First Winter Ride

Today was the first ride of the winter. It started with a trip to MEC to find some goggles and other gear for the season. I got a pair of fleece pants and a "cyclist" ear-covering headband (presumably it's called this because it's a little thinner than the generic MEC ear-coverings and thus fits under the helmet better.) I also got a cheap but lifesaving garment called a "neck gaiter"—honestly, these guys know to make winter sound exciting—and some lobster snowmobiler mitts from Army Surplus.

The afternoon was quite warm and very slushy; I'm surprised I didn't get wetter on the outside. But I was way over dressed and soaked in my own sweat by the time I reached the house, having not invested in any "wicking" material. (Wicking is for sucks anyway.)

The ride home was under cold and windless. Ideal conditions. It felt really great to be out there, the chilled air is completely exhilarating. Winter riding much like cross-country skiing in that way. The roads were still very rutty in many places; un-plowed snow combined with the day's slush froze into some respectable obstacles, but I managed to make it home in 50 minutes, as timed by this playlist: