New Roads Traveled

I've been using the trainer 5 days a week and currently, the weekends are the only time I have to get any extended riding in. That will probably change as I gear up, or mile up, in April. This past weekend I did a quick lookup for rides over 50 miles in Waxhaw, NC. I found the route and quickly printed out some road names and directional turns I needed to make. A couple times I found my self stopping to check that I hadn't missed a road. Lessons on this ride were God provides the direction we need when we ask Him. Believe it or not, I had to turn on Tom Green RD. When I came up to it, there were two roads with the same name (Both left turns about 100 yards apart). I stopped and was going to head down a road where I would know it would end up, and then I prayed. Lord, you know which road I need to head down. Then I saw a marker spray painted on the road from a previous tour group. Thank you Jesus! I also realized after the ride that it is much harder riding alone. I had ridden 44 miles with a friend 2 weeks earlier and the legs weren't as sore. This time, the jabbing pain lasted about an hour after the ride. Just as Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs, it's neat to know others are praying for us and for this "Going the Distance" ride.

How do you ride in this stuff?

Up until this year, I had never ridden in below-freezing temperatures. I usually waited until the first of May to start riding. In Michigan, road biking is, at best, only a 6-month sport. With the JAARS to Orlando trip being only 60 days away, I've decided that I'd better get on my SEVEN (brand name of bike) and start doing some serious miles. So last Sunday I mounted my fi'zi:k Arione saddle and started down the road. Snow banks were clearly visible on the sides of the road as well as in parking lots, creeks were still frozen over, but it was sunny and 24°F. I decided to go for a short 20-miler but by the time I had 5 miles in, I decided that since I was going to have to turn around yet and pedal back INTO the wind, that maybe only a couple more miles would be in order. By the time I got home I had been on the coldest ride of my life. I was wearing 3 layers on top, 2 layers on my legs, 2 sets of gloves, booties over my shoes, and 2 head coverings. And oh yes, sunglasses to boot! The wind chill factor was 0°F and with me traveling about 14 mph, probably colder than that. My fingers were balled up in my hands inside my gloves and my feet were frozen (I may actually have suffered a bit of frost bite). I never shifted gears once. I couldn't. When I got home, I hit the hot tub and just sat there for about 30 minutes trying to thaw out. I have a good cycling buddy who says, "There is no such thing as a bad ride, only bad clothing." I finally understand and believe.
I hit the cycle shop today and stocked up on cold weather gear. I should be better prepared the next time. Stay tuned. 60 days, huh?