March is the cruelest month
#1
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
March is the cruelest month
I always feel like I’m starting over to rebuild my fitness during March, even after staying active during the winter.
Maybe it’s just cabin fever. Or maybe it’s because I’m lifting weights again for the first time in five years.
…or it could be the heavy snowfall that will keep me from riding for several days...
Maybe it’s just cabin fever. Or maybe it’s because I’m lifting weights again for the first time in five years.
…or it could be the heavy snowfall that will keep me from riding for several days...
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#2
Spring is here and has been most of the winter. We have a couple cool days in the 40s then mid to upper 60s are forecast through the next two weeks. Add to that the change to DST and it makes for nice afternoon riding.
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,158
Likes: 1,743
From: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Bikes: Canyon Aeroad, CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX, Guru steel & Guru Photon
My "solution" has been to watch what I eat and do an hour a day on the spin bike at my gym. I also lift weights 2-3 times a week. I average about 4-5 days a week at the gym. When the weather becomes cycling weather here in eastern CT I'll find out if it actually is some sort of solution.
#8
March is a great month particularly seeing and hearing hummingbirds courtship!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO3sXEky4WE
It is also spring with warmer weather and beautiful rides--not so good for hay fever unfortunately!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO3sXEky4WE
It is also spring with warmer weather and beautiful rides--not so good for hay fever unfortunately!
#9
When I saw the title, I thought it would be about how all the early season tornados are ravaging the country. That has been dreadful.
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"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#10
I need more cowbell.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,182
Likes: 0
From: Reno, Nevada
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
That's sure true. I'm hopeful all our 50+ cycling buddies (and everyone else) in those areas are okay. It's terrible!
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2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
#12
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
First day of spring and today is the 4Th. Our winter drought broke today and the wind came from the North.
One thing to be thankful for is that we do not get the Extremes of weather that certain parts of the US are having.
One thing to be thankful for is that we do not get the Extremes of weather that certain parts of the US are having.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#13
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"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#14
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
That Gulf stream has changed it 's route a bit in the last 10 years or so and now runs more North than it used to. We drag in the cold air from Siberia In the winter now. And wind strength seems to have increased a lot at all times of the year.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#15
Move South(USA). Once spring hits, it's here to stay
. One thing I love about moving here some 18 years ago. Spring means spring, not the "end of winter". I'm all too knowledgeable about snows in March. Can be huge, wet crap.
And now that I have a mountain bike, I can pick which bike I want to ride, depending on cool air or.................WIND!
. One thing I love about moving here some 18 years ago. Spring means spring, not the "end of winter". I'm all too knowledgeable about snows in March. Can be huge, wet crap.And now that I have a mountain bike, I can pick which bike I want to ride, depending on cool air or.................WIND!
Last edited by bigbadwullf; 03-05-12 at 02:21 PM.
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Northern Michigan checking in here. We just got dumped on with 2 feet of snow Saturday and today as the sun came up it was a -15deg snow palace. March is our mixed bag month like many others here experience but this one came in like an uninvited brat.
But then, we dont get twisters or hurricanes. It's all melting this week, starting tomorrow. When it hits 50, I'm out there.
But then, we dont get twisters or hurricanes. It's all melting this week, starting tomorrow. When it hits 50, I'm out there.
#17
Here's my take on the "tornado thing". Keep in mind I live in "tornado country". It's become a 'media thing'. Many people want to see the destruction so they show it. As for the number of them "increasing", my take is the number REPORTED is increasing. With our ability to communicate and keep data now, the number will increase but it is because that is the number that is being recorded. In the old days no one knew where tornadoes hit because the population was smaller(they weren't seen) and the number reported was far less. That doesn't mean there are necessarily more tornadoes now. As with anything nowadays, it's the record keeping that is increasing. You have to keep this in mind AND the fact the media wants you to watch, so they will tell you anything you want(they want) you to hear
Last edited by bigbadwullf; 03-06-12 at 09:19 AM.
#18
Sore saddle cyclist
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 13
From: Eugene, OR
Bikes: Road, touring and mountain
Move to the old south?.......yeah, no way!
I'm in Moab, UT this week and next, mountain bike this week, then the Skinny Tire Festival starts on Saturday with 4 days of beautiful rides in the canyonlands of the Colorado River. I always look forward to March.
I'm in Moab, UT this week and next, mountain bike this week, then the Skinny Tire Festival starts on Saturday with 4 days of beautiful rides in the canyonlands of the Colorado River. I always look forward to March.
#19
I need more cowbell.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,182
Likes: 0
From: Reno, Nevada
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
Here's my take on the "tornado thing". Keep in mind I live in "tornado country". It's become a 'media thing'. Many people want to see the destruction so they show it. As for the number of them "increasing", my take is the number REPORTED is increasing. With our ability to communicate and keep data now, the number will increase but it is because that is the number that is being recorded. In the old days no one knew where tornadoes hit because the population was smaller(they weren't seen) and the number reported was far less. That doesn't mean there are necessarily more tornadoes now. As with anything nowadays, it's the record keeping that is increasing. You have to keep this in mind AND the fact the media wants you to watch, so they will tell you anything you want(they want) you to hear 

__________________
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
#20
Dharma Dog
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, Canada
Bikes: Rodriguez Shiftless street fixie with S&S couplers, Kuwahara tandem, Trek carbon, Dolan track
Here in southwestern British Columbia, March does "roar in like a lion and go out like a lamb" most years. We got a bit of really wet and slippery snow on leap day, but since then the temps have been getting gradually warmer, although the lows are a bit lower this week. In March at the 49th parallel, we gain about 2 minutes of daylight at each end of the day (4 or 5 minutes more daylight each day) before we get the really dramatic increases in daylight in April. It's amusing that some people want to head south, but the closer you get to the equator, the closer sunrise and sunset get to 6 am/6 pm. The further north you go, the more daylight you get in the summer. Here in Vancouver, I'm out riding in broad daylight at around 9 pm in June. Of course, we pay for this in the winter when I'm riding to work in darkness at both ends of the day!
Luis
Luis
#22
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Wind is the tough thing about March. Temps are warming a lot in NC and days are getting longer, but the wind is almost a constant. Yesterday we had gusts over 40 mph in many places.
#23
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
#25
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
March just turned nice for us. We've had a 68deg swing in the last 48hrs. Monday was -12deg. The snow is going buh-bye and the Trek is getting antsy.







