* Freezing Saddles 2014 *

[rcannon100]

Registration is now open.

Freezing Saddles is a commuter challenge organized by the volunteer efforts of the Bike Arlington / WABA forum. It is a hat style tournament where cyclists are randomly assigned to teams of ~8 based on handicaps, creating teams that will have roughly the same handicap value. The challenge runs from Jan. 1 to the end of winter. Cyclists earn 1 point for each mile ridden and 10 points for each day ridden (and yes, riding means outdoors – it is Freezing Saddles not Living Room Saddles). Participants must be part of the forum and be members of Strava. More than that and what awards will be awarded, well that’s up to the volunteers.

Registration closes Dec. 24th. There will be no late registrations this year. Teams will be announced on the forum by the end of the month.

Freezing Saddles is a self organized effort of the participants. Freezing Saddles is not sponsored by anyone (it is not sponsored by Bike Arlington or by WABA). There is no organization. It is just a bunch of people coming together to be silly and ride bikes when it is really really cold. Your participation in Freezing Saddles is voluntary and at your own risk and you have not paid anyone anything to participate. Please volunteer to help make this self organized effort succeed.

Topic

[DismalScientist]

I’m over 200 miles off last years pace.

[vvill]

@DismalScientist 77932 wrote:

I’m over 200 miles off last years pace.

We’re all waiting for your commute via WV!

I’m at less than 50% of last year’s pace mileage wise, but I’m fine with that as I’m not a captain this year. And actually I’m still above my estimated weekly mileage, whilst still increasing it gradually so I can ride in good health and for longer come spring/summer. No crashes either, which is good given the weather we’ve had.

[KelOnWheels]

I’ve ridden a whopping 72.6 miles this year.

This time last year I was at 338

[hozn]

Yeah, I have ridden a fraction of last year’s miles (less than 50% I am sure), but feel great about it (that is why I am on the slacker team / not really playing this game!). Somehow I have managed to lose 8 lbs despite the reduced riding, so this should pay off as I start increasing the mileage. On the whole, I am probably in better shape; by this time last year my body was feeling pretty worn out.

[dasgeh]

This time last year I was on maternity leave. So I’ve ridden infinitely more so far this year than by this time last year!

[ShawnoftheDread]

I’m way down from last year too, but I’ve managed to ride everyday at least.

[dkel]

I wasn’t riding at all this time last year. I did make a deal with myself in September when I got into the commuting routine, that I would try to ride through the winter, and BAFS has not only helped me to realize that goal, but also to exceed my own expectations thoroughly: I’ve ridden every day this calendar year, often in conditions I would have likely avoided otherwise, and I’ve had no problems and enjoyed myself tremendously. My average mileage is %130 what I estimated it would be, and I’m having so much fun, and I’ve learned so much about cycling, that it will no doubt stay that way or increase after winter is over. Thanks, BAFS, and thanks, bikearlingtonforum!

[cvcalhoun]

Before I started BAFS, I was riding twice a week, for a total of 30 miles a week. Since BAFS began, I’ve ridden every day, for a total of over 60 miles a week. I had lost 8 lbs. in the year preceding BAFS; I’ve lost 11 lbs. (with no changes in diet) since BAFS began. Being on the winning team is just a bonus!

[consularrider]

@cvcalhoun 77958 wrote:

… Being on the winning team is just a bonus!

Don’t get cocky yet, we’ve still got four weeks to go.

[vvill]

@consularrider 77969 wrote:

Don’t get cocky yet, we’ve still got four weeks to go.

Yes, beware the wrath of DismalScientist.

[cvcalhoun]

True. But even if someone manages to pull ahead of our team, I don’t think they’ll find a way to reattach that 11 lbs.

@consularrider 77969 wrote:

Don’t get cocky yet, we’ve still got four weeks to go.

[Greenbelt]

Team francophone within 100 points of the sloppies this morning. Just saying.

Slackers still comfortably off the back.

[vvill]

Yeah I’m not sure who I’d put my money on at this point.

“mais Sûrement” sounds ominous. “Sloppy Seconds” too, in a different way. But what’s in a name?

[KayakCyndi]

@Greenbelt 78114 wrote:

Team francophone within 100 points of the sloppies this morning. Just saying.

Shhhh …. we’re trying to be sneaky!

[dasgeh]

I suspect the sleaze ride cut off isn’t working properly. On Saturday, I forgot to Strava my first ride. My second ride, which I did Strava, was only 0.5 miles. Before I manually entered the first ride, I saw that BAFS was counting me as having ridden 55 days, but I think without going over a mile, Saturday should have counted. Does that make sense?

Thanks

[Author]

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