Winter layering--don't get caught in the cold!

You ask: Steve, how do you prepare for riding in the cold??
I answer:
I start with a good wicking longsleeve base layer. EMS Techwick works great and you can usually find last years colors on sale or hit one of their sales. Smart wool is even better but pricier. Another breathable shortsleeve layer (bike jersey or tech T) over that and a breathable shell and you're good. Oh yeah, pants. regular bike shorts under long tights or bib tights. Duct tape your vented shoes or get a pair of winter booties to go over them. Winter shoes are also pricey but well worth it. Don't damage your feet like I did kids, keep them warm!  Also, keep the melon covered. Again, a thin wool cap or headsweat under the brain bucket. Wool or tech socks and at least lull fingered gloves if not lightly insulated gloves.  You should feel a little chill in the parking lot. Once you get cranking you'll warm up. May even need to unzip or remove your shell.  If you stop for any length of time you will feel the chill again, which is why I carry an emergency space blanket in my pack .if you are immobilized for some reason it could save your life.
You may find you need another layer at temps below 20 and a neck warmer...general rule is if you keep your core warm, your extremities will stay warm. If your fingers or toes are feeling icy, stop after you ride 20 minutes or so, and you'll feel them warm up. Experiment with layering all parts, this is just what works for me, but I hope it helps!

It's been awhile...

Yeah it's been awhile since my last post, I think which mentioned my smart purchase of that TransAm 29er. I love that bike! I bought it pretty much stock, with a nice fork upgrade since I was using my own wheels. The things I changed:

• Handlebars were 5" wider than my current bars were. I threw a Salsa ProMoto on there that I had, sweet! Only change I would make there would be to go carbon, when I can afford it. 
• Thudbuster. I bought the correct size, so I don't need shims. I hate shimmage. And now I have a new Thudbuster!
• Went back to 1-by.  I couldn't accept having two shifters again. I removed the FD and replaced the 38/24 'rings with one 34T Raceface Narrow/Wide. The chain hasn't even thought of falling off, although I still have the bashguard only because I need shorter chainring bolts....
• Saddle. Swapped out the decent stock one for my old standby, the WTB Rocket V.

Other than that, the brakes, stem, RD and shifter are stock. I mighta saved a few $ building it up, but then again maybe not. The fork is worth much more than the frame, and the Fox ctd etc etc with Kashima Sushimi Ryuchi Sakamoto coating does NOT come with the stock bike.
The paint is super durable. Every time I hear a rock kick up and whack the frame, I look for a scratch or something. NOTHING, so far!
I guess you could say I'm very happy with the bike!

Maiden Voyage again

Well, after a failed attempt at riding a medium, I got the large. Always considered myself a 'medium' rider, but the TT length was an inch too short in the medium Transition TransAm 29. The medium was a sweet blood-red color, but the large white even better. I don't really care for bike colors other than really dark or neutral colors. I would've preferred black but the white with black pinstripes fits well with my Charger wheelset and all the other parts. And if I wanna jackass around with colors, I can add my green alien mojo or something. Only a matter of time before I stain it with my own blood anyways. At least the paintjob seems really durable, with the graphics under a good clearcoat.

Jones'n

Jones'n's* gettin the better of me. After a couple Blue Hills IPA's t the Fat Cat I decided that in the morning, I will mount my 18yo homebrew-studded Fisher Fattrax on the 'ol 26er and ride in whatever I may encounter. I guess that would require some documentation, so stay tuned for pix......


*def.  jones'n
To really crave something. Such as a food or drug that gives you pleasure or relief.

At least I got one ride in this week

Less free time  means less chances to ride....such is my life right now. Two jobs is good for the $$ but makes me get more creative with my time, but even when I do, energy levels are lower....
Anyways, I still rode one morning this week since saturday, and plan to at least hit the trainer tomorrow if not ride but the sh!ttty weather right now isn't promising much.

And the extra dough, some of it, squirreling away for bike-related ( new bike..) purchases and trailhead gas...
Then there's always the early-morning weekend ride.....trail or road doesnt much matter to the jones'n.....

How to properly remove a crown race. First make sure your machete is very sharp

With alternating patches of snow and dirt I both trudge and float over the blizzard's remains.