RIDE this SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, meeting at 1 p.m. at the CAT Bicycle Cooperative at 1935 West Broad Street in Bethlhem.

Hi everybody – I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being indoors.  Let’s do a ride this week, even if only for a few miles and no matter how cold it is.  People who ride regularly in the Winter know that however limiting and even intimidating the weather can seem while we’re sitting inside, as long as you are properly equipped, once you are out riding, you feel GREAT!

Since the trails are mostly rutted ice pits right now, we’ll do a road ride.  As we will be riding in a group, we will be visible to drivers and we’ll stay on secondary roads; you should feel safe, even if road riding is not your usual gig.  We will set the pace, distance and route to accommodate the least among us, so please come if you have even the slightest inclination.

If the weather takes a turn for the crazy (ice or mega snow), we will update the ride status here on the website, so check in if you have any uncertainty about whether the ride is on.

Here’s proper equipment: Pay attention to keeping your hands and feet warm.  Thin layers of wool work best; these days there are also a host of hand and feet warmers that are effective.  Insulated boots and outer gloves are ideal.  Elsewhere on your body, many layers of thin clothing work much better than a few heavy layers. Your next-to-skin layers should be either a moisture-wicking fabric made for winter athletics or thin wool, which keeps you warm even when wet.  AVOID cotton which holds moisture.  Outer layers should also contain some wool. Having a windproof but breathable outer layer works. (Avoid unbreathable or unventilated waterproof fabrics, which will hold in moisture and make you colder.)   For your head and face, experiment with what works for you.  Full balaclavas might work, but many impair your breathing and sightline, and fog up your glasses.  A thin tight wool hat that covers your ears, along with a generous neck warmer that can be pulled up over the bottom of your face, works for some.  Plan some arrangement that allows you to wear your helmet.  Finally, if you dress warmly enough to be comfortable at the start of your ride, in all likelihood you will have to shed some layers as you warm up (yes, no matter how cold it is outside, you will generate warmth and sweat), so be sure to bring something to carry your extra layers.

Let’s ride!