Wind and Heat

Cold temperatures and long work days ensured that a full week went by without a ride.  Saturday came along with temps in the 40's.  I waited the cold out in the morning and was rewarded with 47 degrees after lunch.  I pulled on my fleece tights, a long-sleeved base layer, jersey, cycling cap and gloves.  My son wanted to ride a little with me so we did a lap around the neighborhood before I headed out on the roads.  We pedaled down our street and turned south on a drive that loops around the boarder of our community.  BAM!  We both were smacked in the face with a wall of wind.  My son nearly came to a complete stop.  I had to wait and wait and wait as he struggled to pedal through the force of the air.  The wind also sent a chill through me.  We slowly made it home and I pulled on a fleece jacket and set off.  I felt good and warm. 

Pulling out on to the street was exhilarating.  After a full week I was back in business.  I turned south and BAM - another wall of wind.  For most of the ride I battled with a hard head/cross wind that felt like someone was grabbing my saddle and pulling me backwards while knocking me from side to side.  I had decided to push it a little further this ride, but second guessed myself with all the wind.  I finally gritted my teeth and decided to keep pushing the extra few miles.  It was painful, but well worth it.

A few miles into the ride, with all the effort I was expending against the wind I began to get hot.  Very hot.  I realized what all the advice givers meant when they said they want to be a little chilly when they start a ride and that they quickly heat up.  Yeah - heat up is right.  I unzipped my jacket and at a red light, pulled off my cycling cap and shoved it into a pocket.  The breeze through the vents in my helmet felt great from then on.  However my arms were still smoking.  I now see the utility in a good pair of arm warmers that are quick off and easily stored in a jersey pocket if things start to warm up.  Lesson learned.  I ended at 12.2 miles - most of them very hard fought - in just under an hour. 

Friday

I learned my lesson and decided that if I wanted to make it home in time for an after work ride, I would need to leave a little early.  Friday provided the perfect opportunity.  Both the sky and my schedule were clear in the afternoon so I left an hour early and made it home by about 4:20. I had been seeing cyclist through my window all day and so I was excited to fit in a ride.  I pulled on my tights and jersey, which was all I needed for a ride in 58 degrees, and took off down the road. 

I had selected a longer route took me south a bit and let me take on some rolling hills early in the ride.  The rest of the way was pretty flat.  I rode harder than I would have liked the first mile due to traffic.  My thighs ached, but soon settled down after a hundred yards of recovery.  I found a great pace from then on and felt like I could go all day.  This route took me by fields of cut corn stalks that were flooded from recent snow melt.  The light was gorgeous coming down on the water casting orange and pink hues everywhere.  This is just as I imagined cycling to be!

Sadly, although I felt I could keep going, the sun began to set and I had to pedal home.  I am very pleased with my bike.  It has been everything I have wanted.  It is lightweight, stiff and goes wherever I point it. 

Disappointed

I had a very trying day at work yesterday.   As the end of the ordeal neared, I glanced outside and noticed the sun was out and radiating light onto everything.  I grabbed my iPhone and checked the weather - 48 degrees.  Downright tropical. My heart began to lighten.  I quickly wrapped up for the day, threw my coat over my shoulder, hustled down the stairs and blew out of the building into a new, bright and warmer world.  I just needed to make it home in time to hop on my bike and get a quick ride in before the sun got too low.  I could almost hear the click as my shoes engaged my pedals.  The drive home was quick, yet cautious.  I pulled into the drive, slammed the car into park, jumped out and let out a huge sigh of frustration.  The sun was nearing the horizon and the light beginning to dim.  No time to pull on some clothes, pull the bike off the wall and make even a 20 minute ride safely.  I opted for a shower to help cool the sting of disappointment. 

Gear

It is currently 18 degrees outside.  I've decided that 25 degrees is my low limit for temperature based on the gear I have currently.  Since I won't be logging any miles today, I've decided to review some of the gear I have for cold weather riding. 

Shoes: Shimano RO77
I love these shoes!  They are lightweight, stiff and comfortable.  I like the three easily adjustable straps for managing foot comfort before or during a ride.  They will be great in the summer with the air vent in the front, but right now they are a little chilly.  I definitely needs some toe or shoe covers.  Right now I am just layering socks which is a temporary and low cost solution. 

These shoes are deemed "entry level" and that is okay with me.  I am just getting into this sport and don't need super high end gear while I get going.  Being a family man with a one person income, I'm also on a tight budget.  I found these for about half off online.  Can't beat that!

Socks: Sugoi Liquigas Cannondale
Feel great and look great.  What more can I say.

