2.6.2011 Ride: Cyclist, (57, Married) Seeks Ice-Free Road

Riding today, I had today's blog post all beautifully composed in my head.  Less than 3 hours later, I struggle to recapture the thoughts, made even harder to recapture with a TV quietly talking in the background and, just now, being approached by Rachel asking if I can spot her as she lifts weights.  How can I say no to that?
I could wait till later in the evening but the distractions will prbably be worse.  And, I do want to get this written, it seems, as much as I wanted, needed to ride this morning.

Studded tires or not, like everyone else in town, the ice, particularly the ice, gets old.  The ice is very treacherous this morning and I know my studded tires will be useless.  Last night I already decided that I would seek out a stretch of road where I could safely ride without fear of falling.  To my surprise, Habberton Rd, a very rural road just down the hill from us, was clear.  It ran for 1.6 miles before heading down a hill that was ice-covered on one side.  That would do, I thought,  making a decent 3.2 mile loop of sorts.

Being back on the road bike felt very good.  Yes, the sound of home-made studded tries successfully working may have been music to my ears but the quiet, smooth rolling sound of the tires on the pavement was a wonderful sonata.  My goal today was at least 20 miles.  Riding back and forth on such a relatively short stretch could seem to get monotonous, but there was really quite a bit to rediscover on each passing: the slow turning to slush of the two ice patches I had to cross; the vultures, cows, barns, cemetery, trucks that passed me more than once, farm items rusting in the pastures, my own parked van that kept startling me as I approached as I initially thought a vehicle was about to pull out, the dog that occasionally appeared with whom I stopped to make friends with on my last passing.

It can take me anywhere between 10-15 miles  to get into a groove. Today, I hit that about mile 12.  Having to slow down after just a mile and a half to turn around doesn't help.  But that quickly became part of the routine, the journey.  I was really moving around mile 18 when a slight drizzle began.  The rain didn't dampen my spirits but I was concerned if it began raining harder I might have to call it a day.  At mile 20, I said let me go for 25.  I began to experience a very quiet exhiliration.  Very few cars passed me and I felt very far removed from the bustle of Hwy 45 so nearby.  There was a strange mix of melancholy and intense beauty that I seemed to drift through.  On one lap of my ride, all my senses seemed to reach a climatic awareness.  The pelting rain, the whiteness of the snow, the quiet of the world, even my cold, cold feet all seemed to add up to an incredible sense of well-being.  This 1.6 mile of road was my own very personal world.  I cherished the moment because I knew it could not last.  Reaching the point where I had to turn around, the intensity of the moment indeed vanished.    

But the ride still moved on effortlessly and when I hit 25, I aimed for 30 miles. On my last lap, the dog that had watched me from its yard, was now in the road.  It moved toward me as I approached, though not menacingly.  I decided to stop and called it over.  She was a bit shy but very sweet and allowed me to pet her. She was a nice last rememberance to a wonderful ride on a mostly ice-free road.

Today's Ride:  2 hrs 35 min.  30.04 miles. 39-41 degrees. Light drizzle last 12 miles. Miles YTD:  667.01

                                                                  

2.5.2011 Ride: Hockey Pants to the Rescue

Yes.  I know.  It is quite the fashion statement. 
Not as sore as I thought I would be this morning after the fall yesterday.  All the icepack applications and naprosyn seemed to pay off.  Though, sitting on the brick step leading into the garage, let me know I was still quite tender.  Some precaution was in order, much like when the quarterback with broken ribs wears a flak jacket.  I rememberd the hockey pants up in the attic from  when I played rec ice hockey up in Springdale.  A bit bulky but still loose enough to allow up and down movement of the legs for bicycling.  Most importantly, they provided good padding in exactly the spot where I was most tender.  I had the added protection around the hip bones in case I took a fall on that part of my body.

A beautiful blue-skyed day.  After riding several days in single and teen digit temperatures, I was way over dressed  and getting very warm.  But trying to strip off clothing was too much a bother.  The freshly fallen snow from yesterday made the road very rideable, the studs working well.  Though, there were still a few spots were the ice from yesterday  managed to creep through and create danger spots.

Starting off, I thought I might go at least 90 minutes.  But, about halfway through the ride I saw I was really tiring, especially going uphill.  The sore glut muscles were making my other leg muscles work that much harder.  I did not realize just what a workout I had on the ride until I got back home and I felt sore and tired all over as if I had spent the last hour tumbling down a hill.  Still, it felt good to have gotten out there and to keep the riding streak going. 

The result of a 41 year-old showing off for a 14 year-old, on how to drive a 4-wheeled drive vehicle in the snow.

Close-up of ATV vehicle tracks in the snow.

