« This and That! | Main | Vise-Grip »
November 12, 2008
A New Challenge
So when I signed up for the California 70.3 I laid down a new challenge for myself. Simple enough in nature, but hard enough to accomplish.
Ride outside as long as possible without resorting to the trainer.
Now living in Pittsburgh, I do realize that eventually I'm going to be riding the trainer this winter. California 70.3 is April 4th. That means the biggest/hardest weeks of training will be in late January through February. February is possibly the worst month known to man here. There is NEVER a nice day. It's always REALLY cold and it snows/ices/sleets nasty stuff much of the month. The windchills are brutal. Without a doubt, much of my riding with be done on the trainer in February. And really the trainer is a great tool. My coach is always saying how great it is for focused riding and for creating that muscle memory that is required to master the perfect pedal stroke. I understand that and when the time comes, will use the trainer for some great rides.
But let's face it, after about 20 minutes on the trainer I usually want to poke my eyes out. And I start looking at my watch every 30 seconds when I thought 15 minutes had passed by. Not good when you have a 4+ hour ride.
So with that in mind I told O that my goal this year would be to toughen up on the outdoor riding in the cold. Hold off for as long as I can. Get strong by riding outside in the wind (which is bad around here this time of year) and cold. Suffer a little. Because that's what our sport is all about right? :)
My first opportunity came today. I had to ride. It was about 35 degrees. This was a good way to ease myself in. 35 isn't too bad but definitely colder than I've ridden in for a while.
So I get my bike ready and then deliberate over what to wear for the next half hour. Hmm...if I'm going to keep this up I'm going to need to make clothing decisions a little faster. I went for the leg warmers over the tights. And the heavy jacket over the lighter one. Gloves for sure. And a long sleeve. And the little cap thing that fits underneath your helmet to keep your ears warm. BINGO!!
So far so good!
I think I got the clothing just right. I got a little warm and had to unzip my jacket for a while but overall wasn't too cold or too hot at any given moment. Figuring out the clothing will make this challenge a lot easier for me.
Only problem was, my feet. What. The. Heck. They were like frozen blocks for the next 2 hours! About half way through my ride I realized that I do have little feet warmer things that fit over my cycling shoes that I had forgotten about. And then when the really cold weather comes, I have booties. And I've heard about the plastic bag thing so I'll have to try that too. But I can see how the feet are going to be the issue. Just wait until the bricks start to show up on my schedule again and I'll have to run on those frozen blocks! :)
So, I guess we'll see how it goes. Obviously daylight will sometimes be an issue for me and I will refuse to ride when the roads are icy or really wet from snow/slush. But in general I'm going to try to tough it out for a while.
Having said that, I'm sure come Saturday, when I ride next, it's going to be 20 degrees and sleeting. :)
Posted by beth at November 12, 2008 3:22 PM
Comments
Hi Beth:
I did my ride outside today, too, and it was great. 33 degrees but felt much warmer because it was DRY. I feel the same way about the trainer...and once the snow sticks, I'll tough it out on my mountain bike with ski goggles for a bit longer!
Hope you have a good night.
Posted by: Danielle "Pedergraham" at November 12, 2008 5:20 PM
Double up the booties with heavy socks. That's what I do...but the feet still get cold. :(
This will be us in January!!! I can't wait.
http://blog.chadholderbaum.com/2008/01/cold-to-frozen.html
19 degrees with 15 mph winds. And why again did we sign up for Oceanside???
Posted by: Chad at November 12, 2008 6:12 PM
BETH!
We rode outside yesterday - 32F and SLEET/snow....you know what we use on our feet? Those heating packages that you crack and they heat up - we put some in our lobster gloves & boots/shoes (gortex boots) and we are set. Enjoy!
Posted by: Jennifer Harrison at November 12, 2008 9:33 PM
Hi me again, from MN. Get the neoprene booties and use the baggies. LAke Winter boots if you are so inclined but they are pricey.
Using the chemical heaters ( they make them for feet as well as hands) will save you. And lobster gloves for your hands.
good luck!Oh and if you can, obviously into the wind on the way out, home with the wind.
Posted by: Julia at November 12, 2008 9:45 PM
I get REALLY cold feet when I camp and bike in the cold. For camping I've started using those chemical foot warmers. You peel off the backside and they stick to your sock. They stay warm for 6 hours or so. I'm thinking of trying them for winter running/riding.
Posted by: Audrey at November 12, 2008 9:48 PM
Beth - you are so tough! I want to be you darn it!! I have to say.. I rode my bike for the first time in 31 days on Tuesday - INSIDE like a pansy, but I just couldn't bear the thought of putting on all those clothes (which I don't even think are AT the apartment..pretty sure I left them in Pitt which goes to show how serious I am about riding in the cold). You are my hero though, keep it up!
Posted by: Kim at November 13, 2008 10:12 AM
training outdoors and weather... the never ending battle... i hope your prep for California 70.3 goes well...
Posted by: kranky c dale at November 13, 2008 10:32 AM
Hey Beth!! Oh... you are brave! 35 is CRAZY cold to me, and it's funny because the thing that always bothers me the most is my feet! Then I'll run on them and it takes like 3 miles before I start to feel my toes again! So if you get it figured out... Let me know!! Good luck. I'll be thinking about you!
Posted by: kellye at November 13, 2008 3:57 PM
You're pretty tough to go outside in those conditions. I bet warm cycling clothes will be on your Christmas list.
Posted by: maija at November 13, 2008 7:33 PM
wow, you are tough...i'd be inside ;). For those really cold days, do you have a mountain bike? I find that I can wear more and a mountain bike and I don't have to worry about traction as much. It isn't exactly the same but then again, neither is the trainer!!!
Posted by: kerrie at November 13, 2008 11:45 PM
Wow, that is cold! But great job in braving it. I am sure you will figure out really warm clothing to wear out when it is even colder. You can do it! You are brave!
XO,
E
Posted by: E Swanson at November 14, 2008 11:21 AM