December 2, 2012 and 40 miles

   I'm finding this winter more challenging than last for some reason.  I don't know if it's that it starts cold then gets warm (as opposed to just staying cold) or what it is, but once I don't go regularly, it's almost like I have to get motivated all over again to get out and remind myself how calming it is to be out on the bike.  Part of it, too, is that I know that it takes time to go, and right now, I don't always feel like I can give up that time.

After getting forty miles in!

   Despite my difficulties, I did get myself out on the bike this last weekend (the first one of December) and went out to meet my family at the local winter farmers' market.  After wandering around, I then joined them for lunch then took off from there.  Before initially setting out, I was all bundled and ready to go, then I went outside and was immediately too warm.  I went back in and switched only to still be too warm in tights and had to switch to a lighter long sleeve jersey and lighter base layer and my bib knickers.  I was still a touch cold as I set out, but I just had to remind myself that it was heading into the low 60s.  By the time I left lunch, I'd switched the long sleeve jersey for a short sleeve.

   Getting on my way was a little chilly, but once I was going, I was set and returned to the greenway.  Along they way, I was very proud of myself as I passed a woman who was walking her bike.  I went up to a bit to loop back and asked her if she was okay, to which she said I was the first man to ask her and that she'd been wondering if chivalry was dead.  Of course, she had a racer road bike, so my spare tube wouldn't work.  She'd already called her husband to meet her, otherwise I could've helped her patch the tube if she'd needed, though I've not worked with such skinny tires...I'm not sure how ones that thin aren't always just popped!

   At the end of the greenway, I was faced with getting back on the road and heading home or lengthening the ride.  With being at about 30 miles, I couldn't help but extend it and headed out into the country!  A fire's been burning in the mountains, and the country town I passed through is a bit closer to the foothills and thus had more smoke that made my lungs hurt to the point I almost called my wife.  It's a very popular road for serious cyclists, so I've avoided it because I don't want me and my hybrid bike to be judged, but ultimately, I did it.  I was passed once by a guy whose calves were larger relaxed than mine are flexed, but otherwise, not too bad.  Of course, it seemed most people were passing south as I headed north...I think they were returning from treks up into the mountains.  I'll take what I can get.

   When I finally got home, I took a bit of a meandering ride through the neighborhood that ultimately put me at just over 40 miles, something I haven't done very often, and hadn't done since summer.  I ended up really feeling every one of those miles, but it was worth it!  Strangely, I've felt absolutely starved all week, but I've been picking reasonable snacks and not allowing myself to take larger portions to compensate, and the only thing I can think of is the ride staying with me all week.  I'd hoped to ride to work this Wednesday (it's late start for the kids, but we start at the usual time for meetings), but it's just too dark when it's not even dawn until seven.  Still, it was a good ride and a good week...everyone tells me my mood is better when I get my ride(s) in, and I'm thinking they're right.

   This weekend is supposed to snow and be frigid, so probably no ride, but who knows?...