Why bother?
 

There's gotta be something inside us that does this to us...makes us crazy over numbers.

Understand two things about this subject first of all;

1. It's getting very cold here and the end of my outdoor season is near once again
2. I hate the cold...as big a cold-weather-riding weenie as there is

Okay, as it turns out I find myself driven to try to make it to a new personal best for season miles this year. Last year I did 4,152, meaning that before the snow hits I would have to ride 209.1 miles yet this year.

And while that may not sound like a lot, it actually is considering the circumstances.
This is a very busy time of year at work for me because of charity work and other annual projects. I can only ride mornings, when it is the coldest of the day.

I take no joy away from a ride like yesterday's. I'm just getting exercise and counting off the miles in 26-mile chunks because that's all I have time to do each day that the weather cooperates enough.

Ever hear of the Edmund Fitzgerald?
Today is the anniversary...and that whole thing about the gales of November around here is true...and they ain't warm!

Yet, as unattractive as the weather may be...as cramped as my schedule may be...as little enjoyment as I may get from riding when I can in this...somehow it still calls me. Somehow I have this record in the back of my mind. I track it on my training log. I think about it first thing in the morning, wondering if it'll be possible to ride.

So who am I kidding. I don't like doing it, yet I do it and it's all I think about?

How cold are we talkin' Hip? 40's? The roads are in good shape, no? I'm not a big fan of cold either but I've learned to really enjoy riding in the 40's. Upper 30's aren't so bad either.

1. Take the computer off of your bike and carefully lay it on the garage floor.

2. Hit it with a sledge hammer.

3. Now go for a ride that you estimate to be "about 209 miles". It should only take about an hour or so.

Problem solved.

^If only it were that simple!

As for temps....yeah, low 40's. But it's the north wind at 12-15+ most days that bites. I left at 10:30 a.m. one day this week and it was 36 degrees...40 by the time I got back with that wind. And yes, the roads are clear. Once any snow/ice hits I'm done...can't take any added chances with the hip and all.

I know you like to go out and hammer it on your rides. Try slowing down a bit and enjoy the last of the season. It's the weekend stretch your ride a little.

and toughen up.;)

....well, you're right about the weekend part. Some errands with Mrs. Hip later this morning, a wedding tonight...but in-between is some quality time with my Klein. I should be able to get 35 or more in today. Clouds and 47 the forecast.

If that's the case then you might be ready for the 12-step program.

Step 1. We admitted that we were powerless over bicycling and that our lives had become unmanageable.

I'm in retro....perhaps you need to post all 12 steps now.

You shouldn't ride when it becomes a chore that you don't really want to do. Psychological conditioning working the way that it does, this is a sure recipe for eventually just abandoning the sport. There are other things we can do during the winter months, and there are even some real advantages to being forced to take a break from it for a few months. You can keep your overall cardiorespiratory fitness level with cross-training, and then when spring comes, it doesn't take long to get the old legs used to pedaling again.

Aw sure ya can. I've had 3 replacements and put studs on in the winter. If the roads get too bad I don't clip in, I use the platform side but that's besides the point of the thread isn't it?

I understand being the slave to numbers. Get on a trainer and count those miles if you have to.

38F here and I'm going to head out into a headwind....but it will be great on the return!

On the other hand...I've always liked Gordon Lightfoot.

Is he Native Canadian? ;)

209 = 1 weekend, two max...you can do it. Then never do this silly stuff again.

Get a Rivendell! By Grant law you can not worry about the numbers. Feel the force!





Excuse me while i go remove the computer from my Atlantis... :o

209, that is it? just get a hold of dave and ride with him. he is a riding machine on his way to 10,000. later.

I ride daily all winter in temps that range from 15ºF-40ºF. It's very windy here too. The only deal breaker are snowy/icy roads, but I often hit them on my knobby tired MTB. Where there's a will there's a way.

Got a solution for you buddy, after things slow down a bit, but before the end of the year, pack the bike, or heck just your saddle, pedals and gear, and fly down to Texas for a long weekend. 209 miles can be done with 4 days of riding fairly easily, if you don't take a day off in the middle and catch a late flight out that's only a 4 day weekend!

+1
I don't enjoy riding in the cold, so I generally don't in the late fall or winter. However I enjoy racing so in the early spring I will ride in the cold to prepare for the upcoming race season. Late fall / early winter is time for me to put away the bike and cross train for a month or two before breaking out the trainer.

It's supposed to get almost to 60 this part of Wisconsin tomorrow & Monday. I'm down for at least 50 miles. Heck, I'm even North of you, you might get over 60.

Trust me, we'll get at least a half dozen days nearing 60 for the rest of the year. Maybe another half dozen that feel mild in the 40's & 50's. There's plenty of riding left. The real monster is January & Febuary. It sucks when the daily highs don't get above zero Fahrenheit.

Yup. That happens to anyone who is a true cycling lover. You are passionate cyclist, live with it, it's fun. ;)

Well, I must sympathize with you on the gotta get it done side, I challenged myself to do 10,000 this year and it became quite an obsession. I did make it, but it was tough (I will never try it again) and I must add that, looking back I'm glad I didn't give up.

You said that you can ride 26 miles in a day, weather permitting, that's just 8 days and you will be done. Even in Wisc. I would think between now and Dec 31 you can find 8 days of good weather. Go for it!!

That's my plan and how I have been breaking it down on my log.
Just did 40 today, so I'm down to seven days before the end of the year that I have to get out there to get the record. I SHOULD be able to do it, IF, and it's a big if, the snow stays away long enough.

Oh...and congrats on ten large! Awesome.

Thanks for the props! I'm rooting for ya!

Morning commutes have sucked majorly lately. Low 30's with the "real feel" in the 20's. It's allright, but it takes me a few hours after the morning ride to warm back up.

Beats riding a trainer though.

Math and momentum are on your side! You'll find sufficient suitable days between now and December 31st to achieve your goal. Keep the faith and go for it!