The cold is tough on people but it is also tough on machines and equipment, it reared it's ugly head on Saturday and Doug's car was the victim. The plan was to meet at The Hub prior to the ride to grab a little breakfast but I got a text from Doug shortly before I was to arrive at The Hub that the hearse was DOA in south Lincoln. I quickly rerouted to go grab Doug and his bicycle while he made arrangements to get the hearse fixed. Since it was also a Husker home game we decided that we would never make it to The Hub and then to Cycle Works on time so plan B was Amigos. Not quite on the same playing field as The Hub but they had donuts and donuts are a decent consolation prize.
It was a cold one on Saturday for sure, winters icy grip had descended on the mid west last week and let us know that while not officially winter yet; it is just around the corner. Temps at the start of the ride were only going to be about 21 above zero but with a pretty stiff wind that was going to make it feel considerably colder. I was pleasantly surprised to see that we had a group of 13 riders for the first truly cold day of the fall.
After four years wearing the OG Wolvhammers it was time for some new boots and Saturday was the day. I opted for the the Red Wind/45NRTH special edition boots that they put out last year, not the ultra new Hammers with the BOA but they will work for me and I kind of dig the lighter colorway. If you're looking for a warm winter boot that you can use with cleats, you really cannot get anything better than 45NRTH right now. Yes they are pricey and I know a lot of people who get boots that "are almost as warm" as what 45NRTH is putting out but when it comes down to it, do you want to spend a few dollars less and get almost as good or do you want the warmest boots currently on the market and find out that good enough isn't good enough on those really cold rides?
With the bitter cold sticking around most of the day, Wilderness Park was the plan for the route. It was pretty cool seeing all the pedicabs out on the chili day.
As mentioned above, with the right gear it's not impossible to get too warm even in the coldest weather and Todd was dropping layers by the time we got to Wilderness. Sweat is your worst enemy in the cold, dressing too warm and you'll get sweaty quick and when the sweat starts to freeze is when things get dangerous.
Hadn't been into Wilderness in a bit so I was surprised to see the entrance had been graded and covered with limestone. While this section was pretty eroded, I hope it's not a sign that the city wants to put more limestone trails over the top of existing single track. If you ask me the second picture looks perfect, who would want to mess with natures perfection?
Wilderness was in good shape for the most part, not a lot of snow but they freezing temps helped to keep the track solid and rolling good.
We did have to get a little creative at Pioneers but it looks like the work there is almost done so things should be back to normal soon.
The most amount of snow we saw in the entire park was on the bridge across Salt Creek.
Did a quick regroup under danger bridge before deciding to head back as some folks were getting cold and others had things they needed to do yet today.
The ride back seemed much quicker than the ride in, once out of the Park folks started splitting off and heading home ending another SMNDFBR. While natures colors are drab this time of year, it seems that everyone's winter clothes are all the colors of the rainbow. It's like a rolling Skittles bag!
The rest of us miscreants with nowhere to be ended up at Method for more shenanigans.
I even opted for a coffee on Saturday, that warm cup helped with the chilly hands and the warm coffee helped to warm the soul.
It wasn't all coffee though, we were all meeting up for gravel 2019 planning and kept sliding down N Street on our way there but before getting there, those tasty Hot Apple Ciders at Saro were calling our names.
The day ended with pizza, salad and plotting and charting all of the various gravel races that are near or not so near Lincoln for next year. Probably the most productive part of the weekend if not the funnest part but I think we have the scheduled nailed down, so there is that. Saturday looks to be a bit warmer than it was this Saturday but there are also some 50 degree days in the forecast late in the week so we can always hope those 50s will slide right into Saturday.
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