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The fight is on !

Old 03-12-22, 10:53 AM
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ZIPP2001
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The fight is on !

It's that time of year when winter and spring start to fight over the weather pattern. We get snow then some nice weather, then snow, and nice weather. This tends to go on for about a month. So, cycling for me hits its lowest point I don't want to damage the trails, so I stay off of them. The roads can get super dirty and wet, and I have to spend more time cleaning the bike after every ride so no fun there. This is why I tend to do some hiking on fire roads to keep some kind of fitness during this time of year and less biking. I did find a little window today and took the road bike out for only the second time this year, and oh how I look forward to winter leaving and long road rides in the near future.
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Old 03-12-22, 06:32 PM
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Last Saturday I went for a club ride in high-50s temps. Today the high temp was 18(F). I don't mind winter, but by mid-March I'm ready for it to end!
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Old 03-12-22, 06:51 PM
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Here in NE Oklahoma, we are alternating weeks of winter and late spring/early summer. While I prefer the warmer weeks for running and cycling, I'd be ok if Mother Nature just picked one and stuck with it.
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Old 03-12-22, 07:27 PM
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We have had roughly weekly snow storms since the start of February. The down side is that I have only done a few rides in the gaps where stuff melted off before the next event.

The upside is I’ve been going to the rec center most days and have improved my CV fitness in some ways.

I will still need a week or so to build back my SS climbing muscles once I can ride regularly but should be good with hard climbs as far as endurance goes. The beauty of SS is that it has no tolerance for weakness.

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Old 03-12-22, 08:07 PM
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My new-this-season winter bib tights and 2nd year wet&cold Fizik shoes aid me greatly in deciding to ride. Seattle area is almost always above freezing in the morning hours, so light winter gear has added greatly to riding days. And really keeps me warm on mid/upper 40* afternoons.
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Old 03-13-22, 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
Last Saturday I went for a club ride in high-50s temps. Today the high temp was 18(F). I don't mind winter, but by mid-March I'm ready for it to end!
It was a great winter trail riding season but now I'm ready for the road and winter to leave.
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Old 03-13-22, 06:49 AM
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18F degrees this morning. keeping up the leg work in the gym. great to see you out there
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Old 03-13-22, 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by ZIPP2001
It's that time of year when winter and spring start to fight over the weather pattern. We get snow then some nice weather, then snow, and nice weather. This tends to go on for about a month. So, cycling for me hits its lowest point I don't want to damage the trails, so I stay off of them. The roads can get super dirty and wet, and I have to spend more time cleaning the bike after every ride so no fun there. This is why I tend to do some hiking on fire roads to keep some kind of fitness during this time of year and less biking. I did find a little window today and took the road bike out for only the second time this year, and oh how I look forward to winter leaving and long road rides in the near future.
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Zwift, my friend. Zwift.
As a former central MA resident myself (Oxford), I know how frustrating this time of year can be weather wise. We moved to SC 7 years ago, and I'm already spoiled. Any day in the 50s seems like it's too chilly to ride outside (I have a bad knee that doesn't tolerate the cold very well) so I took to Zwift to keep riding during the "cold" months.
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Old 03-13-22, 09:01 AM
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When we lived in Bozeman, Montana, it snowed a foot in June, one year. The Cottonwoods don't bloom until June there, either - they know! In Fairbanks, Alaska, they bloom in May, because May is spring, and winter is OVER, with 18 hours of daylight, and climbing.
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Old 03-13-22, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Bald Paul
Zwift, my friend. Zwift.
As a former central MA resident myself (Oxford), I know how frustrating this time of year can be weather wise. We moved to SC 7 years ago, and I'm already spoiled. Any day in the 50s seems like it's too chilly to ride outside (I have a bad knee that doesn't tolerate the cold very well) so I took to Zwift to keep riding during the "cold" months.
No Zwift for me just doing other activities until the trails dry out, and roads are ridable. Should be back out on the roads in a couple days once the new snow clears. I can handle the freezing temps riding out on the trails during winter, just this little between season change..
Fun on the frozen lake.
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Old 03-14-22, 09:34 AM
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well it seems getting off the ice is a good idea. sad news in NH. a gentleman went down, in a shallow pond, in a p/u truck (w/ a snow plow attached) (as a passenger) & did not survive (while checking the ice for safety)

