Winter Wind

So for the record, December 19 was the first day I resorted to the riding jacket and shoe-covers.  I was glad I did, too.  While the 38-degree morning temperature might have been OK on some days, the 15 mph north wind made it feel a lot colder.  Despite the Facebook Event I'd sent out a couple of days earlier, there wasn't anyone waiting for me up on the levee at 6:30 am.  I was not even slightly surprised by that. Perhaps if I'd done a good long hard training ride on Sunday I would have skipped riding this morning. In actual fact,  however, I'd spent most of Sunday looking out the window at the incessant rain while sitting on the couch eating anything that didn't run away when I reached for it. I was so tired of watching Hallmark Christmas movies that I went to bed around 8:30.  I'm sure the guy eventually ended up with the girl and she decided not to take that great job offer in New York or marry the rich guy or whatever in order to stay in the cute little country town with the white Christmas and Santa's sleigh, and reindeer, and where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.

My mellow Monday ride wasn't quite as mellow as usual.  With what seemed like mostly crosswinds and headwinds the whole time, maintaining 19 mph took a bit of effort. After ten miles or so the cold was starting to get to my fingers and toes, but I was determined to at least put in the miles this morning, even if I did occasionally see 13 mph on the computer, which I did. On the plus side, the levee bike path was practically deserted. I saw a few of the regular dog-walkers, and one cyclist on her way to work, but there were long sections where I could comfortably put my head down as I plowed into the wind.

There's an article in VeloNews today about a survey and prospective study that Chris Stockburger, who is now an orthopedist, is doing out of Wash. U. on cycling related injuries. Should be interesting. if it's done right.

So it looks like I have, at best, four more riding days this year.  I'll probably end the year with something like 11,700 miles, more or less, depending on the weather and other complications. I missed a chunk of riding in January when I got sick and was off the bike for almost a week, and then a few weekends were lost due to officiating duties or travel to collegiate races or whatever, so I can't complain.  I do wish more of those miles had been in races, though.