Here it is, November, getting cold again, too cold to ride much. No
excuse... there are ways to keep yourself warm on the the bike. ---
One year, about 1974, Gasperini and I were first into Portsmouth
of those leaving at the official starting time in about 3:40. We
managed to drop the entire FBCI pace line leaders at those RR tracks
that cross 104 at a bad angle. The tracks were wet and when
everyone else slowed down to cross I sped up. So did Gasperini. How
do you spell "break-away"!! I was feeling very strong and not
tired AT ALL. This is because in May I already had 2,000 miles
logged in on the road. It was because I learned how to dress for
cold weather success. Use cheap pedals and wear water proof boots
and wicking socks, duh!, Next for the hands I used wool gloves
inserted inside wind proof oversized mittens. yeah! Then I used
wicking middle weight longjohns and a hooded sweatshirt with a
hooded wind breaker over it and/or a knit hat. Also when it was
really cold I used a knit scarf over my lower face. Now I have a
neoprene ski mask... whatever. Be sure you can open up clothing
layers as you warm up. I used to be sweatingly wet on a ride at 15
degrees, which was not a good thing actually. --- But a word of
caution, before you do this learn everything you can find about cold
weather injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia. Remember the
backpacker's say, "if your feet are cold, put on a hat." Your feet
are going at 80-100 rpms into the wet slush faster than the bikes 16-
18 mph, windchill factor here, so keep 'em warm by keeping 'em dry
for God's sake! --- Oh, are you tracking by logging into
www.presidentschallenge.org? If not, get with the program. ---
Oh, Gasperini and I switched off every 30 seconds and it took both
of us working together or neither of us would have made it. Years
later I confessed to him that if it hadn't have been for his pacing
me I'd have not made it. Then he surprized me by saying... "funny
thing, I thought the same way about you!" So don't slack off too
much just because it's a little chilly outside. Richard Beck in St.
Augustine FL. hehehe