Brrrrr.

Was out yesterday for what has been my regular Sunday training ride. This winter has been really good to us cyclists as the snow has been minimal and the temperatures moderate.

Over the past several weeks I’ve been scheduled to put in 90km rides and have found it hard to complete the distance. Not because the legs or lungs give out; rather the cold gets in. At about the 60-70km mark I start feeling the chill seeping into me and despite the effort being put in. And I find myself subconsciously remapping the course to bring me home early.

Part of this is the fact that I’m working hard and sweating so my 2 base layers and jacket are soaked. Today’s technical garments are amazing with their ability to pull a lot of sweat to the outer layer where the airflow around your body can dry it off; despite this they can only do so much. Ideally you don’t want to sweat a lot though I find it hard to moderate my body temperature on winter rides. You open your jacket to cool down a little; 5 minutes later you are cold so you zip up again and the cycle starts all over.

Lately I’ve just kept zipped up and lived with the base layers getting a little cool.

Sunday’s ride was much the same though the 2c temperatures combined with a fresh dumping of snow made for some excitement. Descending into the town of Erin I came over a hill to see a 6+ inch snow drift in front of me.

At speeds of 35+kph my Rad Jake steers like a tank so you just have to trust in your bike skills and keep a straight line through it. As the front tire hits the drift you feel a momentary sense of fright with the wheel slipping sideways; then it grabs hold of the tarmac on the other side and the bike snaps straight and upright. Unconsciously I found myself out of the saddle with the bike gripped between my knees; then I was on the other side of the drift clocking 45kph. With a deep ex-hale the rush of the maneuver quickly faded and turned into a subconscious analysis of how it turned out. Chalk one up for my motocross and mountain bike skills; but that’s enough excitement for the day.

My intent was to head into Orangeville. The route from Acton to Orangeville is very hilly and makes for a good climbing workout with well over 1000 meters of climbing; given we are not in a mountainous area that’s not too bad. Heading out of Erin I found myself at a t-junction with the choice of going the distance or creating an alternate route that took me across the wind instead of dead into it. The best laid plans of men and mice; I chose the later. Some of my best training rides are somewhat impromptu. The route was almost as hilly by not as mentally debilitating as I had the wind cutting across me most of the way; allowing me to stay a little warmer.

At 20+lbs the Rad Jake makes for a great winter training bike. Just enough weight to make me work like a dog but not enough to strip me entirely of any sense of accomplishment.

Rolling into the driveway I glanced down and read 79.68km. Not the planned 90km but regardless I accomplished what I needed to; besides I’m good with mentally rounding that to 90km!

Paul O’Hara-Hoke

2010 Rider – Sears National Kids Cancer Ride: http://pauloharahoke.snkcr.com