Crazydad

It has been a horrible few months. Since the beginning of the year I have been on the bike 15 times for a total of 238 miles. It has been crazy at work and the weather has not been cooperating much. As a result, I have gained about 14lbs since the beginning of Dec.

The biggest challenge for me has been the weather. In Jan and Feb, I just couldn't get myself out of bed that early when the temps were in the 30's to low 40's. I know to a lot of you that is not cold, but it makes me miserable; even with my cold gear on. Being born and raised in Texas, I would much rather ride in 105F heat than below 60F. And when it hasn't been too cold, it has been raining. I am thankful for the rain though, we desperately need it.

Anyway, this morning it was in the 40's with a thunderstorm when we went to church at 9. When we got out at 12, the sun was out and it was warming up nicely (75F). My girls and I walked to the park and played for a couple of hours and after we got back I hit the road for the first time in over 2 weeks. I can tell I have lost a step, but I feel great! Now I just hope the cold is gone for good and I really need to get back into the habit of getting up early to ride so I can re-lose this 14lbs and get ready for a MTB race in April and the Shiner GASP in May.

TrojanHorse

3 hours in church!

I guess they sing ALL the verses there.

I hear you about the cold though... if it's hot, just drink more water. If it's cold, you have to buy stuff. Bah.

tk4790

I feel your pain friend! I've been waiting for this rain to clear too. Can't stand the cold either but now that we are on daylight savings time it'll be easier to ride after work. Hoping to be ready for at least a short ride at the end of the month in Salado.

tergal

That's nothing i spend 9 hours at work.... no wait i get paid for that

@crazydad those first rides after a long break suck . and they can hurt. Be careful and ride safe

jmccain

Winter is my favorite time of the year to ride. I'm sick of the triple digit heat and don't mind a jacket and tights.

magohn

Ive not been on a ride over 40 degrees in 4 months - and I ride at least 3x a week

I too was frustrated by the cold/rain here in Seattle but came to the realization that its not going to change so either embrace it or do something else. Ive had weeks where my helmet cant dry fast enough between rides becasue of the constant soakings

Myosmith

Below 60 ?!?!? That's a good day up here in northern MN. I've been riding at -10F. The last two days have been in the 40s and I've been in a long-sleeve jersy and long pants for 40 mile rides in a stiff breeze. Beautiful weather, hard to crack a sweat. It was in the 50s today and I couldn't ride and it's driving me nuts. At 60 all you need is a short sleeve baselayer under your jersey and good socks.

To be fair, I think temps over 100 suck. It doesn't stop me, just don't like it.

chefisaac

Is commuting to work or perhaps partially commuting to work an option for you? Great way to get riding in.

And to get used to what you call "cold" (at least for TX), have you tired layering? Works out great.

chefisaac

It was 60 the other day here. That was shorts and short sleeve shirt riding weather.

RichardGlover

Texas 'layering' for the cold usually means a shirt AND shorts.

chefisaac

Must suck when it is hot and you have to shed layers.

vesteroid

I'm the other way, if it's cold I can simply put on more layers....but if it's too hot, well there are laws against that in public places

Crazydad

That is why I love TX. I can ride all day long in the heat. Fortunately it has warmed up nicely this week. Lows in the mid 60's highs in the 80's.

I am blessed to be able to work from home 90% of the time. So I have been sneaking out for rides around lunchtime when it is not raining.