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The temperatures were warm enough two weeks ago to go outside for some great rides. I was able to hit my favorite spots close to home. Now the temps are below 50 degrees which has been my cut off point. I do have a bike ready to head out on any warm day with clear streets.  One of my tour bikes lives on the trainer stand. The bike case straps on to the handle bars and holds my small tablet. I have found many videos on YouTube which riders share their POV. In the photo above, the riders were traveling from San Diego on the Pacific Coast Highway to go through LA. I am aware of the struggles biking in urban streets and stroads. This bike allows me to work on my spin cadence. The photo below is show the recumbent trainer which will give me more resistance during pedaling and I can get a more data about the ride.  I have been content using the Program 1 and Level 1. Many challenges ahead.  This is a rail trail going across a wooden train trestle. I have dreamed of riding in the scene above. A few years ago I was on the Avoca trail in Michigan and went across the longest trestle in Michigan. That view was super over the river and I went back and forth several times. You feel like a bird being so high or maybe it is a drone. Getting me out to Idaho for this scene is unlikely since I have many places to enjoy in Michigan.  Part of the Badlands Ultra ride of 750 km. I continue to choose to watch videos of the Badlands race in Spain. I am starting to recognize some of the landmarks. This is another example of a race being too far from home. I do not see many riders in my age group and realize that the physical demands would be too severe. I also need a good night sleep and do not consider it fun to be sleep deprived. I also like a soft bed. I can enjoy the ride without discomfort.  This is a scene from an ice criterium in Wisconsin. A criterium or crit is a bike race involving several laps around a closed course. Each lap may range from 400 m to up to 10,000 m. Such a race is something I would have enjoyed decades ago. This year I got rid of my fat tire bike. It was very fun to ride, but the cold air is too rough on my breathing. This was fun to ride along with the riders POV over the course.  I have been in weather conditions that are terrible and I am ready if necessary. Now I prefer more comfort.  This scene is in Scotland. The conditions of the trail was so rough that they needed to walk. Some situations I cannot handle anymore, like pushing the bike up hills and technical trail riding. Both of the riders in the video described the difficulty of their route choice and decided they needed to backtrack to a better route.  Seeing this scene emphasized their challenges and I was happy to watch.  Riding in the elevation of the Utah mountains would be too rough for me to breath. These segments help to keep me pedaling during the cold months and I can experience spots around the globe that I will never cycle or could not cycle.
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 This jacket was one of the first purchases I made as I started cycling again in 2011. I later bought the pants following my first tour of Trace the Mitten when I realized the perils of cycling in a downpour. At that time REI was naming their gear Novarra. It was recommended to me by the store employees and I am glad that I trusted their advice.  September 2011 at the conclusion of Trace the Mitten segment 1. I do not know exactly how many times I wore this jacket on rides over the last twelve years, but I will say hundreds and maybe close to one thousand. I would say that durability might be the first thing that comes to mind. The water and wind resistance are still effective.  I recently wore this to a football game at the Big House. The temps were in the mid forties and it was breezy with a light drizzle. After sitting and walking outside for hours I was still dry. I wore long johns on the legs. I do not like the fabric rubbing my bare skin. On the top I wore a fleece to help keep my core warm. I was pleased with my choice.  This was during the 2015 Great Lake Relaxed Tour. On this tour we had a full day of rain. This was a September and my temperature was comfy while riding. My head gear is a motel shower cap. It always gets a laugh, but my skull cap stays dry.  The ski goggles are for the frigid days. I used this coat on many winter rides. I used to ride in all temperatures. The coat kept me warm. The feet and hands are the hardest part to keep warm on winter rides. The wind rating is stated to 60 mph. I can believe it! I never felt the wind cutting through the fabric. Only at the coldest temperatures would I zip the pits shut. The pits were the only place to vent your heat build up and I found that comfortable.  At Stony Creek during a late winter ride. This photo shows my hydration on my back. This was a good way to get my hydration during the temperatures which would freeze my water bottle. The backpack against the fabric would stifle the air flow through the jacket and this would result in my back getting wet with perspiration. When I would stop for a little break, I would take the pack off and usually that would be enough to allow evaporation. You will need to manage that aspect and keep from chilling.  This photo is from a ride last week. This month had many days in the 50s and 60s and I decided to use this jacket. I liked it because it was very visible and I wanted to very obvious because not many riders were out. I also wanted extra wind protection. Whenever I felt things warming up, I would unzip the front a bit.. I never felt uncomfortable.
What jacket do you like to use in different conditions? |
AuthorI love my riding days and look to find interesting and informative items to share. 
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