Fifty Plus (50+) - Already two days getting more warm isn't it?

Happy new year to you all.

I got back here 3 days ago after a great trip to UK and France. It was VERY cold there.

Took a chilly bike ride here yesterday (National Holiday for the religious festival called 'Ashura'). Dropped in to the shop for a loaf of bread and a pint of milk, and was welcomed back by the Keralese shopkeeper.

As you do, he asked about the weather. 'In Europe is very much too much very cold I think. Here is already two days getting more warm isn't it?'

He's right, you know. And his advice is right also - 'Better making the most because very soon is very too much warm'.

I hope it is for you too.

:)Yeah quite a warm spell it went from 12f to 14f while I was out walking and shovelling snow this morning :twitchy:

First day in two weeks I've ridden without leg warmers. Probably low 60's at 3 pm yesterday afternoon. We Californians have it very tough. Kudos to you cold weather riders.

:)Yeah quite a warm spell it went from 12f to 14f while I was out walking and shovelling snow this morning :twitchy:

The "man the weather is great here" posts from the sunbelt crowd around this time of year are as certain that Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Feb 2.

Yea- getting warm over here now. Didn't hit 32 till 4 pm today. Previous to that it hit a high of 36.

Funny thing about the UK- We are used to rain and coolish weather. But The wife must be getting old- She hasn't been in her pool since October.

That's wishful thinking to hope for a quick warm-up.

Wish it were true.

Our coldest days of the year are Jan 7-26. That's pretty much true for most of North America, with a couple days variation here and there. Takes a while for those slightly longer days and slightly higher sun, to overcome all of that cooling.

The "man the weather is great here" posts from the sunbelt crowd around this time of year are as certain that Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Feb 2.

:innocent:

It has been cold here in SoCal with lows in the 40's and highs only in the 60's. Wool base layer, wool tights, wool balaclava, wool socks . . . getting a bit better.

Rick / OCRR

It has been cold here in SoCal with lows in the 40's and highs only in the 60's. Wool base layer, wool tights, wool balaclava, wool socks . . . getting a bit better.

Rick / OCRR

I hear you on the wool, and counter your highs and lows...lows are high 30s and highs are low 40s. No sun, and heavy, low, wet fog. I upped the balaclava to alpaca. It's light, soft, warm, and breathes nicely.

Before I go out on a morning ride I remind myself how much harder it is to ride when it's 110* and the perspiration evaporates and leaves a salt crust on my body, and how enervating the heat is. Sometimes that works, and sometimes my inner wussy cries "Trainer! Trainer, please!"

So far it's 10:1 outdoors to trainer, because I love riding outside. Now a few degrees warmer will be most welcome, and I'll take what I can get.

The "man the weather is great here" posts from the sunbelt crowd around this time of year are as certain that Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Feb 2.

+1
It is warmer here today mid 20's all day...unfortunetly its snowing like the dickens...visibility down to a half mile at best and the winter storm isn't due till tonight to dump 6-8 inches more. I can see a traffic light 5way intersection out the back windows and every time I look out the red/blue lights are telling me of another fender bender...guess I'll walk to my yoga class at lunch time, instead of ride...its just not safe to be on the roads with these folks and the side routes I usually take are all ice since they haven't been plowed at all this week :twitchy:

I upped the balaclava to alpaca. It's light, soft, warm, and breathes nicely.


Hi Red,

Okay, (re: alpaca) I'm clueless and Google searches only led me to cozy looking alpaca animals (which I'd never even heard of . . . ), but no balaclavas made from alpaca fur (it is "fur" right?). I do like to be warm on cold rides though, so please advise!

Rick / OCRR

Hi Red,

Okay, (re: alpaca) I'm clueless and Google searches only led me to cozy looking alpaca animals (which I'd never even heard of . . . ), but no balaclavas made from alpaca fur (it is "fur" right?). I do like to be warm on cold rides though, so please advise!

Rick / OCRR

They're funny-looking animals and evidently very popular; I ride past several alpaca herds around here. I'm not sure it's called "fur" because it's more like wool than, say, chinchilla.

This is it:
http://www.cannondale.com/a_a/clothing/08/FW/model-7h405.html#mens_headwear

Warmest thing I've ever put under my helmet.

They're funny-looking animals and evidently very popular; I ride past several alpaca herds around here. I'm not sure it's called "fur" because it's more like wool than, say, chinchilla.
This is it:
http://www.cannondale.com/a_a/clothing/08/FW/model-7h405.html#mens_headwear
Warmest thing I've ever put under my helmet.

Thanks Red!

My favorite LBS is a Cannondale dealer, so I'll try to get them to order one for me. Maybe two, since that would keep me from losing one . . .

One thing though, it says "83% polyester / 17% Alpaca" whereas my wool balaclava is 100% wool (Joneswares), but maybe 17% is enough, i.e. 100% Alpaca might be too hot!

Anyway, thanks, I'll definitely try to find one.

Rick / OCRR

Thanks Red!


One thing though, it says "83% polyester / 17% Alpaca" whereas my wool balaclava is 100% wool (Joneswares), but maybe 17% is enough, i.e. 100% Alpaca might be too hot!

Anyway, thanks, I'll definitely try to find one.

Rick / OCRR

An Alpaca is very much like a Llama to look at- but smaller. We have an Alpaca farm in our area and get plenty of accidents on the road running by the farm. Stupid Tourists looking at the things instead of the road.

http://www.ilovealpacas.com/


The Alpaca's are bred for their wool and it is much prized within the "Craft" set over here. No smell- waterproof and warm.

I have a Ski Mask that is 100% man made Fibre and I can tell you that is warm. If it had a % age of natural fibre in it- I don't think I it would be wearable. Too hot.

Thanks Red!

My favorite LBS is a Cannondale dealer, so I'll try to get them to order one for me. Maybe two, since that would keep me from losing one . . .

One thing though, it says "83% polyester / 17% Alpaca" whereas my wool balaclava is 100% wool (Joneswares), but maybe 17% is enough, i.e. 100% Alpaca might be too hot!

Anyway, thanks, I'll definitely try to find one.

Rick / OCRR

I think 100% alpaca would be too expensive.

Either way, this is a fine garment. I'm very happy to have purchased it.