A Road Less Traveled

I have done a lot of riding over the last three days. Actually, I am supposed to be riding right now, but they predicted horrible weather all weekend including snow, gusting winds and freezing temperatures. So I jumped the gun and did a long ride on Thursday.

I got a little nervous looking at the weekend weather forecast, as I had three long rides scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (a 12 hour ride, a 9 hour ride and a 6 hour ride.) Hoping to get my scheduled ride time in, I went out on Thursday for 6 hours, figuring that I would only need to do 6 hours on Friday during the snowstorm, which I could split between the mountain bike and the trainer.

Well they got is partially correct. We had gusting winds and freezing temperatures but no snow. So I did my 12 hours on Friday and 9 on Saturday. I am taking today off (well maybe an hour or two on the trainer to loosen up.)

I did all my riding these past three days on the cycle cross bike and I stayed on back roads. What a blast, finding new routes to familiar destinations. All those dirt roads we avoided all summer on our road bikes are new passages just waiting to be explored. And the best part – no traffic. There were stretches where I would go hours without a single car passing me.

It has been cold. Some of the days started (and ended) in the single digits and I don’t think it ever got above 20 yesterday. The only things giving me any trouble are my feet. When it’s in the teens and 20s, my feet start getting cold after about three hours. The only solution I have figured out is to keep my loops to about four hours, coming home to thaw them out and have a snack.

I have made some alterations/additions to my riding kit. I added knee warmers and a pair of wind resistant hiking pants to my bottom layer and replaced the fleece vest with a fleece jacket.

This week marks the end of one training cycle and the start of the next. This was the end of base building and the start of intensity. The next four months will focus on triple consecutive long rides, spaced every other weekend. As this was a transition week, I did a mini triple. In two weeks I will do a 12 hour, 10 hour, and another 10 hour ride.

I am feeling great today and think I could easily go out and do a 10 or 12 hour ride. I could, but it’s not on the schedule, so I won’t. :)

Ride on!!!!!

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There is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing.

It appears that I was a little premature in calling the demise of winter. The cold air that we have avoided so far this winter has finally arrived. With the cold weather comes a question; It’s 14 degrees outside and you have an 8 hour ride planned, what do you wear? (I will ignore the fact that most of you are saying “I’m NOT going for a ride!”)

Last Thursday, I had to answer this question and I had to get it right. If I didn’t, I was going to be cold and miserable. Here is an inventory of what I wore:

- Craft undershirt with nylon front
- Tour de Stooges cycling jersey (gotta have pockets and a sense of humor)
- Cycling jacket
- Fleece vest
- Ski jacket
- Cycling shorts (need the pad)
- Two pair of tights (one with wind resistant front)
- Two pair of socks (1st layer for wicking 2nd for warmth)
- Cycling shoes
- Chemical warmers (better living through chemistry)
- Heavy booties
- Balaclava
- Ski hat
- Brain bucket
- Lobster gloves (my hands have never gotten cold with these on)

I know that I have a lot of layers on top but I find that if I keep my core warm, my hands and feet will be warm. If your core isn’t warm, your body will sacrifice your extremities.

Although I didn’t have it for last Thursday, my latest piece of cold weather gear is my Surly cross bike (THANKS BIKEMAN.COM!)


I had a box of spare parts and components sitting around and decided that a cycle cross bike would be perfect for winter training, so I ordered an inexpensive frame and fork set from Bikeman, and Brian Rossignol put it all together for me.

This bike is a blast and it’s comfortable. I have a set of low profile cross tires on it, so the bike zips along on the pavement but has enough traction to handle dirt roads, mud and snow. I have been exploring and have found some great new places to ride. It has a much further range then my mt bike and isn’t restricted to the pavement like my road bikes.

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A Short Winter!!!!

Who would have thunk it, almost 70 degrees in the first week of January. Does this look like your typical New England winter scene?

(Brad Cilley and Mike Munson, riding up into Canterbury Shaker Village)

If there were a year to live in New Hampshire and train for RAAM, this is it. So far this has been one of the mildest winters on record (I’ll take it!) In the back of my mind, I keeping thinking there will be payback. Does this mean we will have three feet of snow in April? Hope not.

(Me riding up into Canterbury Shaker Village)

This is a recovery week for me, so unfortunately I have not been able to take full advantage of the great weather. I was out for short fun rides, just trying to enjoy myself. On Saturday, Mike Munson, Brad Cilley and I took a nice 40 mile spin. We went up through Canterbury, to Belmont and back over Loudon Ridge Rd. Lots of climbing – Lots of fun.

(Brad and Mike on top of Loundon Ridge)

This upcoming week it’s back to the grind. I have an 11 hour ride followed by an 8 hour ride on the next day. Temperatures are expected to fall but still stay in the 40s. They can keep the Artic air up in Canada.

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