Very Enjoyable Day

It was a nice break from the cold, wind, rain and snow of yesterday. My ICE T was the flavor of the day on this 38 mile ride. My thirst was not fully quenched so I opted for my Orange Julius and another 6.5 miles to the store. Riding my bike makes me feel warm and fuzzy like when I was a kid. I love it when it all comes together.

Comfortable?

 Roundup the posse

The James Gang

No parking problem here.

Black Friday/Saturday

My plan for Friday was a low impact easy 30 miler. It was such a nice day I started adding a few miles and a few miles and a few miles. Next thing I new I had 44. Today on the other hand was a blustery cold day. I left early as the day promised to deteriorate. Sunshine with 40 degree 20 mph winds turned to grey 30's and 30 mph. The ICE T is a great bike for this weather. Tucking in under the fairing is great protection and definitely helps cut through the wind. 30 miles was the business for today.

Windy

Cold attire

Other crazy bikers

Almost There

I just completed 5500 miles for the year. I surpassed my record set in 2010 by more than 100 miles. My new goal is 6,000. This is not going to be an easy accomplishment. The days are getting shorter and the cold adds greater resistance. My body is having a tough time doing 50 miles, even 35 is a major workout. I will have to average 100 miles per week. Not a big deal in the warmer weather but Winter is very unpredictable. Just 1 snow storm stops things dead in it's tracks. Whatever happens it has been a great year. I promised myself I would not be as obsessive next year and just enjoy the ride.

Fenders

I thought I would keep my Stratus as light as possible. No rack fenders or fairing. I was hoping without adding my touring accessories I would be closer to a Lance Armstrong. That didn't happen. I am still slower than shit. I got tired of trying to avoid puddles and that cold splash of dirty water up my back and face. After a few months of trying to be someone I'm not, I picked up some generic fenders from my LBS. They look great, are rattle free, and light enough. This is how I ride. I see a fairing in my future.

Bookends

Counting Backwards

Today I thought I would do my favorite 50 mile loop. Decisions, decisions as to which bike to take.

I'm so confused.

I decided the bike with the least resistance. The Stratus with it's long stretched wheelbase and soft comfy ride is a great high miler bike.

The Limo

The day started cold in the 30's with light winds and blue skies. I dressed in my cold attire, wool socks, Snowhill warm pants, Snowhill warm shirt, hoodie, windbreaker jacket, warm gloves and my favorite wool Walz cap with earmuffs.

 Walz cap and Sporthill shirt.

 The morning started to warm and I thought I might be a bit over dressed. A needless concern as it turned out. 3 miles into the ride I met with a construction detour. Instead of back tracking and rerouting, it put me in a position to do my ride backwards. It seemed like a great idea and would give me a different perspective as if it was a totally new ride.

Seeing this on my left going downhill. A different perspective.

 I was going at a good pace and thought, WOW, how much easier it is this way. For all these years I have been doing this route the hard way. 30 miles into the ride things changed. You know those light winds I mentioned. They were now in my face. The temps no longer warming and instead were dropping. It seemed all grades were an incline. My speed dropped significantly. I even got a little disoriented and didn't know which way to go. Things look a lot different going the other way. The last 10 miles was work. I am not sure exactly why that was. Maybe I was not up for such a long ride. I haven't been doing the miles as usual. Maybe it was the cold. Two thing I learned, you can't dress too warm and think twice before doing those extra miles when riding on those cold  Fall/Winter days. Although my legs are aching and my body has finally warmed up it was great to get out.
KEEP RIDING!!!

Better Late Than Never

Life's obligations resulted in a late start for today's 30 mile ride. It was more like Summer than Fall. Temp 70, light winds and bright sunshine. Nice reprieve from the wind, rain and snow. My attire for the day, shorts and a T-Shirt. The scent of fresh pine was everywhere from the downed cut trees of the storm.  Tomorrow calls for rain. Wednesday looks better but a 20 degree drop in temperature. Probably no more days like this for the rest of the yr. The numerous puddles from the melted snow and the increasing wind and cold makes me seriously reconsider fenders and fairing for my Stratus..

3 Wheels Good

3 wheel stability is a big plus in this weather. Fenders also.

Short trip to the market

Storm 2

Looks like no riding today. 7 inches of the white stuff. Fortunately it will be warming and all should melt in 2 days. It is a heavy wet snow and caused additional downed trees and lines.  

Birch tree laying on ground

Birch tree on ground

Wires very low

Coming Along

Power has been restored to my home and most of the immediate area. My son, on the other hand, still has no power and my job, at a long term care facility, remains on emergency generator power. We are slowly returning to normalcy. Gas stations, stores and banks are open and people are returning to work. Schools are to open next week. It was great to see my neighbors open their doors and hearts to the kids Trick or Treating yesterday. My 4 yr old grandson had a ball going out in his Ninja Turtle costume. He came back hrs later with a bucket full of candy. Today I planned on taking my bike east to the Jersey Shore to see first hand Sandy's devastation. This past week had taken it's toll on my body and mind and I slept in 2 extra hrs. I was in no rush to get on my bike on this cold Fall day. It was well after 10 when I finally bundled up to vote. I was not sure how well I would fair for the 50+ mile ride to the shore. Instead I headed west were I new the roads would be open and I could forget life for a while. Although it was a nice relaxing 33 mile ride, the army of utility workers trucks, occasional hums of generators, down trees and lines, roof repairs and general cleanup was a constant reminder of Sandy's destruction.

Sandy

Day 7 Still no power. Getting updates from Twp, "they are working on it". Justin(son)was over yesterday for dinner and a shower in between shifts. He is still having trouble getting gas. My job still has no power, only emergency generator. They had to cook the residents oatmeal on potable gas grills outside. They try to give them at least 1 hot meal a day. We are all doing a great job pulling together and the residents are well cared for. Not sure what to do with grandparents. . They are holding up but are frail. Hope to get power soon as not sure how long the generator will last and a storm is predicted this week.
Jersey Strong!!!