Dolly's Bike Blog

Since we returned from Florida, I have tried to maintain a regular exercise schedule:

Monday evenings, cycle fitness class for 90 minutes
Tuesday early mornings, boot camp at church (55 minutes) – aerobics and weights, plus core
Wednesday evenings, cycle fitness class
Thursday afternoon, exercise class again, more core and weights, a bit less aerobics
Saturday morning, extra session of cycle fitness, if I’m not able to get outside

Then, weather permitting, I have tried to add some outdoor riding, though I absolutely avoid the roads if there is any snow or ice. Certainly don’t want a bad fall with less than 30 days until “take off.”

In the past two weeks, I have been able to ride outside three times, under sunny skies. Luckily on January 29th, we had a warm front and the temperature was in the mid- 50s. On Wednesday, February 6th, I rode 33 miles (temperature 31, felt like 28) and today I rode 39 miles (temperature 39, felt like 33). My toes seem to be the coldest, despite wool socks and shoe covers. I found a different pair of shoe covers which I will try tomorrow, if the rain holds off until later in the afternoon.

I certainly find I am not fast in the cold, maybe because I am so bundled up, or just so much energy is being used to try to keep warm. In any case, I am hopeful we won’t have these cold temperatures on our cross country trip. Chilly in the morning is one thing, but mid-day riding in the 30s just isn’t much fun.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Don and I returned to Carmel, having driven from The Villages to Atlanta on Tuesday.  After spending the night with friends Gary and Lisa Lancaster, we got an early start Wednesday in the rain.  The temperature fell as we headed north, with the showers continuing, fog, freezing mist on the trees, and similar unpleasant weather into Kentucky.  It was In the mid 30s in Indiana.  I certainly missed the 70 degree days in Florida.

We spent 17 days with our tandem buddies Ray and Linda Cannarella at their home (many thanks for the hospitality). I biked 15 of those days, 596 miles in total. The two off days we spent at Disney World, with Ralph and Karen Craft, Don’s brother and sister-in-law. On the tandem for 231 miles, the single for 365 miles. The roads in The Villages are wonderfully smooth; there is a golf cart/bike lane on most roads, also off road trails for carts and bikes. Outside of The Villages, the rural roads are rougher, though not as many potholes as here in Indiana. And I even found some hills for my workouts.

So back in Indiana, the temperatures are cold. This coming week, single digits are predicted. But today, with the sun shining, and a forecast in the 40s, I headed out: 45 miles! The first 30 miles with a tailwind or crosswind, I averaged 14 mph. Riding home into the wind (20+ mph, with gusts 30 mph), my average fell to 12.2. The good news was that I seem to have dressed correctly; I am enjoying my merino wool jersey.

On the cross country tour, I will likely encounter a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. I certainly do like the 70s with soft breezes the best!

When I first started “regular” riding in the early 1990’s, I sometimes rode with Terry, a very strong rider, who had tried RAAM (Race Across America). He always said “the wind is your friend.” I have never been totally convinced, unless I am enjoying the joyous push of a tailwind.

When we start riding here in Florida at 8:30 am, the breeze is frequently quite still. It picks up through the morning as we head home. By the time I am out riding on my single in the afternoon, the wind is over 10 mph. The route is circular, so I have partial headwind, partial tailwind. If I am lucky, the headwind is early, when I am supposedly fresh, then the tailwind pushes me home.

One of my biggest fears on the cross country, is the headwind, especially if it is a cold wind. I have found that wind so discouraging. Going cross country, if you encounter a headwind, you aren’t likely to later find a tailwind to blow you home.

Working with the warm Florida headwind is a good training exercise for me. And I’ll take the sunshine any day. Maybe by the end of my cross country, I’ll be able to say “the wind is my friend” from any direction.