Sometimes You Just Have To Get On The Bike

I was really looking forward to a day off today because that meant that I could get in a long mid-week bike ride. A few days ago the forecast went from bad to better when Ida changed tracks a bit. So, I put out the word to ABRT for a fixie friendly longish ride for Wednesday. Either there are not too many Feds in ABRT or everyone else was looking at the weather forecast because I got virtually no response.

Well, sometimes, you just have to get on the bike, weather be damned. Sure it's almost always more fun to have people to ride with, but I just didn't want to miss the opportunity: kids in school, wife traveling... I geared up with my Pactimo "rain cape" and tried a new thing of plastic bags between my shoes and booties in the hope that would keep my feet from getting totally soaked. Uh, right. I was a little worried because I couldn't find my full leg warmers, so just put on the knee warmers and hoped for the best. I rode from home in West Annapolis and made a swing through the park and ride just to take a few pictures.

Hmm, no wonder I couldn't get anyone to join me. The ride out was pretty nice given that it was a tailwind. I looped around Gov. Bridge and St George Barber and after an hour with some headwinds it started to get cold. The last 1/2 hour was pretty chilly since it was a full-on headwind back. But I know it's almost over when I get to my favorite part of riding back to the house: the section on Ridgely Ave from Bestgate Rd. You come down the hill and over the Weems Creek Bridge. Ahh, home sweet home.

So how'd I fare on the cold, rainy ride gear? Defeat long sleeve base layer, check; Pactimo long sleeve jersey, check; Nike full finger dryfit gloves and balaclava, check. Pactimo rain cape, check. Legs/rear, wet and cold. Feet, wet, cold, numb. I think I need some long bibs that have more insulating properties for the 40-60 degree and wet rides. For booties, I am wondering if there is an insulated shoe cover that is 100% waterproof that is essentially a mini "drysuit" with neoprene seals to keep the water from running down your legs and into the shoes. All in all, and hour and a half, 30 miles. Perfect.