That’s me. I haven’t been posting much lately because I haven’t been riding much lately. And I haven’t been riding much because the weather has been lousy around here.
Not only has it been cold — okay, cold in Austin is anything below 40 degrees (4C) — but it’s been wet, too. We’ve had lots of rain over the last week, and even if it was midsummer, I probably wouldn’t do any riding. But with daytime temps not getting out of the 30s, the bike was not on my mind.

Now, I know lots of you ride in much colder weather. You know what’s keeping me from joining you? I’ve become a weather wuss. I grew up around Chicago, and lived for more than 20 years in Minnesota. I can handle the cold. That is, I used to be able to handle the cold. Fifteen years down here and my blood has thinned out. We were in Minnesota in November a couple of years ago, and I thought I was gonna die! Not really, but man, was it cold. I’m glad I moved away from it.
Living in a mild climate means you don’t have an abundance of cold-weather riding gear, either. I can bundle up to handle anything down to about that magic 40-degree mark, but not much colder than that.
So, guess what I did Sunday? I rode the bike! Took it out in the afternoon for a little over an hour. It was sweet. Never thought 45 degrees could feel so temperate.
But Monday, when I had planned to get out again, it didn’t happen. I wandered outside around 2 p.m., stood around for awhile, and decided it wasn’t as nice as Sunday. Maybe Tuesday. Maybe.
I hear ya, the weather has been wet and cold but on Sunday the sun broke out and I was in full winter cycling gear for the mid 50’s! I can ride in 100+ heat but the cold really gets to me. 75 would be ideal.
Despite circulation problems still get out, temperatures hovering just above and below °C, but double gloves, roubaix bib tights, layers and waterproof seem to do the trick. This year my fingers & feet have been better as well, for reasons unknown. Ah well, make the best of the high temp. days.
What’s the old saying? “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Here in Southeast Texas it’s been in the low 40’s with rain, and 90% humidity when it’s not raining, and windy all day. Except for one quick 3 mile jaunt down the road and back a couple of weeks ago, to see where all the fire trucks went (a house got hit by lightening), I haven’t been on The Hoss in close to a month now. Christmas took up a lot of time, and the weather took a little more; plus with all these dreary days, I’m kind of wanting to hibernate. This is pretty much our normal weather pattern this time of the year, so it too will pass soon enough. It’s suspose to rain again tomorrow, and then a little sun next day or so, so we should barely make it into the 50’s — I’m looking forward to it. I do a little Geocaching on the bike, and there’s 3 new ones in striking distance I’ve been itching to get to. I’ve been enjoying your blog. Austin sounds like a great place to ride. In this area there’s not many bike lanes, and a lot of very busy roads to cross, but there’s some improved sholders, and the folks in cars seem to be rather tolerant. Stay warm, stay dry.
I’m working on it. If it would just stop misting, I might head out. This stuff is persistent! Forecast calls for sun Thursday afternoon. Maybe then.
Same here. I picked up limbs in the yard today, and there was just this mist all day, with 43 degree temperature. As I drove to the grocery store this afternoon, I passed by the Jr. High School, and saw at least a dozen bikes in the rack, and thought to myself, “yep; I’m a weather wuss.”, but 60’s & sunshine are coming this weekend. My only excuse then will be all the pecan pie & ice cream I’ve been packing away for the Winter. HAHA!
Simple solution. Get rid of your car. When the weather turns ugly, get up and ride to work so you can pay the rent and buy groceries. Repeat until weather improves.
Problem solved.