Expect the ride will be on for 1/23/11.

Will be fun.

JP

did anyone do this yesterday? if so, how was it?

it was nasty outside.

I was late. By an hour. My apologies to all.

It wasn't nasty out at all. Kissena thermal jacket, one sleeveless base layer, two long sleeve base layers, vest, roubaix shorts, windfront tights, winter gloves, Lake waterproof mtb shoes, neck warmer, ear band.

For the second day in a row, I brought out my cx bike. It wasn't necessary in NJ, though I chose to do River Road. And even with the cx, I decided the road wasn't safe enough. The drop from the gate at Englewood Cliffs going north was icy and hard. I made it down the hill, slipping much of the way, and decided I shouldn't continue northward. I climbed back out, went down to West NY and hit the steep hills there.

I wish I had been there at 9. Going out to Rockland Lake would not have been a problem.

JP

Unintentionally hilarious quote of the day:


"It wasn't nasty out at all. Kissena thermal jacket, one sleeveless base layer, two long sleeve base layers, vest, roubaix shorts, windfront tights, winter gloves, Lake waterproof mtb shoes, neck warmer, ear band."

Sounds like a loverly day. Anytime you have to put on 4 layers in addition to a thermal jacket, you know it's cold. I guess JP lives by the expression, no bad weather, just bad clothing. I gotta get me some windfront tights...any recommendations?

Marc "my junk gets cold" Bertucco

When my face feels like it's getting sandblasted and I'm riding 10mph on a flat road, that's when its too cold.

I've built up a decent supply of clothing over the years, but really, most can get outside in the cold fairly simply. Baselayers can be had for cheap. You can skip the thermal jacket and go with a windbreaker over a long sleeve jersey. I've found a cheap, fleece neck warmer is pretty important to the warmth equation. The right ski gloves make a big difference.

As I've written before many people overdress their feet, get sweaty feet and then have them freeze. If the torso is pretty warm,the feet typically have an easier time of it. The Lake shoes are new to the wardrobe, and seemed not quite enough for the conditions. Patrick, Nate, and a few others have told me the Lake winter mtb shoes are quite warm. I think my regular winter setup, wool socks, road shoes, booties might have been more comfy.

The one thing with all the layers is that I feel obligated to get out for at least two hours, otherwise the ratio of time spent dressing and undressing to riding seems wrong.

JP

Posted By: mugwumpWhen my face feels like it's getting sandblasted and I'm riding 10mph on a flat road, that's when its too cold.

Thanks, I had been looking for a way to describe how this morning's commute felt

Just reading this discussion makes me feel cold. instead of riding outside, I got on the trainer and watched Smokey & the Bandit, on Netflix. One nice thing about that movie, was there were quite a few nice roads, that I think would be fun to ride featured in the movie.

When one's face feels like it's getting sandblasted, it's time to wear a Balaclava.

i've grown a beard

it makes a BIG difference in the cold, even at this 3-week "rude teenage facial hair" stage

Peoples,

Most of us have spent most of the winter riding indoors and in small groups. That is going to change abruptly the first weekend of March.

So, as a re-acquainting with teammates, a re-acquainting with the glories of pack riding, a chance to ride together, a chance to work on our riding and racing skills, lets get everyone, I mean EVERYONE out for the Kissena Sunday Ride the last Sunday of February. That is 2/27/11 for those who want to mark it on your calendar.

Clear your day, and show up. We'll start as one big group, work on some race skills mid ride, and then break up into groups to get in some quality hammering.

Unless there's significant snowfall Saturday, the ride is ON!

Remember that some will be taking up the Super Bowl Sunday Century.

JP,
This is an awesome plan.
Gideon

The ride is ON. Weather should be nice, though the roads may be damp.

This is also the start of the Super Bowl Sunday Century. The two groups will start together and split off around Sparkill or Blauvelt.

We're running out of weekends before the race season. Come on out, see your 'mates and put in some miles together. Socialize, push each other, improve.

JP

Let's have a head count. I'm planning on coming, though probably only as far as Nyack. Fenders would seem an advisable accessory. I'm also bringing a spare pair of gloves to use on the way home.

I'm going to have to totally agree with JP (for possibly the first and only time in my life) about the importance of getting out for this group ride. Especially if you are one of the folks on the club who wants to more of a "elite racing team" approach to the 2011 season.

We need to meet each other. We need to ride together. I know all of the cat 2s and many of the cat 3s, but I'm sure there are many of you that I don't know so well.

Who's fit? Who's getting fit? JP and I have been racing/riding together for like 150 years, and so I pretty much know that he will have good to very good legs for the Spring series, and he knows I will have okay to good legs and probably spend most of my time working for him or another Spring Classics kind of guy. We need to communicate well and that starts with this ride (if it hasn't already).

It would be great if we had enough representation from all the racing categories so we could break into our racing category groups. For the Team Squiggle series there are categories for cat 5s, 3/4s, 35+, and 1/2/3s.

i intend to come. I am sadly without fenders, so I will hang towards the back, so I don't spray everybody with road grime.

I'll be at the back with Dan.

I'll be at the gwb at 9... With fenders :-)

Patrick

Seems like we will have 2 nice days this weekend to ride. Anyone planning on being out both?

Mike, I'll be out both, but can't commit to a time Saturday. I'll be at the bridge 9am Sunday for Kissena Traditional.

Saturday (the 12th) should be a beautiful day, but I have child care responsibilities in the morning.

I plan on riding early afternoon - thinking of leaving the GWB at noon - perhaps I can leave earlier. I would like to put in three hours if not more. If you are in a similar boat, or are working late friday or are too hung over saturday morning, join me! If this works for you let me know.

Patrick

Patrick, 12noon would work for me also. Can do a bit earlier as well

anyone up for midweek tuesday or wednesday rides? i live in the burbs, but could meet in piermont and roll out to the orchards or even bear if you're game.

Folks, lets have a presence out on this ride this Sunday. The season starts in four weekends.

How long are folks planning on riding?

Wojclech

Looks like I will be riding from manhattan at 12:15 and reaching the gwb at 1pm. Let me know if you are still interested and we can exchange cell numbers.

Patrick

Hey guys. Look I'm on the forum.

I'm riding from queens to PP saturday am. Rolling out of the house near 8, be at prospect 830. Ride for 2.5 hrs, need to be back by 1130 at the latest. Anyone else want to come?? Hit me up either on the forum or privately, ilovetoracecross@gmail.com

myles

I am guessing usual turn around points, Sparkill and Orchards?

Welcome to the forum!

I will join you. 8:30 at Grand Army? Looking forward to some nice weather.

I'm on here too now. I'll see you guys there.