A Pause Before Winter Sets In

Last week we had the Thanksgivng holiday break and mild weather for what might be the last bike rides of the season with light summer garb on.  On Wednesday I was able to get out in short sleeves and a pair of knicker length bottoms.  Even though I set out by 2:30 the sun dips low on the horizon early and thankful for packing a light windbreaker I ended my ride with a jacket on.  It was the longest ride post surgery exploring the upper reaches of the Border to Border trail I rode from Brandemere Park to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with a new found biking friend.  It was nice to show the route to someone new and have some new company to ride with.  Ride total was just under 14 miles. 

Thanksgiving day saw more of the same mild temps and I got out fairly early for a ride around Kent Lake at Kensington for a 9 mile ride before high tailing it home to get my portion of the family Thanksgiving meal prepared and whisk it off to the family dinner.  Again this time it was shorts and short sleeves again.  That'll be a thing of the past as the temps are to dip down to more seasonally chilly weather.

Indeed the weekend and first part of this new week temps are downright cold.  By Tuesday, yesterday, the wind was non-existant and the sun was shining so brightly I set off for a bike ride in 32 F degree temps.  It's the first time I've ridden in weather that cold.  Last year I ventured out in some mid 40 F degree days.  Actually it was not so bad, I was dressed appropriately with a windbreaker, hat and half gloves which were ok for a short 4 mile ride.  If I do this again though I'll be using full fingered gloves and my neoprene headband to cover my ears.  Ears and thumbs and fingertips were stinging a mite bit when I got home.

Shifting gears into a more seasonal frame of mind I spent yesterday evening with my Godson Andrew baking Ninja-bread men.  Tasty results!

Turkeys, Trails, Trees and Tires

Thankgiving with my niece and nephew

Christmas Tree up Thanksgiving weekend

On the trail at Kensington

So we have a big variety in a weeks time.  Thanksgiving with turkey and the trimmings and all the family, the long holiday weekend, an evening reserved for putting up the Christmas Tree and with the nice weather I was able to get in a two good bike rides on Friday and Saturday.  I spent Friday afternoon at Kensington and Saturday at the Huron Valley Rail Trail and boy did if feel good and invigorating to be outdoors enjoying the weather.  Of course living in Michigan where the weather can do an about face in a heartbeat, today we woke up to a winter wonderland with a fresh covering of snow.  Where I live we got about 3-4 inches (I haven't heard the official report yet).  So in a weeks time we go from outdoor riding with no jacket to snow.  One week ago today I spotted a barefoot waterskiier zipping across the lake while I was out on a bike ride.

I love it!

I do believe that outdoor riding is over but I've said that before on this blog and then we continued to have mild days enough to get out a few more times.  Likely I won't be posting my yearly totals yet in case we get that "one more nice day."   But the handwriting is on the wall and I am reserving tonight to get my trainer tire on my old bike so I can be ready for indoor training riding.  In fact I signed up for a indoor December challenge so now I am committed to a certain time spent on the bike and I intend to make good on it.