it finally warmed up a bit. we reached a balmy 35 degrees and the sun was shiny. the big problem was that it was WINDY. Straight out, killer windy. I didn’t feel much like riding. I felt like sitting around on the couch or taking care of business in the new cool office space. But the sun was shining and I felt like i’d feel better if i just went and did it.

So i suited up. No small matter in weather such as this, and took the Jabberwocky out for a spin. I climbed up Barnes hill faster than ever before, even with stopping for wardrobe adjustments. Spun down Sweet Road and Ripley Road. The sunny, slushy bits sucked. Slush was in my eyeballs, all over the front of me, sucking whatever warmth i had. 

The descent down Kneeland Flats is rough on a singlespeed. You can’t pedal but it’s not steep enough that you can really go fast. And it was right into that very stiff wind. It sucked. Although it was only an hour into the ride, that was it. No more. Done. Done done done done done. Riding in winter is stupid.

But before i called it a day, i thought maybe it was a good time to check out a short section of snowmobile trails. So at the intersection i pulled off and put away the music (so i could be sure and hear all incoming ‘mobiles) and let some air out of my tires for better traction. While I’m standing there taking care of this business, a group of snowmobilers come up. One of them pulls up right beside me and smacks my ass. Not making this up. Totally smacks my ass. I look over and he drives away. Why would you do that to someone you don’t know? I honestly don’t think i know anyone with a snowmobile. And who would he confuse me with? How many women are out riding mountain bikes in the snow? 

So i recovered from that and set off down the trail. It actually felt good to be off the boring road and onto something more interesting, if quite difficult. The warmer weather made the snow slushy and thick. Not easy. I was having trouble with the air pressure in my tires. Too low and they’d go flat. Too high and you couldn’t move forward. I had to pump up from flat about 4 times. Thank goodness for No-tubes though, they seated right up and I was back in business. 

After a little while it was just becoming more and more difficult. I made it to a little farm and post-holed off the snowmobile trail to the driveway and rode the hell away from there and back home. All in all, 1:45 today. Short, but the snow part was very high energy..

Jabber in the snow

Jabber in the snow