Practicing for the Cold – February 24th Bike Ride
When I started on today’s ride the warmed me but as the ride progressed the clouds increased and it got chilly when I hit the shade or rode into the 14 mph ESE wind (18 mph gusts too). I dressed like yesterday with 2 long sleeve jerseys, leg warmers, shorts and my windbreaker jacket. It felt cooler than the 70 degrees on the home weather station when I got home; it must have been the wind. Apparently the other bikers I saw wanted to brave the chill too and they appeared to dress lighter than me.
While I rode I thought about what I might wear this Saturday at the Gator Ride. I checked my closet and the insulated underwear I use to wear is long gone. I did notice that my leg warmers keep my legs warm even in the wind and lower temperatures so maybe they will be enough for my legs. The upper body is another issue. I have a long sleeve knit jersey that I wear when it is chilly so if I add 1 or 2 other long sleeve jerseys that might be enough underneath a windbreaker jacket with elastic sleeve closures. The forecast has not changed much from yesterday.
Baytown Weather Forecast 2-24-2013
Today I rode south but I varied the route slightly by staying on W. Lake Houston Parkway until Aerobic Dr. I turned left into Walden and back to my typical route onto Huffman. At the corner of FM1960 and Atascocita Shores Drive I saw the first 2 bicyclists. The third one was on Fairlake Drive on the east side of Lake Houston south of FM1960. These riders must have a higher threshold of cold than I do. They wore short sleeve jerseys (the first 2) or a long sleeve jersey (the 3rd one). I hear done of the first two let a loud whew when they made the turn from FM1960 onto Atascocita Shores.
Tomorrow still calls for a 50% chance of not raining so I might get to ride. Today’s route was 31.33 miles bringing the February total up to 282.02 miles, 87 short of the 369 goal. I was somewhat surprised that this week’s total miles is 99.88 from three rides. I think my goal is reachable but I will need some help from the weather. Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com.
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