Tights:  Pearl Izumi Elite Thermal Tights
I got these tights on sale at my LBS and I've been very satisfied.  They fit well and keep my legs nice and warm after I get up to speed.  I wear a pair of biking shorts with a chamois underneath for added comfort on the saddle.  I anticipate that these tights will take me through the spring and I can shed them in the summer.



Jersey: Liquigas-Cannondale Short Sleeve
I got this jersey in anticipation of spring/summer rides.  I layer a long sleeve base laryer under it for colder rides.  It is black with with and green accents so I look good and it matches my bike well.  I made sure there was room for a base layer underneath but still and nice fit.  I feel like a million bucks in this thing!  Let's be honest, feeling good about how you look is also part of what keeps you going.

I'm also looking forward to having it be more visible in warm weather rides.  My goal is to dazzle others with my sleek look to draw attention away from my poor riding skills.


Jacket:  Green fleece something
I have borrowed a green fleece from my wife. It is a tad too small, but I make it work.  It adds an extra insulating layer and seems to keep the wind out.  I will need something a bit bigger and a touch brighter for safety.  I'm think in of the Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell Jacket. 

Riding cap: Cannondale Winter Cycle Cap
My first test ride left my ears frozen and throbbing.  I bought this cap and have not had any difficulty with coldness or wind and my ears.  The salesman at my LBS suggested wool.  However, I could not find a wool cap with a brim like I wanted.  This one is polyester.  I chose it out of my love of Cannondale and some of its other features.  I have not been disappointed. I also like the matching green Cannondale logo embroidered in the back.  Nice touch!

Helmet: 2006 Trek MTB Helmet
An oldie, but a goodie.  I took the visor off and it works well.  It probably should be replaced soon given it is going on 7 years old.  It fits over my cycling cap well and does the protective job needed.  It is white and matches my bike well.

Glasses:  Cheap GAP sunglasses
I can't believe I just admitted that, but it is the truth and all I have right now. I got them for something like $10 over a year ago and they do the job of keeping the sun out of my eyes when I drive.  I need something designed specifically for cycling though.   My hopes are to get a pair of Uvex Blaze Multi-Lens sunglasses.  White of course.

Gloves:  Whatever I can find 
Just another thing I've temporarily "borrowed" from my wife.  I found her winter gloves and they have been keeping my hands from freezing on very short rides.  I need something more insulating for longer outings.

Most of this gear comes by way of my LBS.  I took my oldest son with me and he had fun for the first five minutes until we ducked into the changing room to try things on.  He seemed a little sheepish about being with his dad who was taking clothes off.  I was perplexed because this is the boy that will run in on you while you are in the shower or changing clothes without a second thought.  He did do a great job fetching me different sizes and I let him pick out some things to look at once were done.  He was interested in the kid's bikes and wanted to know which one would be best for riding in the snow.  I told him that his current bike was perfectly adequate and that he should try it out when we got home. 

My son took my up on my suggestion and took his bike for a spin in the snow.  He ran back inside and exclaimed, "Dad, my bike is a snow bike!"  Who knew?  He was thrilled.  I decided that I needed my wife to buy into the clothes that I had just bought and pulled them on for her.  I saw a look in her eyes that I have not seen in a long time.  It sort of made me blush.  She approved. 

I think I have the right gear for me: function with fashion with a dash of sex appeal. Next time I will take my wife with me instead of my son to try on new cycling duds.  Who knows what might happen!

Day 1

It was the first day of the new year and today was as good a day as any to begin my cycling lifestyle transformation.  Never mind that it was 25 degrees outside.  The roads were relatively clear.  I had the day off from work and I needed a break from the unending questions from my kids.  I geared up (more to come on that), pulled my bike off the garage wall, clipped in and set of on my first ride.

I noticed a couple things immediately:
1.  I was cold!  Even with insulated tights, several layers, a riding cap etc, I was chilly.  My gloves were sub par and I couldn't find my glasses.  My eyes began to water as soon as I got up to speed. 

2.  I am more out of shape than I thought.  I barely got out of the neighborhood when my thighs began to burn.  

I did a short 3 mile circuit and pulled back into my driveway still able to feel 3/5 five fingers on each hand.  My tears were not frozen but they were sluggish in their decent down my cheeks.  Average speed: 12.3 mph. 

Later on in the day, I really needed a break from the kids after my wife spent a few hours out shopping.  I suited up again and rode the same loop.  Still 25 degrees.  I did find my glasses so that helped keep my eyes from burning and watering the whole time.  My thighs felt the same.  Overall though, not a bad day one.  A little under 6 miles at an average of about 13 mph in 25 degree weather.  It is only supposed to get colder and seeing that it is already getting dark by the time I get home from work, this might be the only ride before the weekend. 

