I was looking forward to today's high of 34°. After scraping the frost off of the windshield so I could drive down to the local coffee shop, and after suffering through a couple of hours at the shopping mall, I was finally ready to get all layered up in winter cycling gear that hadn't seen the light of day since last March. I'd been hoping for a nice sunny day, but the best I could do was an overcast grey sky and blustery wind. Fortunately, I was desperate. After three days off the bike I was up for just about anything.
As headed out around 2 pm, I was surprised that it didnt' feel nearly as cold as I'd been expecting. I rode the same route I've ridden before, crossing I-80 and heading for Sugarbottom road. My out and back 34 mile ride included some nice rolling hills through the countryside around Iowa City. Considering the conditions, I wasn't planning on a hard workout or anything, so I kept the effort level under control and enjoyed the uniformly grey scenery.
We made it over to the Jingle Cross race site just in time for the start of the elite women's race at 6:30. I was amazed at how long and difficult this course looked. It must have been at least two miles around and included what looked like a really hard bit of climbing up the side of a big hill. We stayed just long enough to see the first lap of the elite men's race before heading back home in search of warmth. It looked like a fun race, and I think I'll try and get over there at some point tomorrow.
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