Tonight was one of those rides where you go out with low expectations, but it turns out better than you thought. I ate a baggie of fig newton cookies for lunch (forgot my loaf of bread). After work, I halfheartedly started a popular ~25mi loop that has a long gradual ascent in the middle, and ended up running my heart rate up to the mid-180s (yikes, and I'm 42), maxing at 190. Having accomplished that without dropping dead, I then knocked out another fairly good climb and jammed for home.

http://app.strava.com/rides/4357534

Studded-tire mountain bike, less weight than usual, and less air drag too (only one pannier, and no pogies). 27 miles, 16.3mph average. Oh, and it was snowing lightly and 32°F/0C.