Based on these two rides today I have decided I need the following:
Better gloves
Better glasses
Cycling Jacket
Toe warmers

The Purchase

I awoke with greater clarity than the night before.  What did I really want? The CAAD 10.  Where could I get it?  The shop with Diane.  I thought about the long months of going without lunch, scrapping and saving and yearning to be united with that wonderfully worked aluminum.  Was I going to let one bad experience stand in the way of my dream?  I decided that I wasn't.

I took my wife to dinner than night.  She deserved it.  We had Italian with a creme brulee dessert that was to die for.  I thanked my wife for her sound counsel as always.  We left the restaurant after enjoying a wonderful meal sans kids and drove down the street to the bike shop.  I decided this was the night that all my dreams would come true.

We walked through the sliding glass doors hand-in-hand.  I felt like I might need some support if things got a little rough.  I went straight for the CAAD 10 and pulled it off the rack before anyone could say anything.  Another saleswoman (not Diane) approached me with the same "What can I help you with?"

"I would like to look at this CAAD 10" I firmly stated.

The saleswoman (we'll call her Sandy) smiled and replied "okay, have you been measured?"

Have I been measured?  I carefully choose my words.  "I have been measured" I answer without revealing what the previous super scientific computer aided measurement was.

"Great!" She replies, "Go ahead and climb on."

I throw my leg over the white top tube.  The seat is a little low.  Sandy adjusts it with her wrench.

"That looks great!" she says.  "How does it feel?"

"It feels great" I reply with great satisfaction.  From the corner of my eye I can see the Synapse watching.  I mentally stick my tongue out mockingly.

"Would you like to test ride it tonight?" Sandy asks.

"I would love too!"

Sandy leads me outside to the test ride course.  She orients me and lets me take off.  The first pedal stroke is wobbly and I almost steer into the wall.  The next stroke is more confident and I pick up speed.  I run through some of the shifting.  It is smooth and reliable.  I bank left into the first turn hard.  Stiff and controlled, just like I knew it would be. I accelerate into the straightaway then brake for a sharp u-turn.  All I need is one circuit to determine this is the one for me.  I pull up along side Sandy.

"How does it feel?"  She asks.

"Perfect.  I think this will be Merry Christmas to me!"

Sandy is stunned.  "You want to buy it?" she says with a little disbelief in the brevity of the ride.

"I do" I reply in a way like committing to a marriage more than a purchase.

Sandy tires to sell me on some pedals and other accessories that I already have but I decline politely.  She walks me and the bike over to counter, sends the bike to maintenance and rings me up.  I swipe my card and feel the rush of excitement continue to pulse inside of me.  Everyone of the sales people congratulate me on the purchase of this bike.

"She's a beauty!" one notes admiring the bike.

"You will really enjoy that one" another remarks.

Diane is not there to weigh in on my final decision.  I'm glad.

A few minutes later, my name is called and I pick the bike up from maintenance and leave the store with my wife.  I'm no longer holding her hand, but gently directing the bike to our van. 

The Dilemma

So I know which bike I want.  I know my size (and it is not 56 cm).  I know one shop in town has the bike in my size all ready to go.  The dilemma is that I have a hard time buying the bike from a place that just acted like I didn’t exist.  If they don’t want to listen to me and just ask me about how much running I USED to do and exclaim “I have the perfect bike for you!” then I don’t want to have anything to do with them.  I told my wife about it that night after we put the kids down to bed.  She responded to the tale with “ I just can’t believe that” and “what nerve!”  I don’t know if she really felt that way or was just being supportive, but I appreciated the support and felt better.

Over the next few days I started to stew.  Was I being too harsh?  Had I taken Diane’s approach the wrong way?  My heart was beginning to soften but there was an imp inside of me that wanted vindication.  In some free time I looked up reviews online and found that others had had nearly identical experiences as I had.  I felt emotionally justified.  I had not been over sensitive!  Others had felt the same way too!  That night I returned home and shared my findings of that day with my wife.  She lovingly validated all my concerns, but when I mentioned my dilemma she wisely counseled me to not let this get in the way of getting the bike that I had worked so hard for.  She left it with “it’s up to you though.”  I have a good wife.

I considered my options as I tried to fall asleep that night.  Do I honor my offended feelings and forgo buying my dream bike in time for Christmas?  Do I swallow my pride and humbly return the the shop?  Do I fall somewhere in the middle and march back in and demand to test ride the CAAD 10?  Maybe a good night's sleep would help.  It did and the solution was clear the next morning.