An interesting comparison between winter riding in the north and riding through the winter in the south is the duration of the cold in the different locations. There are regions of our country that have only two seasons...winter and 4th of July. I cannot imagine riding through winters in Minnesota or North Dakota. However, I can only speak of my personal experience. I was raised in Virginia which is colder than Pensacola, but not near as cold as northwest Ohio where I spend a dozen years before moving to the Gulf Coast.
The winters in Virginia usually start in mid to late November. It is rare to see a white Thanksgiving, however the temps are such as to make cycling, shall we say, uncomfortable. This discomfort usually lasts until early to mid March before you can finally break out the bibs again. Most hardcore cyclists will ride through the winter with occasional days on the indoor machine. If you make the decision to not ride when the temperatures are below 40s, you will most likely have four to five months off each year.
Ohio, on the other hand, is brutal. I know, I know, some of us think we are animals for riding when the the thermometer drops below 50 and consider ourselves hardcore if we are out on a ride in the low 40s. However, consider our northern brethren, who on a daily basis for months are out on the roads in the 20s and even teens! You talk about pain...when it is that cold, it just hurts to be on the machine. But what choice do they have? Ride the indoor trainer until your brain becomes hamburger or put on just about every piece of winter riding clothes you own and head out for some suffering.
Winters in northwest Ohio start in October. Every year it snowed in October. Maybe not a lot, but enough to keep you off the roads. And it got cold. And talk about wind. So, winters started in October and I don't think I ever broke out the shorts before late April or early May...there may have been an exception, but it was rare. In fact, I remember one year it snowed 3 inches on the 5th of May. Snow for Cinco de Mayo! Therefore, if you're a rider in the beautiful regions of northwest Ohio and you have decided not to ride when it drops into the 40s, you may want to consider another sport. Chances are you will be riding less than 6 months a year.
Pensacola however, is a delight when it comes to winter riding. Sure we have days like today, lows in the 20s and highs in the 40s...and we can get some wind like yesterday. Cold and windy, it happens. As most of you know, we may have a few days in November and maybe a couple of weeks in December and January that are in the 40s. Usually by mid to late February though we're back to highs in the 60s and 70s. But, here's the difference, the duration. Up north, 6 months or more. Here, maybe 2 months. Maybe it's cold today, but wait a day or two and you're back in the saddle again.
So, we may complain about the chilly temps for a few days, (the Wednesday before Christmas we were riding in short sleeves and shorts). Yes, maybe we can't ride everyday this week, but we can ride most days...and we won't be off for months! Maybe a few days or a week or two before the temps are back to a (somewhat) comfortable level. In fact, it looks like 60s for Wednesday high.
Could be a lot worse. Anybody up for a road trip to Ohio for a week of winter riding? Not me...but, I'll be happy to give you some directions.
See you out on the road, (soon),
Bob
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Ride Schedule Change for Thursday and Friday
We have decided to change the start times of the scheduled rides on Thursday and Friday of this week. The original times were 8am. However, after checking the weather forecast and discussing with those of you who have, in fact, been riding, we decided to move the start times to 1pm for both days. This will also enable several of you who have mentioned you are getting off at noon on Friday to participate as well. Please see the Rides Calendar at the bottom...well, you know where it is!
Everyday this week we have had some hilarious antics within the small peloton. Good fun! Today we did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. The winter cast of usual characters included; Coolio, the elder half of The Prenti, Foxinator, Tom Hereford, (who Coolio has nicknamed "Medivac"...don't ask) and yours truly. Actually, I was wondering about the Medivac nickname myself. But, when Tom showed up to the ride today wearing a jersey with large letters on the back reading, "Please Don't Run Me Over", well, I figured there may be a good reason for the nickname.
Coolio and the Foxinator went at it on almost every hill with Bobby winning most of them. (I'm sure he was anxious to redeem himself after the spanking he received at the hands of the big Clydesdale boy this past Monday on La Petit Alpe Duez. (See previous posting for the story) Don't get me wrong, the big boy won his fair share as well. However, on the most fought for summit the two amigos were neck and neck when, out of nowhere comes the elder half of The Prenti! He blew past them like a driveby egging on prom night and won the climb, thus possessing, albeit temporarily, the Polka Dot Jersey. This was met with great amusement by all but the little climber who seemed a bit, shall we say, peeved?!
