Every Time

I did not want to go out in this. Temps descending like a tour cyclist with a stage to win and nothing to lose, winds unabatedly screaming. I packed on all the layers needed for a below zero ride, while giving a pep talk to the Beast.
Goggles in place and no layer leaks letting fridged farenheit find any access. Sun was out, but it was just pretending.
In these temps, I wear those tights (Pearl Izumi) with the heavy wind stopper panels in front. The back of the tights are pretty basic so, when you have a significant tail wind....
Once out I felt good, everything stayed protected. I even needed to open the vents in my ski helmet. That thing is worth its weight in gold.
As usual when I don't want to go out I was glad I did. 20/12.8

Enough

January has had its fun, and proven that winter does still exist. Point taken, now let's be done with it. Another below zero wind chill ride, and the Twin Cities only had half as much temperature as yesterday.
Because all of yesterday's thawing is now as hard as, and is ice, I took the Beast out today. Its two inch wide tires full of studs were hard for the old hairy legs to push, but it was like the ice wasn't even there. I also felt safe and secure with its lower center of gravity on the 26ers.
Power is out here now, so I'm using my bike light, which is still hooked up to the Beast, to light up my place. Kind of a two-for. 20/12.9
The Beast Is Great

Let's Just Keep It Warm

Another day of wet and sloppy. Lots of puddles and slush will be getting crunchy tonight. The cold is coming again. oh yippee. 20/13.9

keep It Warm

Hazy and foggy... typical for me on a Monday, but that was the weather today. I'm not complaining, I prefer the warmth. Just Evil and me. Didn't want to take any chances after the 3 inches of snow yesterday. Trails were clear...temps above freezing and plows made sure of that. 20/12.8

Well Timed

Green Blobs, and rain, and ice. We had to act fast to avoid the peril lurking to the south. I took Evil with me, no one messes with Evil, and it worked, because the blobs waited to pounce, until Evil was parked and locked up in my garage. Only sprinkles dared appear as I approached my humble, but safe, abode. There is now a "tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my" window pane. No Raven, but ice pellets from the green blobs.
Amy and I have finished our Sunday ride and the weather can have its tantrum now. 31/14.0

Colder Than It Looks

You know you're just riding along, on a cold January day, feelin' pretty good. The idea pops into your head to pull the face mask down, get a little more air, enjoy the sunshine... Damn! It's cold out there! Whip that face mask back in place and make a note to self...15 degrees IS cold.
Three of us today.
Amy and I are creatures of habit. New? Different Route? does not sit well with either of us. We've established a nice consistent 50 mile route, for the winter, that is working out quite well. It's along fairly well travelled roads, that have wide shoulders. The well travelled roads have less ice, snow and debris, allowing us to, like today, ride road bikes without studded tires. I like bare asphalt.
During the winter, here in Minnesota, our black asphalt roads turn white; not with snow and not because of the cold, but because of all the road salt that is laid down to keep the roads clear of ice and snow. I'm not willing to take my fast good looking bike or even my "b" road bike out on these roads. I've got a "c" road bike, my Frankenbike, that I use for the salty clear roads. Don't want that salt eating away at my carbon Orca, or my aluminum C...dale. And besides, they deserve the winter off.
95% of today's route was on roads. Just a few miles along the greenway. 50/15.5

Finishing Up A 50 Miler With Amy and Ryan

Un-Ride

We all need a day off now and then. Talk to you Saturday, after the ride.

Fun With Negative Numbers

If you count the wind chill, which, if you're out in it YOU COUNT IT, I just finished a week of all sub-zero rides....well maybe Saturday wasn't sub-zero. That may have been the nicest ride in a few weeks with temps in the mid 30's, but still, it's been some cold rides lately. 20/13.6

Back Into The Positive

Temps barely into the double digits kept the ski helmet and goggles at home. Winds had me wishing they weren't. Windchill -15 to -20. There better be some warmth on the other side of this cold spell. 20/12.9

Warm?

