Monday, Nov 20 RIDES

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

This morning was 35 degreesF, no sun, breezy. In other words, pretty COLD.

I layered up pretty well this time.
Top: bra, merino smartwool longsleeve crew, thick wool sweater, SheBeest WindPro jacket. Bottom: SB chamois TechTights, SB WindPro non-chamois tights.
Thin merino socks, thick wool skiing knee socks, hiking boots. Smartwool glove liners, Ibex ski gloves. LG Junior balaclava, SmartWool helmet liner.
Seemed like a huge amount of clothes to put on, but by the end of my ride I was glad for every item.
My ride was 21 miles, about 2 hours. On some downhills I had tears streaming down my face because of the cold wind. My glasses frames were cold on my nose bridge. Never got overheated on the uphills, but stayed refreshingly chilled (in a good way) throughout my ride. My toes got cold in the end. My fingers got cold for a while, then warmed up again. Next time, 2 pairs thick socks instead of one thick and one thin. I just LOVE my balaclava- kept my neck and ears snuggly and kept my chin nice and warm in the wind. It fits my small head so nicely- no bagginess.

Because I was warm enough, I really was able to concentrate on enjoying my ride. There's a short steep hill that I usually go into my granny gear for. The last 3 times however, I've been making it up that hill while staying in my middle gear ring up front. Nice to see little progresses.
I had scrubbed my bike clean last week. Today I put some lube on my chain & pedals, and am so pleased that the misc. squeaking and creaking is now magically GONE. Haven't had a silent ride in several months, I totally forgot how nice it is.
DH ordered my new skinny tires...can't wait!

[Triskeliongirl]

Good for you Lisa! All I did today was my daily commute into work, but for me it was the coldest ride I've done all season, and I *nearly* bagged. In the 40s when I left home, so I bundled up with full length tights, a long sleeve jersey, head band, and glove liners. Well, the goretex jacket came off at ~ mile 4 but then I was pretty comfy. It was in the 50s by the time I got to work. My problem still tends to be overdressing and overheating until my body warms up.

[mtkitchn]

I feel so lame. It's in the 80s and sunny here, but I woke up feeling blah and wasn't going to get on the bike at all. DH and I went to lunch and I overate, so I made myself go out and ride. Only did 10 miles, but I hope to do more tomorrow.

[Fredwina]

I did some hill training. In keeping with the weather. I was cold on the way up and warm on the way down. Still trying to figure that one out.

[emily_in_nc]

I feel so lame. It's in the 80s and sunny here, but I woke up feeling blah and wasn't going to get on the bike at all. DH and I went to lunch and I overate, so I made myself go out and ride. Only did 10 miles, but I hope to do more tomorrow.

Hey, at least you rode! Don't beat yourself up. Every bit counts!

80s and sunny....I'm envious! We had 40s and clouds today. After working at home, I took a nice woodland walk at 5pm on the trails with DH and the dog and finally got warmed up!

Emily