https://goo.gl/maps/diiQBzaDjBFy75ZR7

https://www.necn.com/news/local/man-...-pond/2697166/

https://www.wmur.com/article/man-die...3-22/39420540#

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...2366e4536.html

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Old 03-14-22, 10:03 AM
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I am right with you OP and find myself wandering out to my garage to put the garbage out and then spending 15 minutes just looking at and talking with my bikes. I'm so lonely for a ride outside - not on my trainer Zwifting (don't get me wrong, i enjoy it for what it is but it's not the same).

I love the idea of winter riding but not here in the urban locale I currently live in. Not sure about your city, but ours covers the road in salt so a real killer for the bike. I want to go up to some remote spot and find some nice trails to ride on or across a frozen lake, that looks like fun.

Wouldn't think about being on a lake at this time of the year though, too risky like the man mentioned above.
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Old 03-14-22, 10:57 AM
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80 degrees today. Perfect riding weather.
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Old 03-14-22, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Hondo Gravel
80 degrees today. Perfect riding weather.
we hate you in the nicest way possible
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Old 03-14-22, 12:56 PM
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Last Thursday’s snow melted off in about two days! This week will mostly be highs in the 60s (F) so I should be able to ride outside!

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Old 03-18-22, 06:01 AM
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50 degree temperature swings in 24 hours last week, yeah the fight is on! High 60s today in the city, I'll have my first ride of the year in short sleeves.

North...well, Upstate needs another couple weeks.
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Old 03-18-22, 07:03 AM
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It got up to about 16 Celsius (60ish Fahrenheit) yesterday here in my neck of the woods so was thrilled to get out on the bike and do a quick hour long ride. Felt soooo good.
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Old 03-20-22, 08:58 AM
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I would happily take some precipitation with the cold, as California is headed for a severe drought. Nice biking weather though! Can we trade a wee bit?
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Old 03-20-22, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCoot
I would happily take some precipitation with the cold, as California is headed for a severe drought. Nice biking weather though! Can we trade a wee bit?
I would gladly send some rain your way if I could.
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Old 03-22-22, 03:22 AM
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Last week was warm and beautiful here in Japan. The cherry blossoms started opening on Monday. Yesterday we went to the Tokyo Disney Resort and spent the day enjoying the rides, shows, and parades. Then today it gets cold and starts snowing again. We are driving up to the mountains tomorrow to Karuizawa, but it looks like I'll have to bring along snow chains to get up to the hotel.
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Old 03-22-22, 08:32 AM
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The Fight is On

I am suffering through another So Cal winter but grit my teeth and persevere on those 40 degree days.
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Old 03-24-22, 03:37 AM
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^^^ Yup!1 Last Sunday morning it felt cool so I had to thermal under the jersey because it was 50 as I rode through the orchards heading into Ventura. The beach was cool but nice .
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Old 03-24-22, 04:31 AM
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Our bi-polar weather patterns continue to happen. The simple first time century training schedule I'm going to do starts today with a short 10 mile "getting comfortable on the bike" ride. I'm not motivated to get out in the dark this morning with the temps in the 30s. I'm also half way through a half marathon training schedule I do twice a year with a local youth mentoring group. So the plan will be to get that ten miles in by taking the long way to that meetup tonight. Fortunately the first three weeks of the century training are all "getting comfortable rides" and I'm already comfortable.
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Old 03-28-22, 02:33 PM
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Nearing the end of March here in southern Ontario and old man winter has decided he's not ready to call it quits yet so he comes back with some snow, wind, cold temperatures and grey skies. So tired of him and riding indoors on my trainer I could scream.

Oh well, better see what Tour Zwift has to offer this week since I won't be riding outside
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Old 03-28-22, 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ZIPP2001
No Zwift for me just doing other activities until the trails dry out, and roads are ridable. Should be back out on the roads in a couple days once the new snow clears. I can handle the freezing temps riding out on the trails during winter, just this little between season change..
Fun on the frozen lake.
I spent much of the winter out on a lake like that, only I was catching fish. Can’t wait for next week’s warmth to come in.
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