Five degrees makes a difference. The wind not being as strong may have eased the chill some too. Hard to believe, but after the coldest weather in four years, zero degrees felt warm, at least warmer than yesterday. 20/13.9

How Do You Plead?

Guilty, by reason of insanity, your Honor.
Yeah, I did it. In my defense, the sun was out, and it looked really pretty, and it was 72 degrees in my apartment.
You know, I'm not training for anything. I don't have to do this. My problem is, I just like being able to say I did it. -5 actual temp when I left, with a -25 windchill.  Hour and a half ride time. 20/12.9

As Good As It Gets

Amy and I got out for a cold 25 miler today. Single digit temps and a stiff breeze kept us motivated to keep the many layers in place. Toes and fingers were still tingling even with warmers tucked in boots and gloves. It was a frosty gill repeat. A long post ride shower and a delicious cup of hot chocolate  with a shot of coconut flavored rum warmed me right up. 25/??
Had the family over to celebrate my grandson Bryson's 6th birthday. I got it really good!

Bryson with Taylor and Aubrey helping blow out the candles

Kelsey

Makenna and Grandpa

Fortunate

Gotta admit I was more than a bit concerned about the weather forecast. Wind gusts of 50mph with sustained winds over 30 and temps dropping throughout the day. The change came later than predicted and the four of us enjoyed temps near 40. I was over dressed, but felt like we kind of stole one from Mother Nature....I know, I know....we'll pay for it.
A bit of work to get to Excelsior, 'cause the wind was blowing, but after Excelsior we were chatting away, enjoying the sun, tailwind and warm January temps. 51/?? (Rode Frankenbike. He did good!)
Change came around 4pm. Wind from the NW and cold. It's now 4 degrees.
Guys Night Out! Bryson, Elijah, Ethan and Me on the TOWN! Look Out!
Actually it was Millionaire Monopoly, Lego Land and Famous Dave's. Lots of Fun!

Maintenance Friday

Did a little work on Frankenbike tonight. A few years ago I was looking through my bike parts and realized I had everything I needed for a whole bike, and then some. I bought a frame for $100 and put all the parts on it. Looked OK. I even road it now and then. Last year or so I've been taking parts off of it, and it's been sitting outside in the sun and snow and ice unprotected. Decided I wanted to bring it back to life again and did some operating on it in the dungeon this evening. Igor helped. It's a road bike frame, but I'm able to fit 32's on the wheels, so it's kind of a cross bike, but it has road brakes..... Here's a pic or two.
May take it out on tomorrow's ride.

IT'S ALIVE!

Crank Turning

Been a week of whining, but I still got in the miles. Sometimes that's just the way it is, the old hairy body wants to rebel. Another cold one and it looks like it will only get worse Sunday and Monday. It's a good thing I love this so much. 20.13.4

Best Excuses

I must be getting old cuz 30 degrees felt cold today. Damn! 20/13.6

In my defense there was a north wind creating a wind chill of 15....I know it's an excuse.

Fond Memories

I finally warmed up. It helped that today's temp more than doubled yesterday's.
A little sad news today. One of the things I've loved about my rides is what I see. I eventually figured out I could carry a camera with me and take pictures along the way. So I bought a nice point and shoot. I'm amazed at what a great decision that was. I love taking pictures, and I love riding my bikes, and I get to do both. My first camera has to be retired. The sweat from 100 degree rides and frozen condensation from below zero rides have finally taken their toll. Need to say goodbye to an old friend tonight. Thanks for the images.

And the new occupant of my left jersey pocket is:

I gave the new camera and easy subject on tonight's ride - Minnehaha Creek. 20/13.9

Need To Toughen Up

Still haven't warmed up from tonight's ride. Temp was 12, which is warmer than both Saturday and Sunday, but even a long hot shower and a bowl of made-from-scratch split pea soup hasn't warmed me up. I'm sitting here in my Trix hoodie, under the hood, writing my manifesto. I'll be in bed in about 5 minutes. 20/12.9

Good Decision

I've got to admit there are days when it's pretty hard to motivate myself to get out there. Today was one of those days. Lots of cold to deal with. I know better though. I'm always glad I rode when I get home, and I couldn't live with myself if I stayed in.
Had to concentrate on the road. A little snow had fallen and covered everything up, including the ice patches...no issues, but I really had to pay attention to the surface I was crossing.
Ice crystals on the balaclava say one thing - it's cold out. There were two of them...two whole degrees today. Really glad I rode. Post ride shower and hot chocolate were extra good today.

