Winter Respite

We got a break from the cold weather over the last couple of weekends. Last weekend it made it to the mid 40s and I got out on Tru's ride where I was joined by a few regulars. Because I rode in to the ride from my house I ended up getting in 48 miles. This weekend the weather forecast was even better. It was going to start out a little cold but end up in the mid 50s. Because the Prince Freewheeler ride calendar has now caught up with the internet age I can post rides at a moment notice. So I  posted a ride to the pine barrens and sent out mail to the usual suspects.

It was 35 degrees when we started but sunny and given the cold weather we had in the beginning of January it felt balmy. I got some of the regulars to join me including Chris, Laura, Bob, Pete and even got Jack to come out of hibernation and join us.

This was the first long ride of the season so we went off at a modest pace especially because of a constant head wind. That and the fact that Jack had found a cut in his side wall before starting out. He put a couple patches on the inside of the tire and even wrapped the outside of the tire with duct tape. None of us were sure if it would hold or not but it didn't pop in the first few miles so that was a good sign that it might last until the end of the ride.

The weather warmed up quick as the head wind also picked up. At Smithville there was a bridge out but it was no problem riding over it. If fact it didn't look like they had made any progress on it since we came by this way last summer so it may be out for a long time.

We made our way through Vincetown and eventually to the Wawa in Browns Mill. I had an option for a few extra miles but we were all a little tired so we came back the direct route. The wind was still strong but mostly at our backs until the last 4 miles. Although we kept a modest pace I was feeling the lack of miles and felt that I was on the edge of cramping. It may have felt like a spring day but my legs knew it was mid winter.We ended up with 51 miles which is long for this time of year but you have to take advantage of the good weather when it comes around.

The Long Cold Winter

After three weeks of bone chilling temperatures it finally got warm enough for a ride. So how cold was it? It was so cold that a stalagmite formed below my furnace vent. The flew gases from my furnace vents out the side of the house and contains a some water vapor. The water vapor usually just evaporates into the air but because of was so cold the water vapor immediately condensed then froze. After a week it was 3 feet tall. I was going to knock it down so it won't clog up the vent but on Friday we had 60 degree weather and rain that melted the snow and stalagmite.

The rain stopped early Saturday morning but the temperature was 35 degrees and heading lower. Laura, Pete and I had a email discussion, Friday night, about road vs trail ride. Road would be cold and possible icy but trail would be muddy. On Saturday morning with a 20 mph winds a blowing we decided to do the Lawrence Hopewell Trail because the wind made it too cold to ride on the road and the LHT trail is mostly pavement and would not be as messy.

Both Pete and Laura biked to the starting point on Princeton Pike where we started. It was around 30 degrees for most of the ride but the paved part of the path were ice free. The gravel parts were a little mushy in spots but mostly passable. We did avoid a couple of sections which we knew would be two wet to do easily. It was a tiring ride but not as bad as when I did it in the snow. You can see more details about the ride on Laura's blog

On Sunday to make up for some of the exercise that I have missed because of the cold weather I did a hike with Jack up Bald Plate mountain. On the drive to the hike I stopped at Washington Crossing park to take a picture of the semi frozen Delaware.

In parking lot was Chris who was going to do a mountain bike ride on the canal path. I talked to him for a few minutes before meeting Jack for the hike. We ended up doing an 8 mile hike. It was a hilly hike since we walked up to the top of Bald Plate but I'm glad it was a bit strenuous since it was 20 degrees out. I didn't have a problem staying warm though after the first half mile.

I had never hiked here before and didn't realize how big the park is. We also got some clear views of the Delaware and surrounding hills. I know now that hiking in 20 degree weather isn't that bad so if we get another cold spell I have another way to get some exercise in.  

So Long 2017

Happy New Year!

2017 is now history and I'm looking forward to what is to come in 2018. From a riding perspective I road a few more miles in 2017 and had some memorable rides. My last ride of the year was with Winter Larry on Christmas eve. I was hoping to get a couple of rides between Christmas and New Years but the weather have been too cold for even me to ride. When it is close to 20 degrees my camelback freezes up and so do most parts of my body. It looks like it is going to be another week before it is warm enough to try and get back out again. Until then I will see if I can come up with some interesting ride for the coming year.