It was a pothole-banging, slush-slinging, ice-slipping, mud-splattering, gravel-spitting, sun-glaring, snowmelt-soaking mess of a 30 miles.




....and I loved every dangerous, sloppy minute of it! :D

i froze but i was outside!

I haven't stopped riding outside. It's not the most fun you can have, but it's a whole hell of a lot better than riding on the trainer for hours on end. I'm pretty hardened now. I've got a story that can make those guys that withdrew from the ToC from hypothermia look like kids.

Managed to get almost 25 miles in this weekend in 30 degree + temps. Most of the paved trails i rode on still had some snow and slush on it but was passable.

I put in 30 yesterday. Would have loved to go riding again today, but felt that it may still be too early in the season politically to make such a move.

A few of us in Madison took a nice 20 miler today, lots of slush and ruts to contend with- but worth it to be on a bike outside (and not just going to work!)

...another 2-5 inches of snow predicted for tomorrow. Aaaarrrgghhhh.

I rode outside every day so far this year. I guess I didn't get the email that we weren't supposed to.

I rode outside every day so far this year. I guess I didn't get the email that we weren't supposed to.

^^No e-mail.
That's great for you.

I know people who do also.

I'm just not one of them. One wrong fall on a fake ceramic hip (see avatar) and I'm in a heap of trouble, as in a ride in a nice vehicle with flashing lights on top...emergency surgery...no work for a month...rehab for several months. You get the idea.

I would do more riding in dicey winter conditions if all that wasn't hanging over my head. Not worth the risk now.

I rode outside every day so far this year. I guess I didn't get the email that we weren't supposed to.

Maybe your mailer is broken. Mine came in the first day it dropped below 40.

One wrong fall on a fake ceramic hip (see avatar) ...For the longest time I thought it was an odd seatpost. I never looked at it long enough, just glances. :D

Yeah, I'm wimping out during this iffy weather right now. It was different when it was just snowing and cold -- they would plow and salt the path. Now, they just kind of let it all melt... which freezes overnight. :(

^^No e-mail.
That's great for you.

I know people who do also.

I'm just not one of them. One wrong fall on a fake ceramic hip (see avatar) and I'm in a heap of trouble, as in a ride in a nice vehicle with flashing lights on top...emergency surgery...no work for a month...rehab for several months. You get the idea.

I would do more riding in dicey winter conditions if all that wasn't hanging over my head. Not worth the risk now.

I fully expect to need a new hip and/or knee within the next 10 years. I hope I do half as well with it as you have with yours. :)

Maybe your mailer is broken. Mine came in the first day it dropped below 40.

yikes... If 40 was my cutoff point, I think I would have ridden once since the end of November. That's too sad to think about. How do you cope with stress when you're not riding?

We buy stuff and get fat. Kind of like.....

We buy stuff and get fat. Kind of like.....

No money and I'm already fat! So it's cycling for me, and walking when it's super bad out. And eating, obviously.

Hipcycler, I work near the Oak Leaf trail and it looks icy, when you rode the other day are you constantly dodging patches of ice?

Guess I never try it this time of year I do not think I could keep from sliding and falling.

I steer clear of trails at this time of year. I stick to roads. They are mostly clear if it has been a few days since the last snowfall.

this sunday 47 and 30% chance of rain, to me thats the weather i dream about

Hipcycler, I work near the Oak Leaf trail and it looks icy, when you rode the other day are you constantly dodging patches of ice?

Guess I never try it this time of year I do not think I could keep from sliding and falling.

Remember, the Oak Leaf TRAIL is actually a combination of paths and roads. The paths are crazy with snow...I was on portions of the trail that are actually roads. The path portions, well, that's where I took detours on roads instead. And yes, I was dodging ice patches and pot holes on the roads as well.

this sunday 47 and 30% chance of rain, to me thats the weather i dream about

...adding, (For this time of year)....because weather I dream about is 80's, no wind and just a tad of humidity...the good 'ole summertime.

47?
Really?

If it's not pouring I'm out there baby!

So I figure this is as good a time as any to hop in and let some of the mke riders that I've moved into their fair city. I -can't- imagine riding outside in anything but 50*+ weather...you guys are all crazy!

In Honolulu, we had a ride every Wednesday night which was a total impromptu ride based on who showed up, and who was leading. Is there anything like that here in mke? I'm looking forward to riding here, but for now my rollers are keeping me company :)

lol in my book anything not freezing is good, but if it gets to 47 like they said i may be able to get some distance in

lol in my book anything not freezing is good, but if it gets to 47 like they said i may be able to get some distance in

+1
My cutoff is 32. It has to be above 32 and the roads have to be predominantly clear for me to even think about riding outside at this time of year.

Last weekend and the weekend before I was riding in the teens and 20s and I am not that tough. It is all about the gear. With the right gear it can be pretty comfortable.

lol in my book anything not freezing is good, but if it gets to 47 like they said i may be able to get some distance in

Dude, if it got to 47 where I live I'd be out in a frigging tri-top and shorts. Hell, I might ride naked. We've had snow on the ground here for 89 straight days -- we'll probably hit 120 straight before I see a blade of grass -- and it hasn't reached 42 since Thanksgiving.

That said, I have gotten a lot of outdoor rides in of late and gotten my mojo back despite really crappy road conditions ... but buying that warm-weather condo and stashing a bike there is starting to look like a great option.

I've been getting the itch to ride myself, but ever since they started running out of salt it has been a pretty bumpy ride throughout Waukesha County. I wish I had a beater bike - maybe with studded tires, that I could take out. Unfortunately I gave my old hybrid to my son and he kindly donated it to some thief around UW Milwaukee. So I'll wait for a full thaw - maybe April.:(

Hey aaa, did you snap my photo heading home from class at 11:30 pm last night in the snow and post it as your avatar? That's identical to my blizzard getup, right down to the helmut color. But my goggles are more grayish... thank you, Lab Safety Supply. Don't leave home without 'em in Chicago- you never know when it's going to dump something nasty on you. Gotta say I wimped out and stuck my bike on the Halsted bus rack as it pulled up behind me (I waited for it to stop first... heh), but only because I'd been at school since 6am, and had to be back here this morning. Urgh. Was rather enjoying the ride though- If you're properly dressed, overheating is more of a problem than being cold, except for the fingers and toeses- need some mittens to go over my heavy swix gloves (campmor clearance find). Wool socks and long johns are a must! I used to hate winters in chicago, but really just didn't know how to dress for them. Riding through the snow at night is downright peaceful- so quiet and "swooshy"... although I can't WAIT 'till June gets here. I am a southern transplant, and like my weather hot hOt hot! Till then, keep sloggin' through the slush...