First bike ride of the season

[stevej37]

Sun was out and the temp was almost 50 degrees...felt warm.

Aired the tires and took off for a 10 mile ride. The wind was right out of the north and I was going south for the first half.
On the way back, the arctic wind was not fun. Was wearing jeans, shirt, sweatshirt and jacket and I was freezing on the return.

I'm getting to the point of 'it has to be 60 or more to bike'

[cstreit]

THe secret in the Midwest is to ride into the wind on the way out.

[stevej37]

^^^
Yes...I just didn't think the wind was going to be such a factor...it goes right through you at this time of the year.
In the summer, it will feel good.

[herr_oberst]

Hard to know what to wear in Spring. It's pretty rare that I get it just right and these days I'm old so I err on the side of too many layers rather than too few - and I live in temperate Portland, not close to a giant icy cold great lake. Good for you for getting out there!

Hint - a pair of latex gloves will make even thin gloves A LOT warmer when you're facing that arctic headwind. And they roll up tight and pack tiny if your hands get too hot and sweaty.

[flatbutt]

The Raleigh is ready but the wind in my valley was too much for me. So, I washed the salt off of my Taco.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Sun was out and the temp was almost 50 degrees...felt warm.

Aired the tires and took off for a 10 mile ride. The wind was right out of the north and I was going south for the first half.
On the way back, the arctic wind was not fun. Was wearing jeans, shirt, sweatshirt and jacket and I was freezing on the return.

I'm getting to the point of 'it has to be 60 or more to bike'

I turned my A/C on yesterday for a bit .... but don't need it today

[stevej37]

Aside from the cold wind...my other problem was I couldn't find my beanie that I wear under my helmet. At the end of last season, I must have stored it somewhere....can't find it.

A bare head under a biking helmet is not warm at all. A beanie (skull cap) really helps.
I'm ordering a new one.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by cstreit

THe secret in the Midwest is to ride into the wind on the way out.

I have a great trail and beautiful country riding, but I have to go downhill and usually with a tailwind on my way out... I’ve ridden these roads for probably 40 years and I still somehow convince myself that I’m in good shape this day and yea, I’m going downhill and with the wind, but nope, I’m just fast today... and then I have to turn around and reality sets in and no sir, it wasn’t my fitness and now I get to earn the second half of the ride.

Still worth it.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by rwest

Still worth it.

Yes it is. A good hard biking workout is very satisfying.
Almost as much as the cold beer afterwards.

[rwest]

Our roads and trails are still pretty snowy, icy, gritty and pot holey to really enjoy a bike ride now.

I have plenty of cold weather gear and don’t let temp decide my riding. Several years ago and for several years, this idiot commuted to work all winter long- work is 20 miles away- it sucked, took too much time and I now have a rod in my leg from an icy section.

My “record” was twenty miles at -25F!

Looking forward to a good spring thaw on the trail, I can ride a mile to the Gateway Trail and then get a 30 mile ride in without cars- so relaxing.

[stevej37]

[QUOTE=rwest;11956715]
this idiot commuted to work all winter long- work is 20 miles away- it sucked, took too much time and I now have a rod in my leg from an icy section.
My “record” was twenty miles at -25F!


Hats off to you...-25F is too cold to be even walking.
I also have a rod in my leg (femur) due to biking.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cstreit

THe secret in the Midwest is to ride into the wind on the way out.

That's the secret anywhere! When we were training for the MS150 a couple/few years ago, it seemed that for any ride, training or otherwise, chance ALWAYS had us going with the wind for the first half and against the wind on the second half, and that ALWAYS SUCKS.

Going into the wind feels 4 times as hard as going with it. And going into the wind when you're already tired is horrible. I guess it's good training, but holy moly, it's miserable soul sucking torture.

[look 171]

Getting dressed now to go for a 40 mile ride. Waiting on my kid to get ready so I can give him a good beating. Windy like crazy today. Its gonna to a tough ride pushing the wind. Its about 63 out now. Today will be the first time in shorts and a long sleeve jersey. I have been covered up in knee warmers for the past three months. It will feel good to be our in shorts again. No full length tights or heavy jacket needed around here. It just doesn't get that cold. 40s in the col mornings. Crank a bit harder to warm up.

I will be riding against the wind on my way home. This way, I know I must push so I can come home. No short cuts, no cruising there. My kid is 120 lbs, 5-10. A stick and nothing to draft off of.

[stevej37]

There is definitely a different 'feel' here between a 20 mph wind in the early spring and summer.

No matter how warm you suit up...it still gets numbing cold on days like today.
May will be entirely better.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by stevej37

There is definitely a different 'feel' here between a 20 mph wind in the early spring and summer.

No matter how warm you suit up...it still gets numbing cold on days like today.
May will be entirely better.

I think in the spring, if you having any wind coming off of a body of water, it gets even colder.

[stevej37]

^^^ True...I'm near the edge of Lake MI.
The prevailing winds are very humid and cold in the spring until the water warms up.

[stevej37]

I was surprised that the 10 miles didn't feel bad at all on my legs.
I've been riding my rollers during the off-season...but it's not the same.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I was surprised that the 10 miles didn't feel bad at all on my legs.
I've been riding my rollers during the off-season...but it's not the same.

I'm on a wind trainer and it can get very boring.

[Chocaholic]

I’ve gotten the same way with motorcycling the last few years. Temp needs to be at least 60 or I’m not doing it.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I'm on a wind trainer and it can get very boring.

I have a tv close by to watch the morning news while on the rollers.
It helps, but it's still boring.