However, by the end of the day, the Crusty Climbing (Donut Consuming) Curmudgeon had locked up enough points to secure the coveted King of the Mountains title once again. Congratulations Coolio!!!
Great fun on an absolutely beautiful cycling day! Tomorrow and Friday are forecast to be a bit chillier but come on out for some exercise before the feasting of the Holiday Weekend!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Everyday this week we have had some hilarious antics within the small peloton. Good fun! Today we did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. The winter cast of usual characters included; Coolio, the elder half of The Prenti, Foxinator, Tom Hereford, (who Coolio has nicknamed "Medivac"...don't ask) and yours truly. Actually, I was wondering about the Medivac nickname myself. But, when Tom showed up to the ride today wearing a jersey with large letters on the back reading, "Please Don't Run Me Over", well, I figured there may be a good reason for the nickname.
Coolio and the Foxinator went at it on almost every hill with Bobby winning most of them. (I'm sure he was anxious to redeem himself after the spanking he received at the hands of the big Clydesdale boy this past Monday on La Petit Alpe Duez. (See previous posting for the story) Don't get me wrong, the big boy won his fair share as well. However, on the most fought for summit the two amigos were neck and neck when, out of nowhere comes the elder half of The Prenti! He blew past them like a driveby egging on prom night and won the climb, thus possessing, albeit temporarily, the Polka Dot Jersey. This was met with great amusement by all but the little climber who seemed a bit, shall we say, peeved?!
However, by the end of the day, the Crusty Climbing (Donut Consuming) Curmudgeon had locked up enough points to secure the coveted King of the Mountains title once again. Congratulations Coolio!!!
Great fun on an absolutely beautiful cycling day! Tomorrow and Friday are forecast to be a bit chillier but come on out for some exercise before the feasting of the Holiday Weekend!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Three Amigos at it Again
The weather was absolutely beautiful yesterday afternoon as the Three Amigos headed out for a ride from Coolio's house. The pace was easy as right out of the gate we had to wait for Bobby because there was a lawn care guy blowing leaves. It seems that the Crusty Climbing Curmudgeon didn't want his bike to get any dust on it...go figure. We stopped by Firestone and Summit at 1:15pm but no one was there so we continued on.
We initially had a bit of trouble in deciding what route to take so we kind of putz around the neighborhoods of eastern Pensacola. We finally choose to head towards Ellison Park and then loop back around the upper Figure 8 for somewhere around 30 total miles. All we're agreeable so the pace quicken a bit.
Coolio was in one of his bantering moods as only the Masterbanter can be. If you've never ridden down the road listening to this mouth spouting, you don't know what you're missing...uh, kinda. It is a mixture of boasting, badmouthing, complaining, whining and a joke or two thrown in just for the fun of it. It used to annoy me, but now I just egg him on. Tim Fox did as well!
After a number of miles and a larger number of comments from the Mouth of the South, the Foxinator had just about his fill and threw down the gauntlet! He challenged the little climber to a race to the top of La Petit Alpe Duez! (For those of you who have no idea the location of this climb, it is the back entrance to Ellison off Scenic Highway.) It is a beast. Generally considered the steepest in Pensacola, topping out at a whopping 16% gradient...according to Coolio's computerized slopeometer thingy on his handlebars. Regardless, it is brutal for all but the strongest among us.
The two competitors had me go up first so I could judge the winner, thinking it may be close. Once at the summit, I turned around at the curb to see the two climbers already on the climb. It was neck and neck with the big Clydesdale boy tweaking his Trek carbon fiber standing on his big chainring like a huge V-12 Diesel engine. All the while the little 4 cylinder climber was seated whining out at a high rpm on his Lynskey titanium machine. (This was really fun to watch!!!)
Through the first two turns it was very close...anybody's guess as to the winner. At one point it appeared the little Crusty Curmudgeon had the better of the big Clydesdale whose powerful pistons each weighed more than the little climber soaking wet. Then here comes roaring back the big boy as if to say, "Stay thirsty, my friend." Uh...rather, "Not yet, my friend." It was back and forth, back and forth until the last turn...
