* 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

[creadinger]

@NicDiesel 72928 wrote:

After careful consideration and a few failed riding attempts I’m going to have to sit out the 2014 edition of Freezing Saddles. One thing that I overestimated when I considered riding this winter here in Minneapolis was the state of my immune system. As some of you may know I had a pretty serious health scare four years ago that left me with a seriously compromised immune system that makes riding under normal winter weather conditions difficult. To be fair, December here has been colder than normal (December 24th was the coldest day in 2013 with -14 wet bulb temp) but my immune system is just not up to the task for outdoor riding this winter. I’m hoping that after I drop another 50-60lbs I can get back to riding year round but, for right now, I have to listen to my body and stay indoors.

Hey man, don’t sweat it. “Winter” here is balmy compared to MN. The 40’s?? You may not see them again until mid-February. Few people are properly geared for riding in 15 degrees F, let alone 15 degrees BELOW zero which happens there routinely. It’s downright dangerous without the proper gear. If you can stay healthy, you’ll have a really nice summer of long days, and mild temperatures to look forward too.

[jrenaut]

@NicDiesel 72928 wrote:

…I have to listen to my body and stay indoors.

Biking is supposed to make you happier and healthier. Since right now it wouldn’t be doing that, it sounds like you’re making the right choice, and we all hope you can 1) get back out there soon and 2) take part in Freezing Saddles 2015

[NicDiesel]

@creadinger 73036 wrote:

Hey man, don’t sweat it. “Winter” here is balmy compared to MN. The 40’s?? You may not see them again until mid-February. Few people are properly geared for riding in 15 degrees F, let alone 15 degrees BELOW zero which happens there routinely. It’s downright dangerous without the proper gear. If you can stay healthy, you’ll have a really nice summer of long days, and mild temperatures to look forward too.

Definitely. It’s disappointing that I’m not getting to ride outside but I knew it would probably take me a year to get used to just living here given the long, frigid winters, much less ride year round. What I didn’t anticipate is just how weak my immune system still is and how much the cold weather seems to be affecting my breathing. But hey, I’m still above ground and I can still exercise and ride so it’s not all bad, just a speed bump on the road to Kick Ass-ville.

[seunpu]

I heard that! Dark and cold are fine but not rain and anything below 45

[cyclingfool]

@seunpu 73050 wrote:

I heard that! Dark and cold are fine but not rain and anything below 45

If it’s not below 45, it’s not cold. :p

[KLizotte]

@NicDiesel 73039 wrote:

Definitely. It’s disappointing that I’m not getting to ride outside but I knew it would probably take me a year to get used to just living here given the long, frigid winters, much less ride year round. What I didn’t anticipate is just how weak my immune system still is and how much the cold weather seems to be affecting my breathing. But hey, I’m still above ground and I can still exercise and ride so it’s not all bad, just a speed bump on the road to Kick Ass-ville.

Hey Nick, you may wish to consider swimming thru the winter months. Amazing workout and the humid air will help with breathing issues. Easy on the joints too. When I was living through the long, dark London winters swimming is about the only thing that kept me sane.

Best of luck, stay healthy!

[Arlingtonrider]

Freezing saddles began at midnight! Heading out again shortly to earn some more non-points for the Slacker team!

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Arlingtonrider 73113 wrote:

Freezing saddles began at midnight! Heading out again shortly to earn some more non-points for the Slacker team!

Heading out on New Year’s Morning? That’s a Slacker disqualification for sure.

[Jason B]

Started early today, and it was one of my coldest starts yet. This is going to be a cold couple months!

[Mikey]

The wife had a 5k race in Restin this morning, might as well rack out the kids and go for a short ride while she ran. Cold fingers and toes, but not too much whining. #Kidical

[ejwillis62]

Freezing saddles is on. Had the 5K race in reston this morning, ran 3.1 miles in 32 minutes and then came home took a nap and went out to ride a quick loop around the neighborhood. I wanted my points.
See you all at the happy hour tomorrow.
LIZ W.

[jrenaut]

I didn’t get home until 5pm today, so I got a late start, but I got a quick ride in (my first Freezing Saddles ride EVER unless you count the ride to the happy hour after last year’s challenge ended). It’s kinda funny looking on Strava.

[sethpo]

@KelOnWheels 71221 wrote:

There should be a bonus for riding in this: http://dangerousminds.net/comments/horrifying_full_body_spandex_santa_claus_suit

Found it!

http://www.anytimecostumes.com/halloween-santa-claus-skin-suit-adult-R880543.html

$40. My kids would be HORRIFIED….which makes it a must have.

[KelOnWheels]

I had great plans to get up and go Circle with the Cycles this morning… my bronchitis had other plans. I apologize to my team in advance

[Vicegrip]

@Jason B 73116 wrote:

Started early today, and it was one of my coldest starts yet. This is going to be a cold couple months!

Per the Garmin it was 21 deg past Reston on the W&OD early this am before old sol got up. My feet bricked after about 30 miles. Time for more insulation.

[Author]

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