a little more on that subject

March 4, 2025

Okay... while I didn't exactly do no riding, it was pretty minimal.

This is why I've had some difficulty training:

Just to see what it would be like, I went for a ride one day when it was -3 F (-19.4 C). I've always said that there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing, and it proved to be true. I overdressed, and by the time I got back I was drenched in sweat.

There are ice crystals on my eyelashes as a result of my breath coming out from the top of my mask and freezing on them.

-5F = -20.5C..... who wants to go riding at night anyway? (plus there's that wind chill factor of -20F/-28.8)

6F= minus14.4C .... the sun makes it feel several degrees warmer

-13F = -25C........ ehhh, no worries... it'll get up to -4 by noon.

I'd ride today, but I don't like to ride on snow or ice.

This is a winter in which I wished I was a Tough Guy like Greg Garceau, who is almost immune to cold weather.

The cold just kept coming and coming, relentless.

It's been a brutal winter. About the time the temperatures finally started warming up, Heather and I went to Arizona to visit her family and stayed there for almost two weeks. I did borrow a bike and went riding when I could, but wasn't able to do any extended rides of longer than 15 miles because I didn't want to neglect my family duties. ("Nice to see everyone after so long. Bye! I'll be back in four hours!")

Then, back to Iowa. Tuesday, the last day listed on this picture, is the day I leave for Key West.

I was able to get in a few short rides before I left, but my total mileage for the month of March is less than fifty miles. At this point I'm woefully out of shape.

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Kelly IniguezPlease consider extending your Arizona trip, and dipping down to Tucson next winter. We'd love to see you!
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3 weeks ago

Karen PoretAND I am “complaining” about our “cold” temperatures here of 47?! Mind you, I swim outdoors in this, but the pool is 76 degrees. What a wuss I am; I even get raynaud’s and chilblains on my toes in these temperatures. Guess I really was not meant to live in the Midwest or Eastern Seaboard.

Enjoy the humidity in FLA and watch out for the alligators on the trail :)
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3 weeks ago

Suzanne GibsonTo Karen PoretRaynaud's and chilblains, me too!
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3 weeks ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesNot a wuss, just sensible. Hope your trip goes well, and the weather is a bit more conducive to riding. We are all "geared up" to follow along.
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3 weeks ago

Rich FrasierI just could never live in a place like where you are. I just couldn't. I admire the fact that you even step outside your front door. Never mind cycling in that weather!
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3 weeks ago

Bill ShaneyfeltI hate riding in below 55 degrees, but the need for cardiac aerobic exercise keeps me going. Bad enough here in Dayton, OH with a couple weeks near zero and some icy/refreeze snowpack stomped into horrible seat smashers and stupid swerving ATV tracks that send the rear wheel off to the side as it attempts to pass the handlebars while I have my outrigger feet down and one grabs another track going the other way and... well, I did go down a few times, but no real damage.

Long ago, I lived in Savanna, IL for 12 years total, so I am familiar with your weather. When I left, I told my co workers the 2 things I would not miss were the mosquitos from April to October and the weather from October to April.

I do not miss it!
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3 weeks ago

Mark BinghamTo Kelly IniguezAbsolutely!
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2 weeks ago

Mark BinghamTo Karen PoretWhat?? Alligators?? :-)
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2 weeks ago

Gregory GarceauDon't wear enough clothing when it's below zero--you freeze. Wear too much--you sweat like crazy. I always opt for the sweating.
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2 weeks ago

Karen PoretTo Mark BinghamBetter than a crocodile smile! 🫣
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2 weeks ago

Scott JonesGood Luck! Safe travels!
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2 weeks ago