Yep,  Winter is closing in at an alarming pace.  Every time I step out side it seems to be colder and colder.  Normally this isn't so much of a problem, but this year is going way to fast.  I swear it is only August!

The cold weather is moving in, which is making it much harder to get out and ride.  My last three rides consisted of either cold and windy conditions,  or a massive downpour.  The cold weather just takes time to get used to.  The rain, well, no matter how hard I try, I just cannot get used to riding in rain. 

The rain causes your brain to over think everything, and when it isn't doing that, it is busy making everything difficult.  Case in point, two weeks ago, Dustin and I went to Danville.  The conditions were horrible; Mid 50's, but you would be well advised to build an Ark, there was so much rain.  We did a really cool switch back rhythm trail.  It is the sort of trail that you can just rail though with minimal pedaling.  That only works in the dry however.

When we went, we had to deal with bad leave cover, and standing water.  Every little turn, my brain was trying to figure out what the bike would be able to stick to, and what sections of trail would wash out from under me.  This leads to over braking, and conservative turning.  Things like this wreck all of the flow you establish, and suddenly you have to pedal up every little incline. This is compounded by wet trails which just allow your tires to sink in and scrub off what little speed and momentum you have saved up.

Fast forward to the cold weather.  This morning I woke up early for no reason, and decided it would be a good idea to go for a ride.  It was only 40 degrees, so not too bad, but cold enough!  I had to figure out what gear I wanted to wear, which is always a challenge.  Too much clothing, and you overheat and die.  Not enough, and you freeze and.. die.

Anyway, I eventually did figure what to wear, and got out and rode.  I forgot how cold that first mile can be.  The wind blowing, compounded by the speed of the bike just sucks all of the heat out of you.  Luckily after the first mile or so, the warmth kicks in, but then comes the next nightmare of cold weather riding, the sweat. Sweating in cold weather will drive you bonkers, but it is something you have to deal with.

Oh well, I am tired of typing, and since it's my blog... and I make the rules.. I'm done for now.

TTYL

Kevin