Walk and Ride

Lots of ice on the trails west of France, especially on Cedar Lake Trail. I had to get off and walk it several times, but still, it was so nice to be on the bike after two days in the gym. Saw Amy about half way through my ride and rode with her for an hour or so. 30/12.9

Finally

Last day below zero, and at the gym, I hope, for the rest of the year. The plan is to be out tomorrow as the predicted high is 12 above. Listened to Evanescence for 2hrs on the elliptical. 2hrs/2165

Butt Crack Guy

-35 degree wind chill and actual air temp at -3 motivated me to take a chance on butt crack guy being at the gym again. Fortunately he wasn't there. 2 hrs on the elliptical listening to AC/DC live. 2hrs/2155

Rain

Another delightful ride. With temps in the low 40's, I didn't need toe, or hand warmers. I've felt strong on my last four rides, and more importantly didn't want these rides to end. The last couple of weeks have been very cold and my rides a drudgery. I figure I was sick, but don't have any symptoms to point to, except slow rides that were less than enjoyable.

Lots of people out on the trails this evening and I saw numerous cyclists. Felt like spring, and just as I was getting home, it started to rain lightly. It looks like we're back to the cold tomorrow. 30/14.9

Nirvana

34 degrees when I got home. Rode with 5 friends. Roads were clear, birds were singing, everything was at peace. Oneness was achieved. Pretty sad that temps above freezing could bring such joy, but that's what riding in Minnesota is about. Can you imagine what 50 degrees will be like. 40/14.3

Just What The Dr. Ordered

50 miles on the road, temps in the 20's, and the sun even showing through the clouds a few times, was just what I needed. Rode up into Baker from Excelsior, over to Wayzata and then back home. The roads were wet, but nice and clear. This is one of my favorite routes. 48/15.4

Back Well Below Cranky

Temp was up near 20. It felt great to be out. The legs weren't rebelling, but actually working quite well. Rode with Amy...the conversation was very enjoyable. It's always good riding with her. 24/13.2

Beyond Cranky!

It's just been a pitiful week for riding. I've felt like shit, and it's been fucking cold. Hmmm, swearing didn't make me feel any better. I went to the gym today, listened to ZZ Top. Some guy sitting on a stationary bike, was showing off his butt crack. Then when he was walking around the track "cooling down", his shirt wouldn't cover his gut.

I actually feel a little better today, and it's suppose to get warmer tomorrow and over the weekend, so I'm hoping to achieve a more blissful state by the end of the weekend. 2hrs/2145

Cut Short

I guess I'm still not feeling too good. I've been out in colder weather, but this got to me today. When I left the temp was 1, and when I got home it was -2. Toes and especially my fingers were hurting. I love to ride all year round, but know that if I get hurt I won't be riding for awhile. Some think I'm insane for riding in this weather. I'd be more insane if I didn't ride. I'm also smart enough to call it quits if it's too dangerous. I came home after 18 miles and took a nice long hot shower. I survived to ride another day. The weekend looks like it will be up in the 30's, so maybe I can get a 50 miler in on Saturday, and some more good miles in on Sunday. 18/12.6

Back In The Saddle

It's amazing what 11 hours of sleep can do. It was a beautiful slow ride this evening. There were at least 6 kite-boarders out on Calhoun, just as the sun was setting. Kites of many colors, tails of powder rising off the boards from the new snow, and frozen rainbow sentinels on each side of the setting sun...my bike is turning into my 6th sense. 25/12.4

Stale Air

Worked out inside today for 2hrs on the elliptical. Yesterday I got home from my ride and didn't feel good. I had a kind of burning in my lungs. Slept in late today, and still felt bad when I woke up, so I decided to stay inside and try to get over whatever this might be before it starts.

I do need the real air of an outdoor ride, and won't be able to bear the stale air of the gym too long. I hope I feel better tomorrow. 2hrs/2140

Darth Rider

More people visible today than Saturday, but still a little sparse even though joggers, dog walkers and even a kite-boarder on Calhoun were out there. I left and the temp was at -8 with a wind chill of -25. I arrived home with a temp of -1.

