I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a great new year's. If you're like me, you haven't been on the bike since our last ride before Christmas, and I know I'm going through withdrawals!
Let's start the year off with good health/fitness habits by getting back in that saddle and riding on Saturday. The weather is looking to be in the 40's the rest of the week, including Saturday, so I'm hopeful what's left of the snow/ice will be melted by ride time. I'm still thinking about putting my 'cross tires on the bike just to be safe.
Since it's been a couple of weeks since we've ridden, and most of us are only riding on Saturdays, we'll take it easy by heading up to REI and back. That's always a nice, relatively "flat" and easy 32 miles, and a great way to keep with any New Year's resolutions or goals you may have made about fitness, weight loss, or miles for the year.
See you all Saturday - be ready to ride out at 10:30am.
Showing posts with label REI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label REI. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
SNOW-vember!!
It had to come eventually! So glad we took advantage of the great weather we had last Saturday. It was truly a picture perfect day.
Outside of a couple of flats, and my cleat trouble (leading to a very entertaining dismount at the shop!) it was a good ride.
Weather reports keep changing for this Saturday. If we are able to ride, we'll head out to REI. Clear or not, it's supposed to be chilly, and what better place to warm up than at Starbucks! Be sure to dress in warm layers, and check back here and/or our Facebook Page to see whether or not the ride has been cancelled. The plan is to update both by 8:30am on Saturdays IF WE CANCEL. If it's really ugly out, we'll update Friday evening.
Just a couple of tips for cool weather riding:
Dress in layers - you'll warm up as you ride, so wear something that's easy to take off and store while on the trail. Leg/arm warmers are great, as they come in many different levels of "warm", and they are easy to remove, store, or adjust on the ride.
Wear breathable, moisture wicking materials. Merino Wool is especially good in the cold as it moves the perspiration off of you before it turns to sweat. This helps maintain your body temperature, and keeps you dry - we've all experienced that clammy feeling you get when you work out in the cold; you start to warm up, sweat, and then your shirt sticks to your back and suddenly you're shivering. The proper clothing can help with this (and it doesn't have to be "cycling specific" - regular, cold weather base layers are just fine; just make sure they're long enough to cover your back while you ride).
Don't forget your head, ears and neck. Wear a lightweight beanie under your helmet (they make thin ones just for cycling), grab your ear-cover-headband-thing, and make sure your jersey or baselayer comes up high enough on your neck to keep you comfortable.
Gloves - our hands are right out there in front taking a lot of COLD wind on them, and those summer, mesh gloves aren't going to cut it. Make sure you have gloves that keep you warm enough to be responsive. We've all experienced hands so cold that you can't even move your fingers, you don't even know if you actually shifted, and they hurt when you try to force them to do something like squeeze your brakes. Keep them warm!!
When it comes to the legs, make sure whatever you wear isn't going to get caught in your chain - long socks help a lot, and compression socks will help keep the blood moving; really cold and I'm wearing tights; you may even wish to try embrocation (WARNING - do not do this for the first time at a ride!!! Also, do it after you put your shorts on).
Lastly, just because it's cold outside, doesn't mean you won't dehydrate. Bring your fluids just like you would any other time of year, and remind yourself to drink it even if you don't feel thirsty.
Personally, I love those crisp, winter rides. You often have the trail all to yourself cutting a new path in the snow!! Then you happen upon the guy walking his dog who looks at you like you're crazy....
Until then, enjoy some more pictures from last Saturday's ride. Hope to see you all this weekend!
Outside of a couple of flats, and my cleat trouble (leading to a very entertaining dismount at the shop!) it was a good ride.
Weather reports keep changing for this Saturday. If we are able to ride, we'll head out to REI. Clear or not, it's supposed to be chilly, and what better place to warm up than at Starbucks! Be sure to dress in warm layers, and check back here and/or our Facebook Page to see whether or not the ride has been cancelled. The plan is to update both by 8:30am on Saturdays IF WE CANCEL. If it's really ugly out, we'll update Friday evening.
Just a couple of tips for cool weather riding:
Dress in layers - you'll warm up as you ride, so wear something that's easy to take off and store while on the trail. Leg/arm warmers are great, as they come in many different levels of "warm", and they are easy to remove, store, or adjust on the ride.
Wear breathable, moisture wicking materials. Merino Wool is especially good in the cold as it moves the perspiration off of you before it turns to sweat. This helps maintain your body temperature, and keeps you dry - we've all experienced that clammy feeling you get when you work out in the cold; you start to warm up, sweat, and then your shirt sticks to your back and suddenly you're shivering. The proper clothing can help with this (and it doesn't have to be "cycling specific" - regular, cold weather base layers are just fine; just make sure they're long enough to cover your back while you ride).
Don't forget your head, ears and neck. Wear a lightweight beanie under your helmet (they make thin ones just for cycling), grab your ear-cover-headband-thing, and make sure your jersey or baselayer comes up high enough on your neck to keep you comfortable.
Gloves - our hands are right out there in front taking a lot of COLD wind on them, and those summer, mesh gloves aren't going to cut it. Make sure you have gloves that keep you warm enough to be responsive. We've all experienced hands so cold that you can't even move your fingers, you don't even know if you actually shifted, and they hurt when you try to force them to do something like squeeze your brakes. Keep them warm!!
When it comes to the legs, make sure whatever you wear isn't going to get caught in your chain - long socks help a lot, and compression socks will help keep the blood moving; really cold and I'm wearing tights; you may even wish to try embrocation (WARNING - do not do this for the first time at a ride!!! Also, do it after you put your shorts on).
Lastly, just because it's cold outside, doesn't mean you won't dehydrate. Bring your fluids just like you would any other time of year, and remind yourself to drink it even if you don't feel thirsty.
Personally, I love those crisp, winter rides. You often have the trail all to yourself cutting a new path in the snow!! Then you happen upon the guy walking his dog who looks at you like you're crazy....
Until then, enjoy some more pictures from last Saturday's ride. Hope to see you all this weekend!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Saturday, September 25th
Fall is certainly upon us - I'm loving these slightly chilled mornings!!! It's still early in the week, but the forecast for Saturday calls for temps in the 70s. Sounds like perfect riding weather to me! This week, we'll head up the South Platte to REI, with a detour around Sloan's Lake on the way back. It's a relatively flat 36+ mile ride and if you've been riding all summer with some time in the saddle, you will be fine. We'll label this one Recreational/Intermediate because of the distance. As always, it's NO DROP - just come prepared to have fun!
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