November rides: bringing in the chill

[Crankin]

We had a beautiful sunny day today, so we forced ourselves to get out there and ride. I am glad I did. Did the longer version of my early morning rides, 19 miles. It was actually warmer than I thought, as the weather was showing some wind still around, but we couldn't feel it much, as we had a tailwind going out, but then kind of a persistent and annoying crosswind on the way back. I was overdressed, but not horribly; I decided to wear my winter jacker with the pit zips, so at 9 miles, I unzipped them and pushed my head cover a little up on my ears. It was not necessary for me to be wearing my Ibex tights, but that did not bother me.
Every ride now until the roads get sloppy is a gift, so onward. It's going to be a high of 34 and a low of 19 on Wednesday and I am not sure if I can handle the group ride if it's in the low 20s at the start. it's going to be hilly, so I'd get warm quickly, but we will see.

[north woods gal]

So right about every ride on dry pavement now being a gift. Looks like I'm done, barring an unusual thaw. More snow, last night, almost 3". The plows haven/t been out all day, so probably be tomorrow before any serious road cleaning happens. I did take out the Norco fat bike with the heavy duty studded tires for 5 miles around our local roads. By staying in the tracks of cars, managed some good speeds, in fact.

I then had a try at clearing a path through the snow on my trails, but gave up, disgusted and frustrated. Promised myself, this winter, that I wouldn't work like a dog to keep my trails open to biking, again, the way I did last winter. That was just too much and no chronic neck discomfort like I have, now, either. I did ride the fat bike though the fresh snow on the trails, but just a matter of time, now, before it gets too deep for snow biking. Then it's out on the roads for my snow biking after the plows have done their work.

What I AM going to do, this winter, though, is just let it snow and use the skis and the snowshoes on the trails. I'll mix that with some snow biking out on the roads and (ugh!) maybe some indoor trainer work. Should be able to stay in shape though the winter. That, and the skis and snowshoes will give me a positive outlook on snow when it comes, instead of a negative one as per trying to keep my trails open all winter.

[north woods gal]

Overnight lows now in single digits and about 5" of snow on the ground. Yup, still riding, snow and cold, notwithstanding. Same old crazy me.

No new snow, now, for a couple days, so have been riding my trails enough to pack down the snow and get a good base. As long as I stay in my narrow "single track", I do okay. No techy turns or fancy stuff, now, but as long as I stay on the straight or gently curving sections, I'm safe. Also doing some pavement riding on our plowed roads. All fat bike stuff, so far. The single speed Pugs is doing better than expected as a snow bike. Getting a lot of use from it, more than expected. Probably the end of my single speed skinny tire bike riding, now that winter is here, but at least I'll still be able to go single speed, thanks to the Pugs.

[north woods gal]

Like I said, I'm a little crazy.

[Crankin]

We're getting snow Thursday night. It will be melting by early AM, but still. I hope it doesn't affect my plans for a nice Saturday ride.
I don't think I can force myself to get to the group ride tomorrow. It will be around 25 at the start, with a lower real feel. Lots of wind.

[Crankin]

The ride today was cancelled...
I think it will be fine for Saturday. Any snow we get will be washed away.

[north woods gal]

Hope it works out for you, Crankin. Our weather continues to be cold, but at least we've had a little sunshine. That does help my mood, at least.

13 miles, today, all on the fat bikes, including 10 miles of riding on our snow packed roads and anther 3 on my equally snowy trails. To be safe, did the roads on the fat bike with studded tires, since the snow is packed down very tight due to a couple of days of traffic. Probably would have been fine without the studded tires, but just felt better to be safe than sorry. You know, even after all these years of riding on snowy roads, I have to winder what people think when they see my pedaling on by. Our neighbors that know us think it's pretty cool for me to be out riding, no matter what, but I'm sure some strangers think I'm a little nutty. Oh, well.

I did the trails on the Pugs, after I got back from my road ride. Was nice to ditch the studded tires for the smoother rolling tires on the Pugs, plus the Pugs is a single speed, now. Hard to explain why I prefer going single speed, but I just do.