The sun so intense with everything, the snow, the trees, the streets, and the people trying futilely to soak it in, but the cold is relentless. The beauty of the day belies how fragile and susceptible we are to these elements. That's one of the many joys of getting out and riding in it...I survived. 25/13.1

Negative Ride

Got out at about 10:30 this morning. The temp was -14 with a wind chill of -30. It really was a nice ride. I had the trails all to myself, and the sun...it was brilliant, what a gorgeous day. I took it very slow and stayed close to home just in case there was a problem, or I got too cold. No exposed skin, 4 layers on my torso, ski goggles, 3 balaclavas and a wool hat, kept me just fine. The wind wasn't as bad as they predicted, and by the time I got home it was -4. Almost balmy.

I'll do it again tomorrow. Very nice! 30/12

No Ride

Ah Friday. It's usually my day off the bike, but over the last couple of years, I've started to use it as a slow recreational ride, usually on my fixie. Today I had the time and desire to ride. Since it would've taken longer to get properly dressed for a ride with a -20 wind chill than the actual ride itself, I decided to head over to the gym and spend an hour on the elliptical listening to Nickelback. I'll be out tomorrow with wind chills at or below -35.

All The Feeling Is Back

I thought I wouldn't see anyone out there tonight, but low and behold I saw more cyclists out tonight than Tuesday or Wednesday. Go figure. I saw another guy smoking while riding. This guy was on a ss with a messenger bag. Didn't expect that. Also saw Hammerschmit, and rode with him for a few miles. He's really a good guy. Temp was 6 with a windchill of -7 when I got home. A nice long, hot shower brought back all the feeling to my extremities. God! I love winter riding. 31/13.4

Cold Wind

I've really noticed the wind the last couple of days. Maybe I'm getting sick or something, but MAN! Oh well, it always feels good to get out once I'm back inside. 30/13.5

High Definition Ride

That was a cold windy ride tonight. I almost cut it short. I rode along the east side of Calhoun and saw some vivid colors from the sunset. The white from the lake, gray from the clouds, blue from the sky and pink from the sun, beat any attempt at reality on TV. From Calhoun I went over to Harriet, and then back up the west side of Calhoun home. I mention this too often, but the view of the skyline from Thomas Beach is awe inspiring. I caught it at a perfect time tonight. The sun wasn't completely set, so the skyline took on a polished brass look. With the white snow of the lake, and the dark grayish blue sky behind the buildings, I got another better than HD view of life. No filters, no camera angles, no music, just my eyes and my bike. 32/13.5

Nippy

The temp was 9 degrees above when I got home from my ride this evening, with the wind chill below 0. It's suppose to get even colder this weekend. I saw some Mormon missionaries along the greenway riding their bikes. They didn't look very comfortable...kind of wondering what they were doing out in these temps. I talked to them for a little...seemed like good kids. Not many others out on their bikes this evening. It was nice to be out, very nice. 30/13.2

Orbea

I finally got my Orbea back yesterday. Excelcycle did an adequate job, but it sounds like Orbea USA kind of dragged their feet. First the front derailleur cable stop broke off the frame. I got it back in pretty good time, and then the rear derailleur cable stop broke off the frame. It's hard to know what caused the problem, but I'm guessing, and hoping, it was just bad rivets. If it's a frame issue things could get miserable. All in all I've been without my Orbea since before Thanksgiving, which really sucks. Even though I wouldn't have been riding it, it's irritating that it had to break (I've only had it for 6 months), and then take so long to get fixed. It feels so good to have it back.

A buddy was telling me the other day that his girlfriend wouldn't be home when he got back from his ride. He seemed a little too excited when he mentioned that this meant he could take his bike in the shower. I wondered if his girlfriend got jealous. I hope it was good for both of them.

Nice ride today...did the Grand Rounds, and then went over to the Fair Grounds and came back on Cleveland to Franklin, along West River Road to Minnehaha Parkway. Saw a guy walking his bike along the creek. He had a cigarette in his hand. I always get a kick out of seeing someone smoking while riding. 41/14.0

Solo But Scenic

One of the nicer rides of this Winter. 54/15.4

Friday rides are slow, kid-like, and always over too quick. 12/12.5

Saw Hammerburg on the way home tonight. 30/14.8

View

It's nice to be out with the trails clear again. The greenway has been brutal up until this weekends thaw. Last night and tonight, at the end of my ride, I came around Thomas Beach and got the usual stunning view of the downtown skyline. Last night the IDS had just about all it's lights on...Spectacular! 29/13.8

De Rosa

Finished turning my old De Rosa frame into a single speed 53/13. Chose this gear ratio for interval work outs. I might even show up at Black Dog with this. I won't be climbing any hills with it, that's for sure.