Bloody Cold

I nearly think I lost a few toes on Sunday. Cabin fever was setting in. I had spent over a week on indoor trainers, overheating my body since the weather was really "wintry" and since it was dry and sunny I felt it might be a nice change to head out of doors. Indoor training means here loads of towels. I always sweat quite a bit and when there is no wind passing my body to cool it a bit then all that heat has to come out anyway. So it is a real mess when I have to train indoors. At times I will go to the gym to sweat there and leave a bit of my mess behind, but at home that is my carpet that I am endangering.

So Sunday the day was clear and the weather was showing just under freezing temps. There was no snow about but still it was an mountain bike kind of day. Ice around in the shadows would have been costly on the road bike. So I headed up my local hill here through the forest. Takes about 90 minutes to climb the 400 meters up around the back of the Platte and this was really nice too. Just coming down was not.

By the time I had gotten to the top my water bottles had frozen, so no more fluids. It was showing -3°C (28F) on the way up but the hard climb kept me actually quite comfortable. I should have stopped there. The ride down is fast and steep. I was cruising at 40+ or 25mph through the paths towards the valley. I knew this was going to get me to my longed for hot coffee faster but the temps were dropping. At those speeds the wind chill was closer to -20°C and I was feeling it. During the last half hour I knew I was in need of some shelter to warm up but I was close to home.

Once I got there I stripped off my shoes and socks and headed to the heater. My little toes were completely white, there was no feeling left in them. They felt like ice to the touch. About 30 minutes later they began moving again and some color was returning. It was one of those borderline rides. All in all I was happy to have gotten out for a 2h30m ride but it was really on the limit.

So, today the boys and I went out sledding. Yes, it snowed since Sunday and it has stuck too. We headed up the same hill (with the car) and at the top it was -9°C with a good breeze blowing. We made it an hour or so but then many appendages (fingers, toes, noses) were crying for care so we headed home again. The forecast here is for -12 or so tonight with more later in the week. I guess I will stick to indoor sweating for a bit still.

But heck, it is dry and sunny! And the snow it not melting anytime soon!!!

PH