Warm Woods, Cold Road

Went down to Mohican for a ride this afternoon.  It has been a while since riding a mountain bike and I chose the Karate Monkey for this ride.  I thought an eight mile out and back would be a good ride and would fit within the family schedule of the afternoon.

The temperature was right around freezing and it was windy, but I figured it wouldn't be too hard to stay comfortable in the woods.  I put on some layers, loaded the bike onto the back of the car, and headed to the trail head.

I was soon rolling out of the parking lot and into the woods.  Oh yes, the first left hand corner to start the ride... wham!  I managed to drastically oversteer myself onto my face and crash within the first 45 seconds of the ride.  Maybe I forgot how nimble the monkey rides.  I jumped back on and pretended nothing happened.

Leaves down but no snow today.

About 3 miles in I stopped and let some air out of my tires.  Ahhh... so much better.  I was getting bounced around and knew I had a few too many pounds of pressure.  About 8 miles in I reached the road and was supposed to turn back.  Instead, I talked myself into a quick descent to the covered bridge and climb up Mount Doom.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.

The downhill to the covered bridge was cold!  With no pedaling and a constant wind in my face I was chilled by the time I reached the bottom.  No worries, the climbing will heat me up.  And it did.  Two times I stalled the singlespeed on uphill corners.  I guess my legs were not ready for it but it was a good workout.

Before long I reached the second trail head and scooted over to SR97 for a ride back to the car.  I then learned what cold really felt like.  Despite zipping up and tightening wrist cuffs and hunkering down, I was frozen by the time I reached the car.  The fast downhills on the road took their toll.

Blasting the heat on the drive home and a hot McD's coffee brought me back to comfortable.  It was a good ride for this time of year, especially on the singlespeed.  I think I will feel this one tomorow.

Gravel & Mud Along the Rail Trail

With cross bike on the car rack I met Ryan in Fredericksburg for a ride.  The forecast for today called for temperatures approaching 60 degrees.  Choosing clothes was a challenge, it just didn't seem right to head out with so few layers in January.

Ellen tests out my clothing choices.

We jumped on the rail trail and headed south.  At a road crossing after Holmesville we left the trail behind in search of some quality Holmes County township roads, from the point of view of a cyclocross tire.

Not so much a gravel road,

it was more so a muddy road.

 

The roads zigged, the roads zagged, and our bikes were getting dirty.  Perfect.  We linked together some previously unknown roads and made our way into Millersburg.  The run into town ended up being on a state route as one of the township roads we intended to use was a road no more.  I guess the map needs updated.

A good road for fenders.

We rode our way back to the rail trail and headed north.  Along the way we had both shed some layers, it was feeling warm.  In Holmesville we once again detoured from the trail trail, but this time to the west instead of east, in search of more unpaved roads.  I think the sloppiest road of the ride was discovered in the final few miles, and this road made a post ride hose-down of the bike necessary.  We found some good ones.

Enjoying the cross bikes.

Motivated or Not?

Hey, I should head out for a ride when the kids take their nap this afternoon.  It looks sunny out there, but I bet it's cold.  What's the temperature? Oh yeah, the thermometer in the back window quit working.  What does Weather.com say?

Sunny, 30 degrees, 11 mph wind, feels like 20.

Aw, that's colder than I thought it would be.  Maybe I'll just pass on a ride, I've been to the gym at lunch the past three days in a row anyhow.

But... if I layered up good I should be able to stay warm.  I've done it before.  I could ride down onto the gravel roads in the swamps again, that would be scenic with the snow on the ground and ice around.  It's really bright out, but I could swap my glasses over to the grey, polarized lenses.

I know it's muzzleloader hunting weekend and there will probably be a bunch of hunters down in the swamps.  Maybe it's better not to go, and it's nice and warm in here.

The kids are in bed for naps.  Quick to the basement, there's no bad weather only bad clothing choices!

Heavy socks, heavy tights, shoes, over boots, base layer t-shirt, base layer long sleeve shirt, wool jersey, wind jacket, heavy hat, heavy gloves, pump the tires, swap the sunglass lenses... I'm getting hot in here.  Water bottle filled, snacks and cell phone packed.  Should I take the camera?  Sure, I will probably only pull it out if something looks interested, don't want frozen fingers.

Roll out!

About 35 pictures later... here are some highlights:

Nice sky.  Get moving to stay warm.

 Snow covered and icy in the swamps.

 It's a bit nippy out, but I'm warm.

 The roads are clear, just full of cinders.

 Heading back into the swamp,

having more fun than I look.

 Slippery fun.  I was never too cold.

Post ride hot chocolate and snack after a

great ride.  Why did I try to talk myself out of it?