First I drove to Jameson's house to see my sweetie who seemed disappointed I left so quickly after my arrival.
He is looking out the window watching me leave on my bike.
I put on 4 layers on top, my headband, my hard core gloves, my toe warmers and off I went. I thought my legs were going to be cold but they warmed up quickly as they were the only part of me really moving. My fingers and toes took turns being cold - so nice of them not to both be cold at once - but never too badly. I felt like if I had had my smart wool gloves inside my gore tex gloves life would have been better. I was almost alone on the bike path which was great.
Notice the snow on the ground and think about how hard
core I am!
I couldn't have more clothes on on top and still ride.
Biking is certainly the exercise that rocks my world as I was grinning from ear to ear during most of this ride in spite of the cold. I could say with truth I relished the cold knowing I wouldn't be out in it too long and I could get back to the warmth in a fairly short time if needed. I'm sure you're all sick of me whining about my stressful year but yesterday was the worst day yet of my teaching career (I keep thinking that day has come but then yet another worst one comes along) and being outside, riding and being in a place I love just made my day. What a nice switch from the day before. My poor dermatologist made the mistake of asking me how my year was going. It was probably a polite question but he got an earful. He is probably removing his child from public school as I write this to home school her.
I was unable to get all the way to the bike bridge as I came to this sign. I saw a tractor trailer (dump truck variety) coming down the bike path - really? - and did try to go a little farther but when I came to a road closed sign with cranes, dump trucks etc. I turned around and headed back. Truthfully I was beginning to feel the cold so it wasn't the downer it might have been.
I stopped to take a few pictures on a section that is for runners/walkers but since no one was out today I didn't think it mattered. I got back to Jameson's house and did take Jaxon for a short walk. So a great bike ride and some time with my little buddy made AJH a happy lady!
If you ever do the VCM you will be very happy here as you are almost
done and you will have many many spectators cheering you on!
17 comments:
That's a pretty hard core ride in my book. I'm a wimp when it comes to cold so I don't usually ride when it's below 60. If I do decide to start riding in the cold, I'll probably use those chemical hand warmers. I ordered a box of them online for use during cold weather races.
Brrr! It's been cold running outside- looks super chilly on a bike. You are hardcore indeed!!
You really are a bad ass! I bet Jaxon was really pleased to get a nice normal urban walk with you after his adventure out at your house!
Nice looking ride. You are certainly wrapped up warm! It's not that cold here, but I did run with a jacket on for the first time this morning!
You are hardcore!! Sorry you are having a crappy school year...Are you doing the Santa run?
Very impressive!! That looks so cold! Gorgeous photos though, as always.
You are hardcore for sure! I run through winter but our temperatures are warm compared to yours. Tough girl you!
See, all that snowy weather in Vermont is not such a fun thing when you're a bike lover as yourself! :) But you're making it work for now and I agree, bike trainers should be left in boxes until absolutely necessary! But I have had fun with a couple Spinnerval (sp?) for those really nasty days! :)
Hahah...laughing at the dentist :). I unleashed my woes on a parent once and her first comment after was, "Should I start homeschooling?" :)
I rode a couple of years back in the snow and it was awesome! Though people stopped to ask me if I needed a ride!
Aw, your granddog is so cute! What a little character.
Good for you for staying away from the trainer and continuing to ride outside!! Bundling up is worthi it as compared to riding nowhere. Unfortunately for us we have so much gravel on our roads now that even if the snow melts I don't feel that great about riding outside. Maybe if I had something other than a TT bike to ride... Anyhow, good for you. You win my hardcore award!!!
I'm so sorry to hear that work is continuing to be tough. So frustrating for you! You could always give up teaching and become a triathlon coach. You're certainly passionate enough to do it.
Oh yeah, you got it bad - serious bike addiction which in this case is not a negative! Bike riding is good!
Even though not always the most pleasurable experience in terms of our fingers and tootsies staying comfy, there is something invigorating and just plain neat about being the only one brave enough to get out and endure the cold-it's quiet and peaceful, too, because no one else is as crazy and fun-loving as us - they don't dare go out in the cold! :-) Smartwool under the gore tex will make you happier, definitely. Jaxon is just the cutest little guy - the kitties MUST be jealous!!!
You are crazy! I rode once this fall when it was below 50 and that was a BIG deal for me. It was a sunny day, that's pretty much the only reason I went.
The trainer can get really boring but it's worth it to keep the biking legs under you during the winter.
You are hard core! Love the pic of Jaxon looking mourfully out the window, poor guy. Up here the bikers wear these huge mittens over their gloves when they bike in single digit temps, do you knwo what I mean? They're so big they look like balloon gloves. Soon you will be wearing the same, hee, hee. Great job on the work out and sorry about the work stresses. Christmas vacation is coming up, that's one good thing.
35 degrees? Can you just change the name of your blog to "hard core" or something.
You truly are hard core my friend!! Yikes, that's too cold for me to bike. My bike is already on the trainer and this girl is staying indoors...except it is supposed to be 70 here this weekend..hmmm maybe I'll get it back out.
Love the photo of you on your blog - check out all those dudes you are chicking out of the swim!
You are definitely a hardcore rider! I'm impressed! I guess you are now officially addicted to riding as you got yourself a trainer :)
I'm sorry to hear about your awful year...lots of teachers in my family (husband, BIL, daughter, and DIL, plus a few retired aunts) and I know how stressful that must be
:( Thank goodness you have riding and other sports to take your mind off all that.
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