Day 5 of Ice & Snow.
Today's Ride:  65 min.  7.2 miles.  Temp: 29 at start of ride, 34 at finish.  Miles YTD:  636.97

2.4.2011 Ride: The Sound of Falling on Ice

Day four of ice & snow.  Sitting here, typing this up about 7 hours after my ride this morning with a brace strapping an ice pack to my lower back & bottom. 
It is said that the Inuits have a gazillion words for snow.  If the ice keeps up, I will have a million words for it. 

Yesterday, after I had driven into town, I mentioned to Rachel that the condition of the ice was getting worse: it was breaking up, refreezing into chunks and developing a slick sheen.   

Heading out this morning, the ice was definitely slicker and I could see I was not going to have a repeat of yesterday's great ride.  The studs were not working quite as well and my back tire spun more as I went up hills.  But there was one section of a road in our neighborhood that turned out to be particularly treacherous.  Just topping a slight rise, my front tire gave out from beneath me and the bike went sliding down sideways between my legs.  Fortunately, I had cleats on my feet and I was able to remain standing.  A short time later, I crossed over the section of road again at a different spot.  I thought I was safely down a small downhill and on level ground when the bike slid out from underneath me a second time on a patch of ice.  I put out my foot again but this time the cleats just slid across the ice and I ended up flat on my lower back.  There was the inital "Ow," followed a second later by a more agonized "Ow."  Rubbing my lower back/butt/tail bone area, I assessed just how badly I was hurt while also thinking about my sister-in-law Nancy's fall where she shattered her elbow.  Nothing seemed seriously hurt and I quickly got up, wanting to begin riding again before things stiffened up.  Riding actually felt good but every patch of ice now seemed like a terrorist threat.  The glee and synchronicity of yesterday's ride was definitely not part of today's agenda. 

BTW:    A re-assessment of the sound of the tires.  Listening to them again today on an area where I did ride more easily, the "whomp" reminded me of a quickly spinning propeller.

Today's Ride:  65 minutes.  6 miles. 22 degrees. Miles YTD:  629.77

2.3.2011 Ride: The Sound of One Studded Tire on Ice

I woke at 5:40 and, perhaps a bit reluctantly, pulled myself out of bed.  But if I wanted to set a new cold-weather ride for myself, I had to get moving.  To my horror, the monitor was showing a reading of 3 degrees ABOVE zero.  Certainly, that couldn't be right.  I looked more closely, assuming that I just was not seeing the minus sign.  But no, 3 degrees above zero it was.  I would still be riding in the coldest weather I ever have, but not the negative number I had hoped for.  It was as if my hopes to reach the top of Mt. Everest were dashed. 
I checked weather.com and they did have a -3 reading for Fayetteville.  But, I have been going by my home station and I was sticking by it now.  The different readings do make sense.  Weather.com gets its readings from the Fayetteville airport which lies down in the valley.  Cold air settles down in the valley while we are 300-400 feet higher. 
I had laid out all my gear the night before so I was able to dress very quickly.  Even so, between the time I took the picture of the monitor and the time I left, The temperature had risen up to 3.2.  I was on the bike just as the sky was beginning to lighten in the east.  No wind and the studded tires were biting into the ice even better than yesterday.  I headed to Hwy 45 with a bright white lamp up front and my rear flashing red light on my CamelBak.  I didn't even try to keep the water from freezing in the CamelBak tube, which it did in 10 minutes. 
The traffic on 45 was sporadic, with cars coming in clusters.  I thought I might try to go all the way to the Harp's Grocery store almost 4 miles away and say hello to the folks I know there and then head back.  But, about a mile away, I looked in my mirror and saw a long trail of headlights in the distance.  The vastly reduced morning work traffic was coming.  Continuing on with all these cars passing did not seem to be a wise choice so I did a U-turn which was indeed a good decision as the trail of cars turned out to be about 30 cars long.  As I made my way back, traffic going away from town continued to be light.
I turned on to Sassafrass Road to extend my ride.  The road was much icier than any of the others I had been on.  I smiled anew at how well the studs were working.  Sassafrass, returning back to 45, sloped gently downward for close to a half mile.  The studded tires fell into a rhythmic whomping sound.  A "wa-whoomp" accompanied by a "swoosh" sound.   It was truly an exhilirating sound as it represented so many things that were going right.  The closest similar sound I can think of is the rhythmic wooshing noise that skiis make when cross-country skiing.  It says the equipment is working and the body and mind are all working properly and in sync.  It was a special moment and even though there was still the very satisfying sound of studs against ice further down the road, it wasn't quite the same.
To make up for the lack of a subzero temperature, I decided to extend my ride to 90 minutes; I had to somehow push the envelope this morning.  But it was an easy decision as I was enjoying being out there pedaling.  And, I wanted ot enjoy those studded tires while I could.  In maybe two days time, there probably want be any need for them in who knows how long.

