Can't wait for warm

[garysol1]

I am a year round cyclist. As long as it is dry and the temp is somewhere south of 30 I am good for a ride. My Stoker on the other hand.......if it is not on the right side of mid 60's my dear wife is getting on the bike. I have this dreadful feeling that come spring, it will be like starting all over for her. She has been doing a spin class through winter so hopefully that will help her get back into the swing of things pretty quickly.
Thanks for listening....I feel better now :)

[matthew_deaner]

My son (who is my stoker) is that way too. He's 10, but is serious about cycling. He spent some time on my trainer in December but has learned to hate it just as much as me. He feels that the Carmichael training videos are too demanding and he gets bored with tempo work while watching spongebob; etc. We've still been getting in about 30-miles a week on the tandem, but that's a shadow of the mileage of our warm weather riding and he hates the cold. And he also likes to ride his single bike, but doesn't like it in cold weather because the wind hits him more directly than when he is stoker. Plus, he gets to be lazy when he is stoker (and he often is lazy, but I keep my mouth shut, it's important that he have a good time).

A few days ago, he came up to me, and with a really serious look on his face, said, "Daddy, I haven't been riding enough. I'm not hardcore anymore, and I think I'm getting fat. I want to climb some hills on my Giant." So we aired up the tires on his Giant TCR and went out in the 25-degree weather and tackled a couple of moderate hills. Thirty minutes later, and he was gasping for air and ready to go home. I was cold from not being able to work hard enough to keep my core temp up. I was reminded of how much more I like riding tandem with my son versus single bikes. I get to work hard and stay warm, he gets to be lazy and have a windbreak...

[zonatandem]

While it is a bit warmer riding in the stoker position in the winter, it's also a bit warmer riding in that position in the summer!

[djembob02]

In agreement here!
The little one and I have been on the trainer about 3 days a week (about an hour each). We don't use the training DVD's, instead we ride to Dora the Explorer, Cars, or some kids program. Because she is only allowed a limited amount of TV while not on the bike, she likes getting to watch some extra TV (even if its on the bike). This last week, I've really been feeling her push every once in a while. I look back to see what's going on and she looks up at me with a huge smile.

Having said this, my rear stoker hasn't been on in weeks, and she has actually said she wants to go riding outside! She won't ride much under 60's and she isn't motivated by Dora.

Can't wait for some warm weather for some good old family riding.

[masiman]

My son (who is my stoker) is that way too. He's 10, but is serious about cycling. He spent some time on my trainer in December but has learned to hate it just as much as me. He feels that the Carmichael training videos are too demanding and he gets bored with tempo work while watching spongebob; etc. We've still been getting in about 30-miles a week on the tandem, but that's a shadow of the mileage of our warm weather riding and he hates the cold. And he also likes to ride his single bike, but doesn't like it in cold weather because the wind hits him more directly than when he is stoker. Plus, he gets to be lazy when he is stoker (and he often is lazy, but I keep my mouth shut, it's important that he have a good time).

A few days ago, he came up to me, and with a really serious look on his face, said, "Daddy, I haven't been riding enough. I'm not hardcore anymore, and I think I'm getting fat. I want to climb some hills on my Giant." So we aired up the tires on his Giant TCR and went out in the 25-degree weather and tackled a couple of moderate hills. Thirty minutes later, and he was gasping for air and ready to go home. I was cold from not being able to work hard enough to keep my core temp up. I was reminded of how much more I like riding tandem with my son versus single bikes. I get to work hard and stay warm, he gets to be lazy and have a windbreak...

LOL Deaner,

A match made in heaven. I liked your write up.

[garysol1]

The little one and I have been on the trainer about 3 days a week


So you have the tandem on a trainer? Hummmmm..I have never thought about that. I ride rollers on my single bike but I do have a fork stand for the rollers that I could mount the tandem into. Great idea djembob02...Thanks

[Hermes]

We too can’t wait for spring and summer. We are participating in a time trial on February 17 and the Solvang Century on March 10th. For dealing with the winter weather, we have raingear, fenders and rain bikes. We are training outdoors as much as possible unless the weather is really bad. We also do spin classes. It is forecast to start raining this Thursday and continue through the weekend until Tuesday; on go the rain jackets. Hopefully, the weather will be reasonable enough to take out the tandem.

Presently, we are skiing at Deer Valley, UT. We skied in freezing rain and fog yesterday (it was horrible) but today was beautiful; sunny, 53 degrees and no wind. The next couple of days will be good with weather coming in Thursday and Friday. Deer Valley is okay and the skiing is good but the base is marginal. We have no idea whether skiing will count as training toward our time trial (probably not) but we will be back in the saddle for a couple of training sessions prior to February 17th.

