More than one person has observed I do things backwards in the cycling world. I start a ride program in the fall or winter instead of the late spring. I optimistically “plan” for long rides and pedal them pessimistically.
Today’s ride … is a ride that no one should do without being in shape and thinking about the conditions. I felt pretty apprehensive before I started.
- The weather forecast said winds from the east at 13mph, temps in the upper 30s. That means headwinds and cool but not cold conditions.
- Checking the temps right before the ride they were closer to mid 30s
- After my first return to commuting commute the fatigue was already in the thighs.
Getting dressed I was thinking of a cold, wet ride with a moderate headwind. No problem, I’ve done plenty of these before. Well, with at least 10 pounds less fat and hundreds of recent miles in my history. Kent’s pessimism for planning translated into warmer gloves, a wish that I’d had time to swap out my studded tires for something smoother rolling and a departure half an hour earlier than normal. How did the ride work out?
- Temps were a degree above freezing.
- Winds from the east at 23 mph gusting to 33. I kept looking to see what was rubbing against a tire. Something had to be making all that drag.
- The extra half hour went into a massively slow ride.
- Hands stayed warm!
The wind forecast is the same for the rest of the week. I hope it gets to be more accurate. As soon as I warm up and get some calories into my bloodstream I’m going to feel a whole lot better.
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