Info is over here.

Yesterday we set out to ride one hundred miles in what began as the coldest start in memory. The thermometer read negative four just before departure and the winds were steady out of the Southeast.

Unsure about what to expect, I loaded the Raleigh with an extra large saddle bag to store an extra down jacket (assuming I'd need it in the event of any kind of mechanical). I also layered myself with bib knickers, long underpants, tights and a pair of double knee work pants. Up top I had a base layer, short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, long sleeve wind front jersey and a shell from O2 Rainwear. All things considered, I was pretty much golden for the temperature...except for my footwear. I wore my regular mountain shoes with wool socks and a neoprene shoe cover and knew it was too little, but hey, it's all I've got.

Two miles in we climbed out of Rochester up the fairly long, but not too steep Viola Rd NE.  Once at the top we decided we'd keep heading North and East and cutting across the wind. This wasn't a bad approach considering the temperature and the wind combo, but it made for pretty slow going all the way to Dover. The trick I have learned, with riding in cold weather, is not to over-exert and get to warm to fast. A steady cadence and a slow pace allow for a longer ride without risking getting too hot, blowing up and ultimately getting so cold you can't stand it. Looking back, I was solid all day, with the one exception being my feet. Ten miles in I had to get off the bike and run next to it to get the blood flowing back down to my feet (a trick that actually works). As the miles ticked away, the time I spent off the bike running next to it increased. I think all day I was off the bike five times trying to get some feeling back in my southern most extremities.

As the sun and the temperature began to rise we turned with the wind and headed back for Rochester, as we knew we would be out of time to get in the full century. The ride back in took quite a bit less time than the ride out and was significantly more pleasant (no degree needed to figure out the physics on this part).

All in all it was a great day to be on the bike, plus I was able to take away a couple of things to improve on for next time (some of which I already knew). First being the start time to weather quotient. If it's sub zero and it's going to warm up, wait to start at a later time. Chances are if the start gets pushed back, the ride will likely be a little faster and a little longer as the concern around freezing off parts of the body decreases. Two, (which kind of contradicts one) if there is a window within which I have time to ride my bike uninterrupted I should take it, every time. Third, if I have an opportunity to stop at the Roadtrip bar in Dover, MN I should do it without question. Fourth, ride time is a benefit regardless of pace, distance, etc. Fifth, Bar Mitts are incredible. Sixth, and most importantly, it doesn't matter what you ride as long as it fits and you like it (boys bike, girls bike, fat bike, skinny bike, upright, recumbent, ride what ya brung, come one come all).

• Flanders
• Catalan
• Basque
• Early French Bicycle Manufacturers
• Bartabac
• "Amongst the Beasts and the Sharks"
• Algiers
• Charles de Gaulle
• Indochina
• "3 Carats, 8 Points"
• Marcel Boucan
• Corsica
• "Killing Pablo"
• Captain Morgan
• White Russian
• A quote, "no arms, no violence and without hatred"
• Thermal lances