* Freezing Saddles 2014 *

[Rod Smith]

@dasgeh 70883 wrote:

We’re all in the same boat. Answer honestly.

I encourage returning participants to use the weekly mileage they rode last year between Jan 1 and March 20 as a baseline. It’s a little dishonest but in my case more fair. I’m not a 201 mile/week rider. I’ve averaged 269 over the last 52 weeks, 258 during Freezing Saddles 2013. Part of the challenge for me will be beating my handicap.

@Greenbelt 70894 wrote:

I’m planning to get back on Metro from time to time this winter if the weather’s bad, at least in the evening. Maybe.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

@Mikey 70887 wrote:

Submitted ! Sooooo excited. I estimated more miles than I have in Nov and Dec so far, but less than I did in Jan last year (longer commute last year).
I think it will all work out, and if not, here’s hoping we get a TON of snow – the great equalizer.

If it dumps, I’m going skiing.

[rcannon100]

I think I am going to have to come up with a pointless prize for best answer to the superfluous question. So far, the best answer…..

Waffles

[KayakCyndi]

In! Last year was so awesome. Freezing Saddles kept me on the bike all winter and, in fact, got me so used to riding that I haven’t been able to stop yet!

[ShawnoftheDread]

I’ve signed up, Lord help me.

[consularrider]

@Rod Smith 70959 wrote:

I encourage returning participants to use the weekly mileage they rode last year between Jan 1 and March 20 as a baseline. It’s a little dishonest but in my case more fair. I’m not a 201 mile/week rider. I’ve averaged 269 over the last 52 weeks, 258 during Freezing Saddles 2013. Part of the challenge for me will be beating my handicap…

Well, I’m supposed to make a couple of trips south during the challenge (of course I said that last year) with only hotel fitness center stationary bike which won’t count. Just trying to keep it real.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@rcannon100 70961 wrote:

I think I am going to have to come up with a pointless prize for best answer to the superfluous question. So far, the best answer…..

I hope it’s a good prize!

[birddog]

I just signed up!

[culimerc]

We’re all going to die!!!!

[creadinger]

@culimerc 71003 wrote:

We’re all going to die!!!!

I hope not. I just signed up.

Looking at my past ride data, last winter I really didn’t ride much (though I was still able to do a 200K in February somehow. Huh.), so I used my averages from this fall, which are more consistent. I’m still not sure whether I want to use the coming winter to get back in shape for more randonneuring next year, or whether I want to get in shape to do 5K runs, while exercising our dog at the same time. I don’t think I can do both.

Either way, this will help get me out of the house to commute or get groceries, etc…

[dkel]

@culimerc 71003 wrote:

We’re all going to die!!!!

I’m really thinking hard about signing up, but having never ridden through an entire winter, and I’ll admit I’m fearful. That said, I’ve ridden five or six days a week for almost three months now (cold, windy, and rainy days included), and I’ve been ok so far. Is personal fortitude the most important element in this competition? I may have some of that. In any case, I’ll be scouring previous posts about winter riding, guaranteed!

[jrenaut]

@dkel 71015 wrote:

…In any case, I’ll be scouring previous posts about winter riding, guaranteed!

You’ll need this thread.

As they say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. And freezing rain. F*** that s***.

[dasgeh]

@Rod Smith 70959 wrote:

I encourage returning participants to use the weekly mileage they rode last year between Jan 1 and March 20 as a baseline. It’s a little dishonest but in my case more fair. I’m not a 201 mile/week rider. I’ve averaged 269 over the last 52 weeks, 258 during Freezing Saddles 2013. Part of the challenge for me will be beating my handicap.

But seriously, if we’re all answering differing questions, the handicap won’t work as intended. The question is not “how far/often do you expect to ride during FS 2014?” It could be, and we could each figure out an answer for that, based on our own situations. The question is “how far/often have you/will you have ridden in Nov/Dec?” We all live in a place that changes for Thanksgiving and Xmas (offices closed, more shopping, lots of travel), so we’re in basically the same boat.

I answered for Nov/Dec even though I bike commute a little less these months and take time off. So if others are answering the first question, I’m sandbagging.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@dkel 71015 wrote:

I’m really thinking hard about signing up, but having never ridden through an entire winter, and I’ll admit I’m fearful. That said, I’ve ridden five or six days a week for almost three months now (cold, windy, and rainy days included), and I’ve been ok so far. Is personal fortitude the most important element in this competition? I may have some of that. In any case, I’ll be scouring previous posts about winter riding, guaranteed!

Having been on one of the lowest-placing teams last year (although we had the highest average speed, because ELITE), which included a member who ended up riding hardly at all, I don’t think anyone is seriously going to hold it against you if you sign up and don’t rack up a lot of miles. I’d say sign up…best case, you ride a ton. Worst case, you don’t get a pointless prize and your teammates mock you mercilessly.

[rcannon100]

@TwoWheelsDC 71022 wrote:

. Worst case, you don’t get a pointless prize and your teammates mock you mercilessly.

This is modern day America. You get a prize just for showing up! I still have mine!

[Vicegrip]

In.

My bike is going to hate me after this.

[Author]

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