First Ride of the Year!

[abejita]

Hubs and I and two of our friends took a quick spin around the lake this morning. Great way to start the year! It was cold...28! Off to get shoe covers and glove liners cause I couldn't feel my feet and toes when we got home. Last year, I rode a grand total of 3654 miles. Not bad for my first full year of cycling.

[redrhodie]

Good job, abejita!

Even though I got only 4 hours sleep, I felt like riding as soon as I woke up. I'm glad I went. It's such an excellent way to start the New Year. I was way over dressed, even though it was supposedly only 40 when I left, it is headed into the 50s today, and already warmer than I'm used to. I had to take off my buff, and the breeze felt great!

Happy New year!

[LivetoRide]

Awesome! I too, am planning on riding today. The high for here in IN is around 40 and it'll be dropping through the afternoon. There's been some scattered rain as well but I'm hoping it'll miss us or pass before 1:00 as I haven't ridden on the road in a while now.

ETA: It was cold!! It had dropped below 35 and was windy but luckily we didn't get rained on. We only did like 12 miles as everyone was too cold to do any more but the point was to just get the road bikes out again.

[azfiddle]

I am going to wait until it warms up, but plan on going out around noon or a little after.

Abejita- we were almost tied for my miles, and 2010 was my first full year too.

[abejita]

I am going to wait until it warms up, but plan on going out around noon or a little after.

Abejita- we were almost tied for my miles, and 2010 was my first full year too.

Yay for the obsessive newbies!!!

[cyclinginmd]

i rode for 40 minutes on my trainer. my ipod died with 10 minutes left actually, it wasn't too bad, although i did look at my watch every minute until time was up lol great way to start 2011

[solobiker]

I was going to go for a ride outside today but we got some snow and it is only 10 F out....Brrrrrr. Plus I still have to change out my tires. So I guess I may just ride the spin bike later today.

[ridebikeme]

Congrats to all of you that got out to ride today!!

I was able to get out and ride today too. The odd thing is that I have NEVER been able to ride the roads here in Maine on January 1st.. needless to say I'm totally stoked! I rode about 25 miles on my mtn bike, too sandy and slushy snow for a road bike. Temps were about 38, so that's very warm for this area at this time of the year. Climbed to a chain of lakes that is about a 10-11 mile climb, although not terribly steep. Of course, the return is mostly downhill, so I was glad to have the mtn bike with tons of sand and some slush. But what an AWESOME day!!

[Becky]

DH and I rode to work today and tacked on a few extra miles on the way home, just because it was so nice out

[7rider]

Pfunk12 talked me into doing a special "New Years edition" of the N2.
"We'll be going easy" she assured me.
I haven't been doing much riding and am still fighting a stubborn, lingering cold. So I was dubious, as their "easy" rides usually equal my all out efforts. But, I was game. DH hung back with me as my Sherpa, since I was on a different bike today vs. yesterday, and I forgot to put the saddle bag back on -- I had no flat repair kit should I get a flat on the damp, sandy roads.
36 miles of chasing. Ugh. Thank goodness for traffic lights and one unfortunate flat (not mine...another guys). For June...when I'm riding lots, yes, the pace would have been easy. For January 1st, when I hadn't been riding more than 7.5 miles at a clip (for my slow, pondering commutes) for over a month and a half, it was brutally, awfully fast.
The ride - plus some Pinot tonight - will hopefully cause me to sleep really well tonight!

[azfiddle]

DH and I just returned from our first ride of 2011- up to Saguaro NP and back from our house, plus our favorite 8 mile loop road through the park. It was chilly for us- low-mid 40's but a beautiful clear blue sky. It was a nice way to start the new year together. 25.6 miles for me.

[radacrider]

I rode Portland's BTA's 54th Annual New Year's Day ride, and then adding my ride to the start and home from the end I got in 21 miles.

Leisurely pace, but it was really fun to ride with other people, since I am primarily a solo commuter.

Weatherwise, dry, 10-15mph easterly wind (means cold), overcast. Only parts that had a little trouble were my toes for a short bit and my chin/mouth. I did have a scarf which allowed me to cover/uncover for comfort. Might actually try a balaclava next time.

Happy new year, all and wishing you lot's of cycling enjoyment for 2011!

I've posted some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freehee...7625598582089/

[PamNY]

We had a balmy 45-degree day today, and I had a lovely ride. Quite a few people said "Happy New Year" and there are some very impressive snowmen/women around.

Congratulations to everyone with impressive mileages this year. No idea how many miles I did, but I thoroughly enjoyed them all.

[Susan Otcenas]

I rode the Oregon Randonneurs New Year's Day 200K - which was actually 206k (128 miles). It was coooooooold. 28 degrees for the 7:30am start. High of 35. I have Raynaud's Syndrome quite severely and really suffer in the cold, so apparel is absolutely critical for me. Fortunately, I know where to get some great stuff. :-)

The run down, from head to toe:
Sugoi Midzero Balaclava http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_92917U.html
Louis Garneau Helmet Cover http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1083072.html
Tifosi Envy Sunglasses http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTI_TV031.html
Craft Pro Zero Extreme Base Layer http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_1900244.html
Smartwool Full Zip Wool Jersey (sold out)
Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Phantom Jacket http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JPHALO.html
Pearl Izumi Amfib Gloves http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_8819.html
Icebreaker Wool Cycling Knicker (new for S'11 - not yet on market)
Pearl Izumi Amfib Tights http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_4355.html
Smartwool knee high snowboarding socks (we don't sell the snowboarding socks, but they are among the thickest socks SW makes. )
Little Hotties Foot Warmers (bottom of feet) http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIP_07005.html
Little Hotties Toe Warmers (top of feet) http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIP_07008.html
Sidi Goretex Winter Booties http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSD_10210.html
Pearl Izumi Shoe Covers http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_9292.html
homemade bootie liners!

I run cold, so while many people would roast in what I was wearing, for me it was perfect. I'll also say that as I was set up, it was very easy for me to regulate my ventilation as I warmed up and cooled down. I zipped and unzipped the jacket and pit zips on the Gore piece as needed. The balaclava stretches really well, so when I was cold it was over my mouth, when I was warm it was under my chin.

I carried extra clothing (dry bra and base layer, which I changed at the halfway mark, so that I'd have a fresh dry layer next to my skin), extra gloves, extra beanie, more toe warmers.

Homemade bootie liners: these are made out of hot water heater aluminized bubble wrap (the stuff you wrap your hot wat heater in, to insulate it). Jeff got a wild hair and made them for me a few days ago. He says they are rated R-3. They certainly worked, in combination with everything else on my feet. I was out for 10 hours. The little hotties finally gave up the ghost around 8 hours, and that was when my feet started to chill. But I was so grateful for 8 hours of warmth. Usually the little hotties alone help, but aren't quite enough for me. Again, for most people, this would be way overkill, but I spend much of my day (inside and outside) struggling with the circulation in my extremities, so I'll try just about anything.

[shellkay1212]

Chili Challenge, 2011

LOTS of people this year. It was relatively nice. We ride awhile and then stop and watch the polar bear swim. We ride back to the park clubhouse and enjoy chili and talking about the upcoming spring and summer riding plans. Love this ride.