Today's Ride:  95 minutes.  @ 10.6 miles.  3 degrees at start time, 5 deg at finish of ride.
Miles YTD: 623.77

2.2.2011 Ride: 6 degrees of Separation

It's not every day that I have the opportunity to ride when it's 6 degrees, which is a new record low for me for bike riding.  It was sort of a Call of the Wild around 7:30 this morning that beckoned me to go ride "Now," while the temperature gauge still read 6.  For a few moments, it dropped down to 5 but very soon went back up.  6 was still good. 
I dressed very quickly and there was a child-like excitement once I was on the road and my very own home-made studded bicycle tires were working, expertly gripping the ice.

I rode down to Hwy 45 to see what it looked like and expected to see a fairly cleared road with lots of traffic.  But it was still completely iced-over with hardly any cars.  I rode up the hill, moving easily, feeling almost giddy at having the road to myself and at how well the tires were working.  But, not wanting to stray too far with Lupe, we returned to the neighborhood.

After getting so hot on yesterday's ride, I decided to not use the heat packs for my shoes or gloves.  After 15 minutes, my hands were already getting cold and I resorted to doing my windmill act where I'm wildly circling my arm to get warmth into my hands.  It must make for a good picture for someone passing me but it does work and my hands stayed warm for the rest of the ride.  To get my feet warm, I look for a hill to go up where I'm forced to pump harder.  It's an interesting balancing act to staying warm. 

With Lupe abandoning me after 2 miles, I headed for Hwy 45 once more to ride to the top.  Coming back down, I noticed lights in my mirror and as the vehicle approached, I couldn't believe it: another semi. I was surprised at how quickly he was traveling down the hill.  Forget worrying about me, he was an 18 wheeler coming to a good-sized curve on a steep grade of an ice-covered road.  I really expected him to end up off the side of the road but, fortunately, he made it down safely. 

By the end of the ride, my feet were a bit cold and I was proud of my ice-coated eyelashes - a sort of badge of honor.  Tomorrow I have the chance to break today's record for the coldest ride.  At 7 AM, when it will be light enough to ride, the temperature is supposed to be -5.  Cool.

Today's Ride:  65 minutes. @ 7 miles.  Miles YTD: 613.17.  Temperature: 6 degrees.  Windchill: -8

2.1.2011 Ride: A Ride to Joe's in the Snow

Lots of pictures today for this ride.
Conditions at push--off: 21 degrees, snow, sleet & the wind gusting up into the 20s. 
I didn't have to worry about the screws sticking too far out of the tires as I wished they were even longer.  But they did work even if I was squirming around quite a bit at times.  I called the Pilkingtons before I left so that they could keep an eye out for me as I passed their house.  When I did, I was greeted by cheers and "Go! Go! Go!" from the entire family.  Shortly after that, my chain came off.  A quick repair and I was on my way again. 

Plowing through the snow, I was building up the body heat and I was WAY over-dressed.  I certainly did not need the heat packs in my gloves and shoes. Going up Hwy 45 was certainly a challenge.  At first, I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it as I kept sliding about quite a bit.  But I soon found some good footing and fell into a rhythm and made it halfway up the hill before I had to stop and catch my breath.  This was certainly the hardest workout I have had in years!

There were a few cars on the road and I did pull over as they approached .  After reaching the top, the going was much easier and I reached the Ziegler's house without any trouble.  It was nice to be able to incorporate today's ride into a more meaningful mission of helping to get Joe out of bed. 

After leaving the Zieglers, a dog passed me and then I saw a figure walking on 45, so naturally I had to go over and say hi and ask for a picture.  It turned out to be the Ziegler's neighbor Robert Womack.  Rob told me he completed an impressive triathalon last fall (I believe it was) but that he would leave the biking in the snow to me. 

The ride back was easier going downhill though there was more traffic.  The snow had probably doubled while I was at the Zieglers.  Getting up Rivercrest from 45 was a challenge and I finally had to walk up the last half.  But, I am happy to report that I was albe to ride back the rest of the way home.  Oh, yes.  No Flats!

Looking out the window just now and seeing the snow blowing straight across, I'm glad I rode earlier.

Today's Ride:  About 70 minutes.  @ 4.2 miles.  20 mph wind.  Miles YTD:  606.17

2.1.2011 Pre-Ride

Spent 3 hours yesterday turning the front and rear tires on the moutain bike into studded tires.  The snow and sleet are here.  Wind is gusting up to 29 mph.  Temp is 23 degrees and still dropping. The adrenalin is flowing. I plan to head out shortly and ride over to Joe's to help get him out of bed.  My biggest concern is getting a flat tire.  More later.