That's when I saw the big behemoth himself put the hammer down in such a way as to make all big Clydesdales proud! You should have seen it...the fans were going wild! The Foxinator was pulling so hard on the bars that they were almost perpendicular to the pave'. (That's "asphalt" for those of you less fortunate than my bilingual self.) It was amazing! He was stompin' so hard on those pedals that I thought his crank arms would snap..."It was impressive!" (Expressed in my best Paul Sherwen accent.)
Across the line in victory came the Foxinator ripping the Polka Dot Jersey from the shoulders of the longtime King of the Mountains! Then the clock started, waiting for the little Climber to cross the line. Two seconds...four, five...nine, ten...twelve seconds later the Masterbanter comes across complaining of a missed shift halfway up the climb. (Who does he think he is...Andy Schleck?!) Great fun! I haven't laughed so hard on a ride in a long time.
The whole ride home Coolio was explaining the cause for the defeat. Everything from the climb was too short or not steep enough to a missed shift and the use of the wrong chamois creme! He even sprinted ahead on a freeway overpass trying to gain any victory on any climb. Like I said, we all laughed the whole way home...sorry so many of you missed the latest peloton antics! It really was the most fun this rider has had on a ride in many months.
No need to fret though, we're riding today and everyday this week! I can't guarantee the weather, but I can guarantee the antics! Come on out!!! Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bloganoid for all the details!
See you out on the road,
Bob
We initially had a bit of trouble in deciding what route to take so we kind of putz around the neighborhoods of eastern Pensacola. We finally choose to head towards Ellison Park and then loop back around the upper Figure 8 for somewhere around 30 total miles. All we're agreeable so the pace quicken a bit.
Coolio was in one of his bantering moods as only the Masterbanter can be. If you've never ridden down the road listening to this mouth spouting, you don't know what you're missing...uh, kinda. It is a mixture of boasting, badmouthing, complaining, whining and a joke or two thrown in just for the fun of it. It used to annoy me, but now I just egg him on. Tim Fox did as well!
After a number of miles and a larger number of comments from the Mouth of the South, the Foxinator had just about his fill and threw down the gauntlet! He challenged the little climber to a race to the top of La Petit Alpe Duez! (For those of you who have no idea the location of this climb, it is the back entrance to Ellison off Scenic Highway.) It is a beast. Generally considered the steepest in Pensacola, topping out at a whopping 16% gradient...according to Coolio's computerized slopeometer thingy on his handlebars. Regardless, it is brutal for all but the strongest among us.
The two competitors had me go up first so I could judge the winner, thinking it may be close. Once at the summit, I turned around at the curb to see the two climbers already on the climb. It was neck and neck with the big Clydesdale boy tweaking his Trek carbon fiber standing on his big chainring like a huge V-12 Diesel engine. All the while the little 4 cylinder climber was seated whining out at a high rpm on his Lynskey titanium machine. (This was really fun to watch!!!)
Through the first two turns it was very close...anybody's guess as to the winner. At one point it appeared the little Crusty Curmudgeon had the better of the big Clydesdale whose powerful pistons each weighed more than the little climber soaking wet. Then here comes roaring back the big boy as if to say, "Stay thirsty, my friend." Uh...rather, "Not yet, my friend." It was back and forth, back and forth until the last turn...
That's when I saw the big behemoth himself put the hammer down in such a way as to make all big Clydesdales proud! You should have seen it...the fans were going wild! The Foxinator was pulling so hard on the bars that they were almost perpendicular to the pave'. (That's "asphalt" for those of you less fortunate than my bilingual self.) It was amazing! He was stompin' so hard on those pedals that I thought his crank arms would snap..."It was impressive!" (Expressed in my best Paul Sherwen accent.)
Across the line in victory came the Foxinator ripping the Polka Dot Jersey from the shoulders of the longtime King of the Mountains! Then the clock started, waiting for the little Climber to cross the line. Two seconds...four, five...nine, ten...twelve seconds later the Masterbanter comes across complaining of a missed shift halfway up the climb. (Who does he think he is...Andy Schleck?!) Great fun! I haven't laughed so hard on a ride in a long time.
The whole ride home Coolio was explaining the cause for the defeat. Everything from the climb was too short or not steep enough to a missed shift and the use of the wrong chamois creme! He even sprinted ahead on a freeway overpass trying to gain any victory on any climb. Like I said, we all laughed the whole way home...sorry so many of you missed the latest peloton antics! It really was the most fun this rider has had on a ride in many months.
