woody_1029

to go out on a 5AM ride for the first this year

Ever since March, when the weather started warming up, I've been dying to go out on an early morning ride. I'm sick of riding on the trainer. So, last night, I decide tomorrow AM is it. I'm going. Check the forecast. OK. No rain. Predicted temp of about 50. OK. Pump up tires, check my lights and set out clothes. All set.

Get up, dress, look outside -- ****! Foggy. Decide I'm going anyway. It was anything but 50. More like 40. Damp. Foggy. About half way through the ride, water is dripping off my frigging helmet and I'm wishing I had put on my winter riding jacket and long finger gloves.

But, I made it. And glad I did it. I'm all the tougher for it!

DropDeadFred

nothing like a little HTFU after a your morning coffee.

In related news...not really, I'm taking today off from riding to rest (so I say) and I'm going to waffle house this morning...to increase the size of my now non existent roadie gut!

krobinson103

5am is the only time I get to ride. 6 or 7 days a week I'm out for 2 hours or so while the family sleeps. Actually works great as I can exercise before breakfast and maximise my training/weight loss potential. Its also the only time when the cycle trials aren't jammed with traffic of all sorts. You can really move along at a decent speed when utility cyclist riding at 5kph weaving along making it impossible to pass isn't there. Then, if you do pass its a possie of walkers, then the pack of dogs, then the group ride moving at 10kph slower than I want to go...

DropDeadFred

^^^they actually say eating first jump starts the metabolism and gets you burning weight faster. Everybody has their own opinion on this, but it makes sense, eat within 30 minutes of waking up and you'll be doing yourself a favor.

woody_1029

Yeah -- x1! I wish I could have HTFU. I never really did warm up and legs felt like concrete tree stumps. I wish I could have taken today off. The temp this afternoon is supposedly going to be around 70-75 and sunny. I could have started on my roadie tan!

5AM is the only time during the week I get to exercise also. It took a while to get used to getting up then and working out. I've been strength training and riding on the trainer through the winter. I've been lifting 3 days a week and riding 3 or 4. Once in a while I would go for a run on the weekend just to get out. Running is really not my thing though. Now, I'm going to lift 2x a week, and ride 4 or 5 and I'm really looking forward to early morning rides when the weather is a little nicer.

Mike F

4am for me when I have to work. Very little traffic and I get to watch the tweekers scurry like roaches when the sun rises.

ColinL

I've done this several times and it sucks.

The problem is the weather forecast. You've got to look again in the morning, especially in spring and fall.

On monday night I set out all my crap to commute 9 miles to work on my bike. it was supposed to be 45 and a 15 mph north wind. I put on the gear I knew was right for those conditions except as I was going out the door I noted it was actually 55 and there wasn't any wind.

I baked like a lobster. It was horrible. Why didn't I change clothes or remove a few layers? I was trying to get to work on time (and I succeeded), but I was drenched in sweat when I arrived and it was a miserable ride with clothing at least 10 degrees too warm.

I've done the 10 degrees too cold thing you did, as well.

rangerdavid

Rule #5

mpath

Oh, don't get me started about weather "forecasting".

OP, good for you that you stuck to your guns and HTFU. Vacationing in Hawaii a few weeks ago I ran or rode everyday at dawn because the weather was just perfect. Since getting back to the Pacific northwest, it's been 3-4 times a week. *sigh*

rdtompki

I'm also looking forward to early am rides, but since I'm in California, working on Central time, my window is limited. Did an evening ride yesterday and the weather was spectacular. It' great to see a real swing into spring.

on the path

Yup. It turns out that the majority of overweight people don't eat breakfast.

woody_1029

Thanks mpath! Now I'll feel better eating the extra cheese & sausage pizza and drinking my 6 pack of Harp while watching the NHL playoffs

It felt like the pacific northwest here this morning.

Sir Real

..or exercise.

RT

5:00 a.m. is when I leave for my daily commute to work. I sympathize with the fickle weather part fo' sho'. I have learned to wear warmer than is warranted, carry an extra set of polyprop glove liners (always wear long fingered gloves) in my jersey pocket and a balaclava in case I am off the other direction. No need to bring a suitcase, but what you need can fit in your pockets.

DropDeadFred

no, the overweight people eat too much breakfast and do nothing but sit all day until lunch then sit until dinner time...

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/l...-eat-breakfast

https://www.fitsugar.com/Best-Time-Da...rself-18292661

Seattle Forrest

Meh. At least you didn't get attacked by a leopard and have to defend yourself using your bike.

https://www.metro.co.uk/weird/855295-...-with-his-bike

woody_1029

WOW! The only furry things I saw were a couple of baby bunnies and flattened 'coon, thank goodness.