Back To Reality

Stayed warm for the first hour and a half grinding through 25 to 30mph winds all the way into Excelsior. Thought I had over dressed for temps in the low teens and wind chills below zero, but once the wind was no longer comin' straight at me, I realized I had it just about right. I was worried that there would be a lot of ice on  the roads, after yesterday's rain and thawing, but they were in great winter condition, and once again I was thinking I could be doing this on my road bike. Sun being out was really nice. Saw a Peleated Woodpecker near Navarre a long Lake Minnetonka...wished I could've gotten a photo. 51/13.6
My One Stop (all the accoutrements...nothing spared)

I even took on a bit of a hill, but had a little help from behind by a 25mph wind.

Gray Day

Day off the bike, but with business a little slow this time of year I actually got out with my camera. Rain last night and temps near 40 degrees today left the lakes less than frozen, even though us Minnesotans know this time of year to be the dead of winter. Apparently things will get pretty solid again tomorrow.

What's Going On?

Hard to believe I got rained on during my ride tonight. This is, on average, the coldest time of year in Minnesota. Pretty crazy. 20/14.3

Balmy

Another nice warm, for January, ride. Trails are clear, daylight is on the increase, a few less clothes,  and a bit quicker RPM.... I'll take it, as it looks like it will all come to an end just in time for the weekend rides. Yep, it is January in Minnesota, and let me tell you, it could be a hell of a lot colder. Minnesota's average temp has never been warmer than it was in 2012. Look out San Diego! 20/14.6

Thawing

Above freezing again today. Enjoying the January thaw. Less layers. I wish it would last. 20/13.8

Look Ma! No Lights

10 degrees warmer and longer days...I know it's still early January, but, one less layer and no lights needed on a ride that lasted to 5:30 got me feelin' all spring and summery. It's Minnesota. It won't last long. 20/14.2

No Zip Only Zapped

Although beautiful, a north wind and a low in the sky southern sun kept the ride cool. Yesterday's effort was a strong memory in the old hairy quads and after only a few miles I was on my own, Amy and Steven preferring a more city central route. Wayzata was where I pointed Evil, which destination was achieved. 37/13.2

Sun glasses were an essential ride component.

20 Felt Fine

Stayed on the asphalt today. I liked that.
Lots of sun. I liked that two.
Rode with Amy. I liked that three.
Still on the cross bikes, but it was all roads, which makes me smile. The riding was fine today, for early January. 55/14.6

Long Lake

 

Tempted

It was nice out there. Temp at 30 and lots of sun, but, not only was it my day off the bike, but I had a lot going on, and a few things that weren't a part of the plan. Wound up spending the evening with my daughter Brit...hard to beat that.

Just Cold

I keep on reminding myself, that being outside is better than being inside. Cold ride tonight, but it's far better than not riding, or stepping foot in a gym. Sometimes I'm more glad than other times, but I am glad I was out there tonight. 20/13.4

Continuing

I enjoy posting some of the beautiful things I see while I'm riding, here in the Twin Cities, but sometimes I see something that just makes me say, what? 20/13.2 on another cold day.

Doing It Again

Met 3 at the Cafe, and rode with no temp, into what was apparently no wind...I beg to differ. The temp did go from 0 to 8 by the time we got home, but this cold weather riding really zaps the energy out of me. Started the year off right, though, just like I ended it, by riding with Amy and good friends. A very good and perfect way to start a new year. 22/13.4

THE BEST TO ALL OF YOU FOR 2013