The Gear

I'm long over due on this post, my family and friends have been asking for a rundown on the gear that makes my winter travels possible for a few weeks now...

I'm going to blame the overall delay on being in a snow coma :-)

Anyways, below is a listing of the winter gear and apparel that's been keeping me sane over the past twelve weeks!

Smart Wool Socks:

My husband is a firm believer in smart wool and he has converted me to the cause.  The price point is a little high, but having a few pairs to rotate between when it's cold outside is a must.

When I need to up the toastiness of my foot apparel, I will add a set of the toe specific chemical warmers to work in conjunction with my socks.

Next year, I really want to bring in the big dogs and invest in a pair of these little devils.  I'm not normally one to crave designer shoes, but these Fasterkatts really make my heart skip a beat!

Lobster Mitts!

My hands tend to sweat a lot when my core temperature rises.  I like switching between a wind resistant long fingered glove paired with moose mitts and my (husbands) Pearl Izumi Lobster Mitts.

I actually have the normal full fingered version of these gloves, while my husband has the lobster version.  I usually try to wear mine, but when he's not looking I do tend to use his lobster version instead.  The bulkiness of the full fingered version doesn't seem to work as well as the lobsters.

Pearl Izumi Amphib Tights:

I have an older version of these tights.  The newer style has a comfort waistband that I feel is a great addition.

The current pair that I've been riding in are the exact amount of protection I need for most winter rides.  During the extreme temperatures I've been using a pair of Sierra Designs rain pants as a second  layer against the wind.

Throughout the winter this combination has been effective to keep me warm, but the rain pants haven't held up well for the day to day rides.  Next year I'm going to budget for a newer version of these pants and possibly a snow style pull over pant that's intended for commuting purposes.

Bontrager Softshell Mountain Bike Jacket:

When I originally selected this jacket I liked that it looked more like an everyday jacket so that I can use it both on and off the bike.

I didn't originally intend to wear it as an everyday winter jacket, but it' has just enough wind protection to provide me with the warmth I need on the road.

On sub zero days, I've paired it up with two thermal base layers and found that that is enough to keep me warm but not completely drenched in sweat.

It doesn't look like this version is currently available from Bontrager anymore, but they do have a few newer options that could work just as well!

Pearl Izumi Transfer Beanie

The benefit of the beanie is that it's thin enough to fit comfortably under my helmet, especially since I have a bit of a fat head.

The stretchy material allows for me to pull down the hat over my ears and it stays in place (most of my normal winter hats tend to ride up after awhile).

Bontrager Neck Gaiter:

This neck Gaiter was a late addition to my winter ride gear but the more I use it the more I love it!

It keeps the cold air from creeping down my jacket collar and also allows me the flexibility of pulling it over my chin and nose.

Since I'm a huge fan of fun colors, I'm a big fan that it's available in something other then just black!

Bontrager Long Sleeve Hood Baselayer:

When I originally ordered this Baselayer, I liked that it really looks like a normal pullover shirt.  I've worn it everyday throughout this winter and have found that it's handled the repeat washing without issue.

The thumb hole sleeves allow you to tuck your  sleeves completely into your gloves to help prevent the cold air from creeping in and the hood zips up into a balaclava to allow for extra protection.  This feature has been particularly handy on commutes where I thought just a beanie was enough but got out on the road and realized the wind was a bit more bitter then anticipated.

March Is Here!

February has come and gone in a blur of snow, cold and smelly base layers.

Now that we're working our way into March I'm looking forward to some milder temperatures and exposed pavement :-)

The high points of February included my husband and I celebrating our one year wedding anniversary (yeah)!  A very special ladies night at the bike shop and two fat bike races.

Somewhere in the middle of that I came down with an epic flu that knocked me out for an entire week and left me a sad sack in bed.

Apparently a steady diet of inhaling sub zero temperatures eventually leads to a head cold and the inability to start a sentence without having to clear your throat first.

There's less then four months left until prime race season and it makes me giddy with excitement to think that it's so close.
For now...I'm content putting in the rides and enjoying the sunrise and sunsets that come with a polar vortex. 

Super Saturday!

This weekend my Vanderkitten kit arrived and just in the knick of time!

Saturday was my first race of the year at the Lake Orion High School Super Saturday Fat Bike Race!

After a week of extreme temperatures, it was refreshing to wake up to a balmy 30 degrees and it made selecting gear way easier!

The drive to the race was a little dicey as wet snowflakes began to fall, but I made it there alive and in time to check in and pre ride a portion of the course.

The first section of the race took us up a sledding hill and then down the other side.  My warm up attempt to ride down it gave me my first fall of the day so I chose to run down the hill using my bike as an anchor/stroller during the race (this worked out quite well!).

The first lap out, the trail was in somewhat of a rideable state but by the second and third lap it was more like riding through mashed potatoes.

This actually seemed to work well for me since that is exactly like what many of my commutes home have been like over the past few weeks!