No need to fret though, we're riding today and everyday this week! I can't guarantee the weather, but I can guarantee the antics! Come on out!!! Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bloganoid for all the details!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Impromptu Rides This Week
For anyone who has taken some time off this week and would enjoy some exercise, we have scheduled a few rides this week as well as next week. Please check our Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal for more details. The pace will be easy to moderate. If you wonder what that means, just check out the handy Pace Chart at the bottom of this same Blogification.
Well, only a couple of weeks left in this year's Eating Season. How are you doing? The most difficult weeks are these last two...for most of us anyway. Therefore, we have scheduled a group ride almost everyday between now and New Year's Day! Come on out and take advantage of the draft of the peloton.
I've seen several of you out the last few days including two Happy sightings! Harland "Happy" Williams that is! It is great to see him and Chung Hgyun back out on the machines after their crashes the last couple of months. I understand Josh "Danger" Sharpe is back in the saddle as well! Yesterday morning, in the cold damp air, Tim "Foxinator" Fox, Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo, David "Two Wheels" Mayo, "Danger" and a masked charioteer rode the Twisted Point Loop. I heard it was brutal with that nasty wind!
It was good to see John "Gianni Bugno" Duke and the man himself, the "new" Coolio as well as Happy and Left Lane on the ride this afternoon. The weather was chilly, but sunny, making for good riding conditions. We also ran into Pensacola's finest this afternoon as well...Sgt Chris Huffman n puff'n was out training for his New Orleans marathon that he will run in February.
Well, only two weeks left in 2010...can you believe that?! Let's make the most of it! Hope to see you all out on a ride soon! And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Well, only a couple of weeks left in this year's Eating Season. How are you doing? The most difficult weeks are these last two...for most of us anyway. Therefore, we have scheduled a group ride almost everyday between now and New Year's Day! Come on out and take advantage of the draft of the peloton.
I've seen several of you out the last few days including two Happy sightings! Harland "Happy" Williams that is! It is great to see him and Chung Hgyun back out on the machines after their crashes the last couple of months. I understand Josh "Danger" Sharpe is back in the saddle as well! Yesterday morning, in the cold damp air, Tim "Foxinator" Fox, Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo, David "Two Wheels" Mayo, "Danger" and a masked charioteer rode the Twisted Point Loop. I heard it was brutal with that nasty wind!
It was good to see John "Gianni Bugno" Duke and the man himself, the "new" Coolio as well as Happy and Left Lane on the ride this afternoon. The weather was chilly, but sunny, making for good riding conditions. We also ran into Pensacola's finest this afternoon as well...Sgt Chris Huffman n puff'n was out training for his New Orleans marathon that he will run in February.
Well, only two weeks left in 2010...can you believe that?! Let's make the most of it! Hope to see you all out on a ride soon! And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, December 17, 2010
Back to Live Action
I took a little time off and traveled to the Virginia side of the Graves clan. Visited with my brothers, sister and their families, good fun. Also, since we had not been to the Washington, DC area in more than 10 years, we, meaning the lovely Mrs Graves, Jonners, (aka: The Boo) and myself walked some of the monuments and museums. I really enjoyed the time away with them. If you have never been to Washington, you should go, just not in the winter. It was freezing! I recommend April.
But now...it's back to live action!
Who wants to ride?
Man, I haven't been on the machine in over 2 weeks. Yesterday I went out to my garage to mount the beast and I was having trouble remembering how. Thankfully, it starting raining, so I decided to leave it for another day...like today. I'll let you know how it goes.
We've decided to change the route for tomorrow morning's ride. Just the route, nothing else. We will still start at Fish and Wildlife at 8am, however we won't be doing the Around the Sound Loop. Instead, we'll run down Jackson, Lillian Highway, across Dog Track, (or across Bauer Road for those who want a bit longer route) and back on Gulf Beach Highway through Navy Point and downtown. Kind of a Navy Point Loop with a twist...it's the Twisted Point Loop! (Don't forget the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint)
The reason for the change is two fold. First, because few of our group have been putting in the miles for a 55 to 60 mile loop which is the Around the Sound Loop. The Twisted Point Loop will be closer to 40 miles. Second, we want to show our support to an out of town rider who Randy Bullock is hosting this weekend. His name is Carl Bratmiller.
