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Remember this scene from Thislife's recent tour of the Delta. We passed it on our Thursday breakfast ride today and noted that it had been decorated for the season. By the way the College Cyclery as noted on the truck door is a still a thriving bike shop in south Sacramento.

After looking at all the camping alternatives for bikes the last few days, I decided to add a bit of versatility to my own road bike.







The rack only adds about 170 grams extra weight to the bike, and the bag adds about 265 grams....empty of course. I'm sure by the time I add enough "stuff" to take me on an overnighter it'll add about 150 pounds. All kidding aside, I noticed more bikes with racks and bags like this at the "tour de Trees" ride than ever, and it seems to be a growing trend. Into these things disappeared all the extra cold weather clothing, food, extra gloves, rain gear, tools, spare tubes, spare parts, pumps, etc. I have a smaller bag as well, but it weighs empty a little more than this larger one does. It also has the added advantage of making a solid platform for my rear light. I got this with the idea that I would probably take the rack off and put it on when I needed it, but after lifting the bike with it on and riding it a short distance, I may change my mind and leave the rack on permanently. I can also attach the frame mounted pump to it and get it out of the way.

Is it a bike, a trike, RV or what? Hope it has some granny gears for the hills.

I loved the camp trailer posted by dstorm earlier. That got me to peekin' around on the web to see what was out there. Here you go folks, and yes its a bicycle trailer (Kamp-Rite Midget):





I had no idea this stuff was out there! And, you can even get it camo! I'm sure that will get my non-cycling, hunting enthusiast husband all excited to go biking with me! Get your Christmas list out and put it on it, its only $850. I'm thinking if my Yak can't handle my tent and sleeping bag, my credit card and a motel can!

Happy biking, or is that camping.....no its biking!

Seeing as how I have nothing better to do today, I thought I'd have a little fun with languages. It Is very cold outside today indeed, 43 degrees with a wind of 24-30 gusting out of the northwest. I took the mountain bike and rode east for 6 miles, this was a lot of fun as it felt almost as fast as a road bike. I wasn't even cold.....yet! I was dressed warmly enough with a base layer under my Adidas winter-weight jersey, my mid-weight Cannondale padded tights, winter weight gloves, skull cap, (I wished on the way back I had worn my balclava), and my feet were toasty in my DeFeet Wool Blaze socks. I should have been plenty warm enough, and indeed I was ...... heading east. Then I turned around for what turned out to be a very long and tiring trip the 6 miles back. The wind, that same wind I was loving on the way east, turned into a mean, bitter enemy on the way back. Not only was it strong, it was COLD. Biting into my face and making my nose run twice as fast as I was. See, this is why Dick posted his wonderful topic of cold weather riding. I should have known....right? My legs stayed warm, but my butt was cold, my face felt like I had stuck it in the freezer. Uphill for 4 miles, then down "My Intimidator", I actually didn't have to pedal, but never coasted more than 10 mph down that steep hill. Finally, up the short steep hill into my neighborhood, and the final half mile home. Then, for good measure I decided to take a couple laps around my lot..... 600 feet per lap, half down, the other half up. This turned out to be about as much of a workout as the ride back. Not only did I have the wind, but the recent rains made my ground very soft, and it was all I could do to come back up the uphill side. Well, I wanted a workout..... and I definitely got one. Out of breath, legs somewhat on the sore side, hey, I haven't ridden in a couple of weeks, but feeling happy anyway. I've been out the last couple of rainy nights walk/jogging, but it's just not the same. It's been the whole summer since I've been on the mountain bike and I had forgotten how much harder they were to pedal, and I have a very light mountain bike. At least I know the season isn't over yet! Going to have to do something about the cold butt though.

Looking thru this week's Road Bike Rider, I noticed an article by Davis Phinney who still lives in Boulder, CO.
I actually met him in Boulder a few years ago. He's a soft-spoken, very likeable guy.
(His parting words to me were "Keep on biking."

