After getting lost during my last, major outside ride, I was a little gun-shy to try a new route. But, I wish to begin expanding my distances and that can only involve riding on new roads. Past years, I have generally limited my rides to under 20 miles. This limitation restricts the number of choices I have from my house – especially since there is no practical riding anywhere east of where I live – I need to venture west to ride on roads without fear of getting run over and killed.

Earlier rides this season have stuck mainly to the roads that I have traveled in past years. They are nice roads – fairly new construction – with little traffic and nice, wide shoulders. I rarely get assaulted on them, although I have had a number of instances where snot-nosed, privileged teenagers riding around in daddy’s Escalade hurl unflattering insults my way. I’ve never figured out the mentality of cowardly cursing loudly at a 150lb cyclist from a moving, 3500lb vehicle – and speeding away while indicating that some type of battle was won. I don’t think I had that same urge when I was young.

Anyway – today’s ride had little joy and was mostly done for miles. It was a dark, gloomy day with heavy clouds and temps in the low 40s. Even though I am equipped for the cold weather, there was something about today’s air that made it feel colder than the thermometer stated. I think it must have been the humidity levels – which I expect were higher than on previous cold rides – since the air had that “wet, damp” feel that cools you down right to the bones.

The metrics for outside were:

  • Temp: approx 42F – but it honestly felt more like 35F
  • heavy, dark clouds making it even hard to see with my necessary sun glasses
  • fairly insignificant winds from the north at approx 5-7mph

My route was planned ahead and I was much more diligent about knowing where I was and when I should turn. Most of the miles were on familiar roads, but portions of the ride (especially around Loretto and Maple Plain) were completely new to me. In following these new roads, here are the statistics for the performance:

  • distance: 26.5 miles
  • avg speed: 17.3mph
  • duration: 1:32
  • bike odometer: 141 miles

Still not a great performance, but it is still early and it is only 40 degrees out. My mind was more focused on survival and the warm shower at the end, versus the efficiency of the ride.

There was a stretch of road near Loretto that I will likely not take again. It was so deteriorated and patched that I had a hard time determining if it would be smoother riding on the road or the plowed field next to it. Belgium and Northern France have their cobbles for the Spring bike-racing classics. Minnesota has our own Spring-time obstacles that would rival their trail’s roughness. I’m glad that the new steed has aluminum wheels that are more robust than light/fast carbon version. I’d hate to ruin a set of new wheels on a simple, 26-mile ride.

I was able to have my first dog-chasing experience for this ride. I’m one of the few riders who welcomes dogs on the road. The first, loud bark initiates a surge of adrenaline and my fight or flight response kicks in. Even though I am in “flight” mode on the bike, it seems more like a fight as I try to keep the dog at the perfect distance to prolong the chase but keep my ankles safe from bite-marks. I think it’s a fun game – where the dog is having as much fun as me. If the dog gets too close, I’ve learned that a quick squirt from the water bottle will generally send him running away with his tail between his legs. The only real danger is if they see me coming long in advance and are able to cut me off.

Today’s dog wasn’t much of a challenge. He didn’t see me until I was past his yard and he wasn’t able to accelerate quickly enough to warrant more than a few seconds of chase. Riding around Lake Minnewaska in my youth, there were always two consistent spots for getting chased. The first was where South Lakeshore Drive would turn away from the lake and head up to Count Road 18. That dog was smart and was always eagerly waiting for me at the end of his driveway. He knew enough to get up some speed before I reached his position, so he could try to run alongside for as long as possible. This was always a great chance to get some acceleration up the hill, which is a significant climb.

The second dog was a German Shepard that lived along County Road 114, heading from Glenwood toward the Inherred Lutheran Church. This dog was smart and very covert in his approach to chasing me. He would not make any noise until he was right on top of me and then let out the deep, frightening bark on a German Shepard can muster. Fortunately, he was rather slow, but he was willing to chase me deep into the road, thus testing both my speed and maneuverability.

This ride was probably it for outside riding this weekend, as the forecast is calling for temps in the 30s and some chance of snow. I may have a passion for riding my bike, but I have real limits on what weather my body will tolerate. Tomorrow will probably fall outside those limits and it will be back on the trainer. Ugh.