Ride

Overnight snow above Geysers, persistent rain in the valley through the morning… cold under heavy dark cloud cover. This one looks uncomfortable, and I wasn’t properly prepared… Minimal training heading out of winter, 60 miles and much climbing sounded kind of daunting even without the conditions as a factor. I forgot so many small things; my multitool, my water bottles… toothpaste. Jay forgot his cold-weather gear, was riding in shorts, no gloves… We’ve both fumbled this one like a couple of rookies.

The route north along the western side of the valley along Dry Creek is quite pleasant, peacefully rolling through foothill farms and vineyards. Kept the pace up mostly to cover ground quickly and stay warm…

Cloverdale was the point where we to make a call whether to skip the dodgy semi-paved road and steep climb up Geysers into the snow (and the inevitable frozen rapid descent). With heavy cold and misery soaking in, we opted onto the shorter Medio route back to Windsor, a long soul-sapping grind home through the headwind. Bike, kit, face all a mess of road grit and undefined organic matter…

Gear notes:

• It’s not glamorous or exotic, but the Defy really is a peach of a ride all built up with choice contact points: superb Ritchey WCS Streem II flat-top bars wrapped in Fizik microtex tape and Antares R1 saddle.
• This ride put Ceramicspeed’s UFO chain wax drip to the test. That is some magical witchcraft alchemy at work; silky happy silent smooth drivetrain despite all the gritty grimy road gunk flying around coating everything.
• Gore C3 Gloves are ok from the mid-40’s but can’t handle the low 40’s; need something warmer in conditions like these.
• Pearl Izumi Thermal bibs are so good, even with some challenges from the constant road spray there’s no wind chill and the legs stayed comfortable. Simply not aware of how funky the conditions are.
• Ornot’s Magic Shell jacket blocked the wind and rain and spray, kept the heat in but did get a bit swampy inside; temps were always reasonable so I hadn’t really noticed my lightweight House jersey and merino base were pretty soaked.
• Ass saver. This little flap of plastic kept my backside dry (and thus, not frozen)… weighs nothing, takes up no space. So clever when you need it…