History: Part II

Today the weather was nasty. This record snow is getting on my nerves. Of all of the things I miss about the west, snow is not one of them. Even so, I am drawn to ride in it, probably because I am always trying to reconnect with the former me. I ventured out today following another snowstorm. Ironically, there was less snow in many places due to the fact that it rained all night. What was really odd was that places that were frozen lakes the day before were now massive puddles and areas that were small rivers were frozen.

Drawing from the past couple of days failures and experiences I hit the trails. The sun was out and the sky was blue. The only problem was the 25 m.p.h. wind gusts made it about 16 degrees. As I cranked my way around the mud, slush, and snow I felt the sense of freedom that comes with bicycles. I only got about 1 hour in, which turned out to be enough because everything began to freeze up.

Then I noticed everything was freezing up and my derailure pulleys quit spinning. Every drop of crud thrown up from my bike tires was freezing to my shifting cable. Then I noticed that my shoe was collecting slush and freezing. Then I noticed that my bottom bracket was frozen.

It is not often that this part of Virginia gets snowfall like this and it would have been a shame to pass it up. Upon completion I poured some water on my bike to try to wash the crud off. That just created another layer of ice. Then I poured it on my shoes to try to get the frozen slush off.

I am sure you are asking, "why would this crazy person, who just complained about the ventilation on the shoes pour cold water on his feet?"

The solution is simple, high tech cycling gear in the form of grocery bags.

While I have spent an a fair amount of money on a nice jacket, gloves, and tights I neglected my feet. A problem with a simple solution which is reminiscent of my childhood in Montana. When the boots are soaked, use bread bags! Maybe I am not so soft.

There is fine line between hard and stupid! It is probably as ambiguous as my hairline.

Or the mud strip up my back.

History

It is not often that one can be a part of history. Even though I am one of countless millions participating in a historical snow storm, I am still part of history. Right??? I decided that I would further establish my place in history by riding my 29er at the battlefield in the snow. Let it be marked in the annals of history that at exactly 2:48 P.M. I was the only person to ride his mountain bike during a historical snow storm on the battlefield. Who knows, years from now I could join the ranks of such people as Lewis and Clark, John Colter, and that guy that did that amazing thing that one time. Children throughout the world may be learning about my exploits.
Probably not.

I used to ride all winter in Montana. I studded my tires with sheet metal screws and I wore jeans or shorts. I was tough and concerned about what people thought of me. I was anti-spandex/lycra and apparently had a rock hard tail bone and butt since I never wore padded shorts. I was all about riding, I did not concern myself with fashion (unless it involved spandex); instead of high speed technical riding gear I wore baggy shorts and wife beater tank tops in the summer.

It is funny how life changes. Take the picture below. Please note the backdrop says 1990. Also note that I am thin and have hair.

Emily and I are still standing next to each other; the four others have been replaced by four children. I have changed; I have lost the hair on top of my head. The good thing is that the geek remains. Even though I have hardened over the years, I have softened too. I now buy studded tires and padded shorts and riding has become more complicated as well.

I love bikes for their simplicity, so how has bicycling become more complex. Here it is, I am weak and somewhat concerned with apparel. The other day I wanted to ride in a snow storm (that hasn’t changed). The snow was beautiful, coming down in large flakes, reminiscent of when I was young and not concerned with the weather. Unlike the 19 year old with hair and a rock hard butt who just wanted to ride, I found myself sitting at the battlefield with no shoes. For those who are not familiar with the amazing world of bicycles, I buy pedals that require special shoes and cleats, much like a binding on a ski needs a boot. So I went back to work instead of riding with combat boots.

The next day I was determined to ride in the snow. Even though the large flakes were gone, there was still plenty on the ground. It was really wet so I went to change into my fleecy and windproof/waterproof tights (that I would have never been caught dead in when I was tough). One would think that a $125 windproof/waterproof tights would have some padding in the butt, but alas cycling has become complicated and it is necessary to wear a pair of padded shorts underneath. There I was with no padded shorts. Adamant that I was still capable of riding I left headed to the battlefield with no derriere support.

A couple of observations:

1. Summer riding shoes with lots of ventilation for the hot weather are surprisingly cold in the winter. Who would have thought that lots of mesh would allow a ton of slightly above freezing water/slush to saturate my socks?

2. Small seat with no padding in the cold equals frozen wedgies.

3. When the guy at the LBS (local bike shop) asks if you want wind resistant and waterproof gloves, say yes.

At the end of a 1 ½ hour ride, I was so cold and covered with slush/mud/snow/water that I quickly left without stretching. I don’t remember ever stretching after a ride. I do not ever remember a sore hamstring for three days either.