[djembob02]

Yes, the triplet is on the trainer, here's a couple pictures.

[zonatandem]

Warmer temps on the way . . .
It was 80 degrees yesterday in Tucson and riding in shorts/jerseys. Warmup is headed east; get ready!

[TandemGeek]

Warmup is headed east; get ready!

Really.... Has there been a change in the Jet Stream?

Despite the predicted high of 51*, it's 34* at noon here in Atlanta, Georgia.

Although forecasters & Meterologiests rarely get the forecast for the following week right, and often times miss it even for the next day (and like investment advisors, never admit they're clueless), here's what we're looking forward to in terms of temperatures for the next 10 days:

Today, Feb 6 = 51°/36°
Wed, Feb 7 = 57°/37°
Thu, Feb 8 = 52°/33°
Fri, Feb 9 = 43°/25°
Sat, Feb 10 = 46°/25°
Sun, Feb 11 = 51°/30°
Mon, Feb 12 = 53°/41°
Tue, Feb 13 = 48°/38°
Wed, Feb 14 = 58°/36°
Thu, Feb 15 = 55°/37°

And, interestingly enough, this is absolutely normal....

Feb Ave High: 55°F
Feb Ave Low: 31°F
Record High: 80°F (1989)
Record Low: -2°F (1996)

March Ave High: 64°F
March Ave Low: 38°F
Record High: 86°F (1995)
Record Low: 7°F (1960)

[ElRey]

Here's the good news: if you train a lot in bad weather, you'll stomp all them lightweights who don't when race conditions turn bad. Having said that, now that I don't race big time anymore I try to keep from going out when it's under 20.

[zonatandem]

Weathermen and investor advisors are prognosticators . . . 'guessing' what's coming!
Well, a couple weeks ago we even had snow in Tucson; our coldest winter since 1979. Temps got down to 22 (yes, above zero) but it warmed up into low 40s.
Having lived, and survived, 40 below zero we shouldn't be complaining
Spring has arrived here with the first succullent cactus already blooming. Going for a tandem toot at 11-ish and taking Kay out for lunch al fresco.
Sending y'all some of our excess sunshine . . .

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandm

[garysol1]

Rode 50 miles today in Memphis with the temps nudging 60degrees. Thankfully we had a steady 20mph wind with gusts to 30 just to remind us that it is still winter.

[Dobe]

Here is our forcast (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) for the next few days. I guess it'll be a while until I can get the tandem on the road again. At least we have had lots of snow and the cross-country skiing will be good if it warms up a bit.

TONIGHT Cloudy periods
Temp. -29°C Wind 5 km/h NW P.O.P. 10%

TOMORROW MORNING Cloudy periods
Temp. -28°C Wind 5 km/h N P.O.P. 10%

TOMORROW AFTERNOON Variable cloudiness
Temp. -22°C Wind 10 km/h NW P.O.P. 20%

TOMORROW EVENING Variable cloudiness
Temp. -25°C Wind 5 km/h W P.O.P. 20%

Long Term Forecast

Thursday, Feb 8 Mainly cloudy
High -21°C Low -30°C P.O.P. 30%

Friday, Feb 9 Mainly sunny
High -21°C Low -27°C P.O.P. 0%

Saturday, Feb 10 Mainly sunny
High -22°C Low -27°C P.O.P. 0%

[Hermes]

Here is our forcast (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) for the next few days. I guess it'll be a while until I can get the tandem on the road again. At least we have had lots of snow and the cross-country skiing will be good if it warms up a bit.

Yes, but...you have Saskatoon Berry Pie which is totally yummy that makes up for a lot of snow.

[Red Rider]

We too can’t wait for spring and summer. We are participating in a time trial on February 17 and the Solvang Century on March 10th. For dealing with the winter weather, we have raingear, fenders and rain bikes. We are training outdoors as much as possible unless the weather is really bad. We also do spin classes. It is forecast to start raining this Thursday and continue through the weekend until Tuesday; on go the rain jackets. Hopefully, the weather will be reasonable enough to take out the tandem.

Presently, we are skiing at Deer Valley, UT. We skied in freezing rain and fog yesterday (it was horrible) but today was beautiful; sunny, 53 degrees and no wind. The next couple of days will be good with weather coming in Thursday and Friday. Deer Valley is okay and the skiing is good but the base is marginal. We have no idea whether skiing will count as training toward our time trial (probably not) but we will be back in the saddle for a couple of training sessions prior to February 17th.

Hey, we'll be in Solvang, too! It'll be my second time, captain's first time, and first time on the tandem. Our friends & I rode last year; what an introduction to a century! Can't wait to see what we get this year.