Here's an excerpt of his cold weather tips and followup comments from the RBR editor.

" Phinney's Tips for Winter Riding

* Ride with a friend or group. Sharing conversation as well as a draft helps the miles go by. But group rides must be cohesive. Don't let them degenerate into hammerfests. You shouldn't do any hard, fast riding when the temperature is below 50F degrees (10C). Instead, use winter to accumulate base miles.

* Don't overdress. If you're not chilly in the first few minutes, you have probably worn too much and will overheat.

* Start with hot drinks in freezing temperatures and use insulated bottles or covers to increase the time before liquids turn to slush.

* Be wary of shaded corners, which may hide ice.

* Wear light, bright colors to help motorists see you on dim days.

* Install rear reflectors or carry reflective ankle bands for times when dusk catches you a few minutes from home.

* Carry two tubes. Patching a tube with freezing fingers isn't easy, should a second flat occur.

* Don't stop for long, if at all. Resumption of the windchill will make you cold, and you may be unable to shake the shivers for the rest of the ride.

* Ride short on frigid days. As a rule, you can be fairly comfortable for 90 minutes in subfreezing temperatures. But things may deteriorate quickly after that, particularly if you have raised a sweat.

* Take time to recover after riding. Winter takes more out of you. Because of the elements and your lower fitness level, a 50-mile (90-km) winter ride feels like 80 miles (128 km).

* Be extra careful when you've been sick. Don't try to make up a week of lost training by riding before you're completely well. There is plenty of time to get back on track when spring arrives.

* Even if you live where winters are mild, you still need to go easy. Use winter for recovery. Don't get caught in the flying-in-January, dead-by-June trap.

That's useful advice from a true gentleman of cycling and one that all of us at RBR are pulling for. Ten years ago at age 40 Davis was stricken with Parkinson's disease, rare in such a young and healthy man. It changed his life for sure, but he hasn't let it stop him from riding, coaching and, along with wife Connie Carpenter, raising their son Taylor Phinney, one of the brightest young stars in bike racing.

Davis also devotes much of his time to the Phinney Foundation, begun in 2004 to improve the quality of life for Parkinson's victims. About 3 years ago he underwent an innovative form of brain surgery that successfully reduced the tremors caused by the disease."

Well, rats! Woke up this morning and yesterday to icky weather, better known as non-biking weather. I guess I could bring my bike in and tune it up so I would quit mumbling ugly things when it changes gears while I'm riding, but that would require putting my shoes on and going out to the Suburban where it's cold. Then there's the fact that the stand is in the guest room where my brother-in-law is staying for the weekend. Guess I will try and finish up those two baby quilts before those two babies start college.

Hope someone got to ride out there!

Well, I can't remember a worse September/October in all my riding years. Most of my riding has been indoors. :( But this past Sunday I took a 32 mile ride on the most beautiful fall day I can remember in years. (Maybe it's just because I've been suffering from bicycle cabin fever.) All the leaves are mostly gone but that's OK; it might as well have been a green spring day. I rejoiced in the fresh air and the occasional leaf burning that was going on along parts of my country ride. My daughter was supposed to ride with me but she woke up not feeling well. I felt this would ruin my ride and although I really missed having her on the ride, I made the most of it. I had a lot of "meditaion time" and really enjoyed the day. I log all my rides but this one is a ride I won't have to look up to remember.

We don't have hills to climb in South Florida, unless you count the Key Biscayne Bridge, but we do have wind. In spite of the predictions of 20 mph winds with gusts to 30, off we went this morning. It was like eating dessert first and then being faced with a plate of lima beans. We ride about 20 miles south of us to have breakfast at the only Rexall Drug Store around. They still have booths as well as counter service. After breakfast we knew what was coming--wind from the ENE. Just the direction we had to go to return home. At one point, heading straight east, I thought I was actually moving backward. Home safe and sound, no worse for the experience, but glad we went. I'm not sure if this is just a front moving through or if our weather is being effected by Ida, but this type of wind is not unusual in the winter.