Below Freezing Again

This Ride: 20.9 miles
Kona Distance: 5,066.9 miles
Month to date: 20.9 miles
2010 Total: 5,553.4 miles

We are now in a weather cycle where our morning rides will likely be below freezing consistently for several months.  Above freezing rides will be a treat.  This morning it was 29.  Yesterday morning it was 60, but high winds and rain (tornado watches) kept us all inside.  I think it was the warm temps the past couple of days that kept the water on the trail from freezing.  I saw a thin skim of ice on some puddles, but on the trail, there was just water.

Five of us rode this morning.  I tried a couple of new things with mixed results.  I pulled out the hand warmers I used on Monday and put them inside my shoes, on top of my feet.  (These can be reused if placed in a zip lock bag and the air removed from the bag.  Some suggest keeping them in the refrigerator also.)  They did great the first half of the ride, but the last half, my toes were cold.  Talking with some of the others, often two toe warmers are used on each foot.  One under the toes in the shoe, and one on top of the shoe under the shoe cover.  I’ll try that one on tomorrow’s ride.

I also tried some new wool socks.  I ordered 5 pair from Bonktown.com, (a Woot-like site for cycling gear) and they came in yesterday.  They are very comfortable, and short ankle length.  They are a little thicker than the very thin wool socks I’ve been wearing. There is an added bonus with wool socks that I’m really enjoying.  They fit.  I have size 8.5 – 9 feet, and almost all socks I buy from the store are a size too big, you know … one size fits all.  The wool cycling socks come in sizes.  It is a real treat to have socks that fit properly.  It is the little things in life that elevate all of life.

The Garmin data suggests I need to do something with my cadence sensor.  Battery?  Probably about time.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s breakfast ride.

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