We're headed to Palm Springs this weekend -- it was 82 or thereabouts yesterday -- sounds pretty sweet to me. Good luck in the rain this weekend.

[zonatandem]

While tandeming in 82 degree weather today in Tucson, AZ chatted with some nice folks from James Bay (French speaking/Quebecois) that were cycling and enjoying the sunshine here. Suggest you folk from Saskatoon come and join them for a warm up!
Heard all about Saskatoon/Saskatchewan winter weather from my dad, who in 1912, worked laying the Trans-Canada railroad in that neck of the woods! He tought it was almost 'balmy' in Winnipeg!
Keep them tandem tires aired up . . . spring will follow winter . . .

[ElRey]

Dobe, aren't there any roads heading south out of Saskatchewan????

[Xanti Andia]

Going on a 40 km night ride through the city of Buenos Aires with the Devotosdelpedal. An anarchic band of mountain bikes, 30-40 bikes. http://www.devotosdelpedal.com.ar/photogallery/devotosmiercoles.jpg, has three rides a week on now traditional routes layed out years ago by original members that nobdoy remembers.

Ours will be the only tandem, might as well be a flying saucer. Should be a pleasant evening in the high 70's.

Had to go back to 38 mm tires, the 25 mm Kevlar beaded Maxxis did not work out, every other ride we'd have a flat after hitting the hard edge of a good bump. Need to get back to the US to find some tire in the middle of these two sets, the Maxxis will have to go to my road bike.

[zonatandem]

Ola!
We run the Maxxis 25mm on our road tandem with good results (Detonnators or Re-Fuse folders). The Re-Fuse are a bit more tolerant to punctures. We live in the Sonoran Desert so we have more occasion for flats than most folks!

[Xanti Andia]

Ola!
We run the Maxxis 25mm on our road tandem with good results (Detonnators or Re-Fuse folders). The Re-Fuse are a bit more tolerant to punctures. We live in the Sonoran Desert so we have more occasion for flats than most folks!

Hello Zona.

Ours are Maxxis Columbiere, problem was not puncture from a foreign object intrussion, it was two little holes as if the tire had pinched the tube due to improper mounting, but after the third time with careful mounting I gave up. Every time it was when we hit the sharp edge of a bump. Maybe we are just to heavy, 310 lbs team with a heavy bike, 50 lbs with racks gadgets bags etc, maybe my gage does not read the presure and it was underinflated.

[zonatandem]

Columbieres are a bit on the light/racy side!
Sometimes running the lighter/narrower tire up front works fine (no offense to the stoker! . . . less weight on the front wheel) and run a Re-Fuse on the rear?

[TandemGeek]

So, how'd the weather guessers do....???

What they predicted:

Sun, Feb 11 = 51°/30°
Mon, Feb 12 = 53°/41°
Tue, Feb 13 = 48°/38°
Wed, Feb 14 = 58°/36°
Thu, Feb 15 = 55°/37°

What it was:

Sun, Feb 11 = 55°/25°
Mon, Feb 12 = 66°/34°
Tue, Feb 13 = 59°/44°
Wed, Feb 14 = 52°/25°
Thu, Feb 15 = 37°/21°

Whoops... missed again.

[Red Rider]

We've had sun & 70* or so the last three days. Today my BFF & I played hooky & got in a brisk 32 miler, the first half against a 15 mph (gusting to 25) headwind. Glad that the ride back, while uphill, featured a tailwind.

Plum trees & magnolia soulangiana are in flower, the hills are emerald green & brilliant -- it seems too early for spring but I'm not complaining. I know we'll have more rain & cold ahead, so I grab each ride-able day and am grateful.

[cornucopia72]

Hello Zona.

Ours are Maxxis Columbiere, problem was not puncture from a foreign object intrussion, it was two little holes as if the tire had pinched the tube due to improper mounting, but after the third time with careful mounting I gave up. Every time it was when we hit the sharp edge of a bump. Maybe we are just to heavy, 310 lbs team with a heavy bike, 50 lbs with racks gadgets bags etc, maybe my gage does not read the presure and it was underinflated.

+1 on not enough tire pressure as the suspect... make sure to calibrate that thumb gauge next time you get to use a nice floor pump...

[stokell]

New Year's Day; 8 kms out on Lake Ontario on the Leslie Street Spit looking back on Toronto

[djembob02]

We had a warm today, high of 55F. I planned ahead of time to meet a few of our usual group riders. 3 others joined us for our ride. We didn't do so well on the hills, but the flats were great. We drafted behind the singles and kept it at about 20mph for about 5 miles, that is fast for the 3 of us; in contrast our hill towards the end of the ride was at 4 mph. We saw about 500 geese, and enjoyed some fantastic weather. We'll be out again on Friday, 60 degrees F!