Carl is traveling by bicycle from Austin, Texas, (home to Lance Armstrong and Stephen "Manchild" Mills. Uh...I'm not sure who is more famous locally but I know who should be!) to Gainesville, Florida. Carl is riding in support of his friend who is fighting cancer. Carl and Randy will be at the Everman's Health Food store Saturday from 10am until sometime late that afternoon. He will be doing free repairs on bikes (donations accepted) and promoting bicyclists awareness...something we can all get behind!
So, we will be cruising right past there around 10-10:30am and we can show our support by stopping by on our way home. All in favor?! Good it's unanimous! I knew I could depend on you guys...
Weather looks chilly. At ride time tomorrow morning, low to mid 50s with a breeze out of the north. I guess we won't see (the new) Coolio. That's okay he wouldn't be able to find his way to the Everman's Health Food store anyway. Maybe Carl can do one for Bobby at the Krispy Kreme. Can you say, "Pumpkin Spice"?
See you out on the road,
Bob
But now...it's back to live action!
Who wants to ride?
Man, I haven't been on the machine in over 2 weeks. Yesterday I went out to my garage to mount the beast and I was having trouble remembering how. Thankfully, it starting raining, so I decided to leave it for another day...like today. I'll let you know how it goes.
We've decided to change the route for tomorrow morning's ride. Just the route, nothing else. We will still start at Fish and Wildlife at 8am, however we won't be doing the Around the Sound Loop. Instead, we'll run down Jackson, Lillian Highway, across Dog Track, (or across Bauer Road for those who want a bit longer route) and back on Gulf Beach Highway through Navy Point and downtown. Kind of a Navy Point Loop with a twist...it's the Twisted Point Loop! (Don't forget the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint)
The reason for the change is two fold. First, because few of our group have been putting in the miles for a 55 to 60 mile loop which is the Around the Sound Loop. The Twisted Point Loop will be closer to 40 miles. Second, we want to show our support to an out of town rider who Randy Bullock is hosting this weekend. His name is Carl Bratmiller.
Carl is traveling by bicycle from Austin, Texas, (home to Lance Armstrong and Stephen "Manchild" Mills. Uh...I'm not sure who is more famous locally but I know who should be!) to Gainesville, Florida. Carl is riding in support of his friend who is fighting cancer. Carl and Randy will be at the Everman's Health Food store Saturday from 10am until sometime late that afternoon. He will be doing free repairs on bikes (donations accepted) and promoting bicyclists awareness...something we can all get behind!
So, we will be cruising right past there around 10-10:30am and we can show our support by stopping by on our way home. All in favor?! Good it's unanimous! I knew I could depend on you guys...
Weather looks chilly. At ride time tomorrow morning, low to mid 50s with a breeze out of the north. I guess we won't see (the new) Coolio. That's okay he wouldn't be able to find his way to the Everman's Health Food store anyway. Maybe Carl can do one for Bobby at the Krispy Kreme. Can you say, "Pumpkin Spice"?
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, December 3, 2010
A Glitch on the Rides Calendar
Everyone,
There is a giltch on the Rides Calendar. The next three Saturday rides are Canot showing on the Month View Calendar. However, you can view the Saturday rides on the Weekly View Calendar. If you are having difficulty viewing the Calendar, my apologies, it is a problem with Blogger (Google Calendar) and they will rectify as soon as they can.
FYI: This Saturday's ride is at 8am from Fish and Wildlife and we're headed towards Innerarity Point. The routwe is about 45 to 50 miles and the pace will be easy to moderate.
See you out on the road,
Bob
There is a giltch on the Rides Calendar. The next three Saturday rides are Canot showing on the Month View Calendar. However, you can view the Saturday rides on the Weekly View Calendar. If you are having difficulty viewing the Calendar, my apologies, it is a problem with Blogger (Google Calendar) and they will rectify as soon as they can.
FYI: This Saturday's ride is at 8am from Fish and Wildlife and we're headed towards Innerarity Point. The routwe is about 45 to 50 miles and the pace will be easy to moderate.
See you out on the road,
Bob
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