My unwritten rule: do not ride when the temperature is less than 60 degrees. This has developed over the years from when I had no problem, or hesitation, riding with the temperature in the 30’s. The story at the Humble Lions Club Ride was mid-40’s temperatures, clouds and a light breeze out of the southeast. But some rules are made to be broken sometimes, so I lined up with probably more than 500 riders for the 55 mile route.

The person in charge of the start line gave the instructions and sent out the first wave at 8:08 AM. I was dressed with two long sleeve jerseys, a windproof jacket, leg warmers and full fingered gloves. Even with this uniform I still felt cold. Around me I saw some brave riders dressed in short-sleeved T-shirts and bike shorts. I wondered how they could possibly keep warm.

Some pictures at the starting area. Click on the picture to see the larger picture.

I asked the lady if she was going to take the blanket on the ride. She said she would need a bungee cord if she did.

These riders are registering.

One rider entering the finish area.

The ride was uneventful except for the very cold toes. A few riders were wise enough to have toe-warmers. At rest stop 5 while waiting in the portable toilet line, the man behind me joked about his fellow rider who was wearing white shoes with black toe-warmers. The man behind me said the only reason they allowed the white shoe rider to be with them was that the black toe-warmers covered up half of the shoe. Looking around I did notice white shoes were rare. Rest stop 5 had Fig Newtons and other cookies staffed with friendly volunteers. This is where my toes started to return to a warm state.

Our 55 mile route covered some of my regular riding roads but it was interesting to see the other roads. The changes in some communities since my last ride were noticeable. Next week’s Gator Ride will overlap onto some of the same roads.

By 10:30 the sun was starting to break through the clouds and the temperature was moving upward. Arriving at the finish at 12:06 I put the bike away and went to enjoy the spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. The rider seated across from me said he was going home to mow his grass, a fitting conclusion to any bike ride. The subject of saddles came up and I mentioned that I saw one rider with an Avocet saddle. I don’t think Avocet saddles have been sold for 20 years so this rider must have found his preferred saddle.

Overall the ride was well managed, volunteers strategically placed, route markers where they needed to be and the rest stops cheerfully staffed. Now if we can just work on the temperature part for next year.