another dreary, cold, snowy day for us. Light skiff of snow, overnight and some light snow falling as I rode my trails on the Norco Sasquatch fat bike. Did a good 6 miles, pushing myself hard in the climbs. Good workout. Being the glutton for work that I am, I then spent another two plus hours smoothing out a very bumpy section of trail.

No pavement riding, today, though. Figure I'll get plenty of that when the snow closes down my trails and I'll be riding the fat bikes out on our plowed roads. For now, I'm riding trails, every day, and pavement, every other day. Want to enjoy my trails while I still can. No one plows them for me.

Finally, conceding that my winter biking season is actually, here, I pulled the Norco Bigfoot out of summer storage and got it ready to go. This is a snow bike, only, fat bike because of its big aggressive studded tires. (My other Norco, the Sasquatch, I ride year round.) Figured I might as well be ready when the deep slushy snow hits. Won't be long, now.

[Crankin]

Yeah, my husband is in Chicago and he said he is glad he is leaving tomorrow late morning, because it is going to snow there shortly after that. We are getting rain on Friday, but there will be some snow in northern New England.

[north woods gal]

We're forecast to get three or four inches of snow over the next 48 hours and with the ground now frozen and temps staying below freezing, it might be the last we see of our lawn till spring. That time of year, for us.

Errands, today, one being a trip back to the bike shop with my single speed Pugsley for a gear change. My bike shop guy switched out the rear cog while I waited. Can't beat that. Probably could have done it, myself, but lots of little washers to get right on single speed conversion like this. He showed me how it's done, though, so I will probably go it on my own if need be, next time.

Changed to a slightly higher gear ratio. Not much, mind you, but even a little change is important when going ss for trail work. When you need a quick burst of speed, you can't afford to spin out, but you can't afford to under-spin, either, by being in too high a gear. Got to get it just right. Anyway, got home, mid-afternoon and, of course, went right to work on the trails with 5 plus miles of laps. Yup, got it just right, now.

[Crankin]

Decided to take a little recovery ride in the dark this morning. Went out about 5:30, or maybe a bit before. It takes so long to get ready for a cold, dark ride, despite laying out and charging everything last night. I did the flattest ride I can, with no add ons which have hills, about 10 miles. Felt great on the way out, but coming home, my legs felt tight and my average was quite low for this ride.
I wore the new Nox Gear safety light vest we got on sale. I can't really describe it, but it's very cool, with multiple flashing colors to choose from. There's a light (pretty big) on your back and very thin plastic tubes you slip your arms through that also light up. There's just one very light weight clip in the front that holds it on. I noticed cars staying far away. It's very busy on Main St from my street until they all get onto the highway, about 2 miles, so it was a good test. It's so light, you cannot even feel it.

[smartcric11]

Wow amazing experience guys. I would love to do the same this November