TOT 9: Many Are Cold, But Few Are Frozen*

Gatoradesicle.

It was about 12 at ride start on Saturday at 7:00 AM. We did about 2:30 of ride time at Patapsco; not super fast but not super slow, just kinda slow with not much in the way of breaks. I rode with Brad, who is newer than me to the TMR crew. Nice guy, was rocking the single track. I was slipping pretty good - needed to go with lower tire pressure maybe - and wasn't hanging too well toward the end of the ride. My big tactical error was not bringing hot gatorade in an insulated bottle, and some food; after about 90 minutes of steady work I REALLY needed some calories but didn't have any, what with the juice being frozen and no munchies in my pockets. It was still a nice ride, Keith R. bumped into us and we hung together for a while, up Vineyard which I've never cleaned in the winter time, so that was nice. Toward the end of the ride I was definitely getting frostnip on my gut and chest; shoulda stopped to put my windbreaker back on.

Lessons learned / clothing: regular weight bib tights, Terramar lightweight base layer tights; wicking (Starter) baselayer, Terramar poly baselayer, Performance wool/nylon blend jersey, cheapo windbreaker for the first 20 minutes of the ride. Fleece ear covers, fleece ear cover on the neck as a neck warmer, ski gloves. Woolly lumberjack socks layered over standard weight socks on standard shoes. Lesson learned - put the windbreaker back on if the tummy skin gets tingly.

Plans: ride a loop or loop+ real early at Rosaryville tomorrow, probably fixed, maybe I'll see how the Super Secret Technical Inner Loop rides fixed. Write a blog entry bitching about the DoucheRuts and how my back hurts tomorrow night. Dawn Patrol at Patapsco Tues. Maybe there's a Happy Hour Ride Weds? Maybe not. Maybe Dawn Patrol again Thurs. Rest Friday.

That is all.


* Reference to Matthew verse 22:14.