One thing I am happy to report is that many of my fat bike misconceptions have been officially aired out.  I had these images in mind that everyone else was riding through snow with little issue and climbing hills without dismounting their bikes.

That is not the case and now I feel like I can let go of the anxiety I had about "doing it wrong"!

This race was a lot of fun and a great way to start the season! Steve and Ben did a great job putting the event on and I'm looking forward to putting this event on my calender for next year!

Polar What?

Being on the other side of the polar vortex feels like a tropical vacation.  I never knew I could appreciate 20 degree temperatures, but I can honestly say that I am finding comfort in the warm blanket of Michigan winter.

While car pooling with co workers to a work function, I pointed out my tracks on the nearby embankment.

The snow makes it very easy to identify the amount of foot traffic that passes through Clinton Township and normally it's fairly impressive.  During the storm, it was pretty limited and for at least two days, that shoulder was my private lane.

My captive audience wasn't really sure how to take my proud ownership of this real estate, but it made me feel slightly sad to be stuck inside the car.  Almost like i was cheating on my bike by not riding to the meeting.

This past week on Wednesday morning I encountered a bear of a head wind coming in to the office.  It took me three hours upon arrival to connect the dots that the reason my eyes felt so tired was because of my commute.

At some point commuting crossed the border into being something that "I do" and not something that I think about.

Arrival times are planned and calculated based on weather predictions and Google maps (bike map option).  I pack an extra layer of clothing and emergency fish for each journey without hesitation.

When i leave work at night, no matter how crazy or frustrating the day was for me emotionally, by the time I roll into the driveway...the stress is gone.

There's an unpredictability to the future and I don't know how many days I'll be blessed with this opportunity to ride to work.  I try not to let the fear of it being taken away suffocate what it is for me right now.

Plus...now I get to look back on the great polar vortex of 2014 and reminisce about my epic ride through -13 degree temps and climbing 8 foot snow banks to make it home.  Legend....wait for it....dary!

Pack and Pedal Part I

Since I started commuting by bike, one item that I've had to sort out is how to carry my essential "stuff" to and fro.

When able, I arrange to have a bag transported to my destination (thank you husband!), but for the day to day commute this isn't feasible.

I've been sporting a back pack for most of the year (husband calls it my black turtleshell) and this is okay, but not great when carrying heavy items.

It's also a big pet peeve of husband and he's been petitioning daily for me to try some sort of rack system.

Enter the "pack and pedal" by Thule (www.thule.com)!

I've started using the handy bike wallet on the handlebar of the Farley.  Not only is it lightweight and barely noticeable when mounted, but it doubles as an air bag when crashing into snow banks :-)!

I was able to pack a spare tube, co2 cartridge, extra chemical warmers, emergency fish, tire lever and a multi tool.

There's a convenient pocket in the front for your cell phone, but because I have the world's largest phone (Galaxy Note 2) I'm using this as a place to stash an emergency blanket and chap stick.

Once we stop having epic snow days and I stop falling all of the time, we're going to mount the panniers to the rack so I can try them out...stay tuned!!!

Make sure to check out the Thule website to learn more about their line up for the Pack and Pedal group and if you're looking to pick up these items you can find them at my favorite bike shop, American Cycle & Fitness Royal Oak!

These Are The Days Of Our Lives!

Over the past 14 days I've raged between being madly in love with my fat bike and despising it for every pound it weighs.

With mounds of snow higher then my knees, I found myself on the side of the road last week, cursing the very thought of winter commutes and all things associated with them.

Ten minutes later I was through the worst of it and in love again.  

These are the days of my life...

Five years ago I would never have imagined myself out on a dark, cold Michigan winters night trudging through the snow...in the opposite direction of home...on purpose.

And then...I see the sparkling of ice and snow under street lights...the twinkling of Christmas lights on homes.  It's breathtaking...

Pair that up with my panting, open mouthed breathing as I plow through the snow on my husker du's and I am a toasty warm happy camper. 

My family had a wonderful Christmas and we're looking forward to an exciting year as 2014 closes in on us.

I'm wishing the best to all of you as you welcome in the New Year...may it be filled with something you never thought you could or would do as well!

Carrie Bradshaw Puppy Tires

It's official!  The last payment was made and I was able to break my Trek Farley (Carrie Bradshaw Puppy Tires aka CBPT) out of jail (layaway) and not a moment to soon...because we have snow on the ground!!!

Husband says I have officially lost my mind after naming my bike after my cat (Carrie Bradshaw) and my awesome 45nrth tires (Puppy Tires).  So I'm going to help toughen it up by going with "CBPT"...boom sauce!

And....

It is official...I had a blast riding in the snow! 

There are some finer points of bike handling that I will need to work on, but overall my maiden voyage went well today.

One side item...pedaling in snow is definitely a good way to stay warm! I was sweating my butt off from one to many layers, but I suppose that's better then freezing.

I'm looking forward to getting out again tomorrow...for now...CBPT and I are resting up!