Today I am grateful for wool glove liners, insulated boots, and helmuffs. I am also grateful for not wiping out on the icy parts on the W&OD trail. I'm not sure if one should traverse ice slowly or at speed; I chose slowly.
It was 27F with little wind when I left home this morning. My winter ride clothing choices are improving and I had a nearly perfect layering system today. Unfortunately and despite the vents on my helmet, my head is still getting too hot and my hair is pretty damp when I get to the office. I think my only option for keeping my hair dry is to go helmetless and that's not really an option if my husband and my lack of grace have anything to say about it.
Oh! Something cool (in the fun way, not the temperature way) happened this morning. I've never been able to ride hands free. I've lifted both hands off the handlebars for mere seconds, but that's as far as I've gotten. This morning, while pedaling through the neighborhood before the trail, I reached up with both hands to adjust my scarf. It wasn't until I put my hands back on the handlebar that I realized I'd just ridden hands free. Whoo hoo! I tried a few more times on the trail and kept losing my nerve, unfortunately. I guess, for me, hands free will have to be one of those things I don't realize I'm doing until I realize what I'm doing.
Winter riding is always a challenge for me although I love winter dress. We had a bike date Thursday night that resulted in us pedaling home around 8 p.m. in just over freezing temps. I have Ranodes (spellings??) Syndrome so by the time we got home my finger were aching to the point of me being unable to remove my bike helmet or take off my own coats. I had to hold a hot cup of water for 10 minutes. . . . definitely need wood glove liners and maybe a set of pricey electric gloves.
ReplyDeleteSweaty helmet hair is a challenge. My hair is thin and baby fine like. . . .a babies. I keep a blow dryer and baddle brush in my desk. I also have my hair cut in a light layered bob to keep styling needs and repair relatively simple.
Virginia is such a lovely state and I'm proud to say that I was born there. Lived in Blacksburg until the 3rd grade. Moving was highly traumatic, and I, unfortunately, resented the move well into adulthood. But if you moved from an area of the country with some the best school to a part of the country with among the worst, wouldn't you???
Oof, I'm so sorry to hear about your aching fingers. During a winter cycling seminar yesterday, several people mentioned hand and foot warmers which can be found right up near the registers at Home Depot for pretty cheap. That might be something to try before springing for the electric gloves.
ReplyDeleteI am completely in love with the Smartwool liners I found at REI. I'm going to pick up a second pair just in case I wear out the first pair. :)
I've got a hair dryer stashed in drawer, too. I feel a little self-conscious about blow drying and styling in the ladies room, but I'll just have to get over that.
Blacksburg is such a gorgeous part of the state. I'm sorry that you had to be dragged away from what was such a happy place for you.