Some photos of last night's bike ride

yabba · Nov 24, 2020

Theodore said:
where's that, yabba

Harms woods, a small (like ~1 square mile) forest preserve in Niles/Morton Grove, about a 25 min drive from home; it's the closest single track trails to where I live. I headed out this morning thinking I was only going to do a quick 5 or 6 miles, but it was so gloriously wet, muddy, and deserted that I stayed out for 12 miles. Normally for going that far or further I drive ~ an hour south to Palos (a much bigger set of forest preserves that's the only nearby single track with actual hills), but that takes getting up much earlier to avoid traffic, etc

nuke_diver · Nov 24, 2020

might have been another coldest ride yet. nws and wunderground say it was high of 43. weather.com forecasted 47. might not have done it with 43 forecasted but I just had cold toes. just noticed i had a stick in my spokes that was probably there for 20 miles. *spits*

I'll go in those temps but I find my legs never really get warm and if I have to stop for a long light I feel I'm tightening up. I went at 36 while up in the PNW and while my legs were fine (though not warm) my hands got pretty cold even though I had gloves on. The next few mornings here (Cali) are supposed to be in the upper 30's in the am but temps warm up fast so it's always a fine line between wearing not enough and freezing for the half the ride and on all the downhills or wearing too much and sweating like mad on the uphills :shrug:

I don't know how the guys wearing jackets/gloves/long pants while the temps are in the 50's manage not to melt

Theodore · Nov 24, 2020

yabba said:
Harms woods, a small (like ~1 square mile) forest preserve in Niles/Morton Grove, about a 25 min drive from home; it's the closest 'woods' to where I live. I headed this morning out thinking I was only going to do a quick 5 or 6 miles, but it was so gloriously wet, muddy, and deserted that I stayed out for 12 miles. Normally for going that far or further I drive ~ an hour south to Palos (a much bigger set of forest preserves that's the only nearby single track trails with actual hills), but that takes getting up much earlier to avoid traffic, etc

yabba's a mudder. his mother was a mudder.

yabba · Nov 24, 2020

Theodore said:
yabba's a mudder. his mother was a mudder.

She ain't heavy, she's my mudder

prettttttty prettttttty prettttty wet, but not really all that muddy, just enough to keep everyone else away which is the main reason mud is fun

Theodore · Nov 25, 2020

nuke_diver said:
I'll go in those temps but I find my legs never really get warm and if I have to stop for a long light I feel I'm tightening up. I went at 36 while up in the PNW and while my legs were fine (though not warm) my hands got pretty cold even though I had gloves on. The next few mornings here (Cali) are supposed to be in the upper 30's in the am but temps warm up fast so it's always a fine line between wearing not enough and freezing for the half the ride and on all the downhills or wearing too much and sweating like mad on the uphills I don't know how the guys wearing jackets/gloves/long pants while the temps are in the 50's manage not to melt

Not that familiar with morning and not encouraged by what I've heard. I've been starting 12-something lately.

nuke_diver · Nov 26, 2020

Theodore said:
Not that familiar with morning and not encouraged by what I've heard. I've been starting 12-something lately.

I like the mornings since there are less people generally and I can get done and still have the rest of the day. I ride better on an emptier stomach I think

Theodore · Nov 27, 2020

nuke_diver said:
I like the mornings since there are less people generally and I can get done and still have the rest of the day. I ride better on an emptier stomach I think

yabba · Nov 27, 2020

In today's grey skies/air and mud news:

excellent misty haunted forest vibes this morning

nuke_diver · Nov 28, 2020

Theodore said:

Yup I went once after lunch...felt sluggish all ride and it wasn't a very long or hard one. My morning routine is a bowl of cereal, walk the dog for ~1 hour, come home grab a banana or snack bar and ride 2-3 hours come home in time for lunch. Harder to do longer rides in the winter since it's dark and cold early in the am. I dislike having to wear a bunch of clothes to stay warm for the first half of the ride only to have to take them off for the second.

Theodore · Nov 28, 2020

Into the great wind open. *spits*

Been wanting to do a ride with 4-6 more substantial wood deck bridges but that's a 70-80 mile ride and it hasn't come together. Found this little one on goog maps. gnarly deer hide floating next to it.