Kung Fu Ninja Training

Holy brainfreeze Batman!
Sometimes when I'm riding down the beach I wonder if it's possible, A few times I've found my eyes fixed on my front wheel for what could have been a few minutes before realize it, and then I wonder if it's actually happening.

Well, I've officially kicked off the 2006 season and it didn't take long to realize that it was going to be tough, as usual, to get those 3-4 base rides in when the temperature isn't above 26 degrees.
Today I rode the beach for 3 hours because there was a monster crosswind and riding the beach is pretty sheltered compared to the open road. Plus, the speeds are slower, there's no cars, I can get off and run when my feet get cold, and there's always something interesting going on with either the water or the sand patterns. Unlike previous years though, there is still NO ice on the beach. I've ridden there some years when the ice goes 100 Ft out and there's icebergs and water shooting up out of holes, that's when the beach is really sweet. It's like being on the moon.


Today I stayed quite warm actually. The saying that "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes" could actually be true. Having the sun back is another reason why, it's amazing how warm it feels on your legs when you wear black tights.
Today I wore one short sleeve baselayer, one longsleeve baselayer, one longsleeve insulated jersey, one wind vest, one jacket and the key to the whole ride??? The $5 mittens from Kmart. Without these suckers you might as well stay home! I actually had to take them off a few times cause my fingers were getting sweaty inside these guys. Just slide them over your handlebar grips for a few minutes while your hands cool off.

Below the waist - one pair of tights, one pair of leg warmers, one pair riding shorts, regular socks, one pair of $.99 foot warmers, one pair of wind covers, one pair of insulated booties, and a couple strips of clear packing tape over the toes to keep the wind out. It takes about 1/2 hour to get dressed to do one these rides but I'd do that over riding the trainer any day of the week.
On the bright side, I'm heading out to Fruita, CO for some spring training with the Rocky Mtn. TREK boys in just over a week. We will be there for two weeks and then I'll be in Boulder for an additional two, so that is definitely some motivation to ride a bit before I get there and have them tear my legs off. Hopefully by the time I get back the temps will be back up, although they haven't actually been down that much lately so maybe it will just warm up into the 50s or something by then.
I wonder what flavor of Ben & Jerry's Brian M. is eating right now??