winter riding

by Robbie

January is almost over and it's beginning to feel like spring in my mind. The weather was nice for a while, 40 and 50 degree afternoons, but it's back to being frigged. I'm currently in Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival and it's damn cold, but that hasn't stopped me! I brought my fixed gear and my rollers, just in case. I rode them the first night I was here because it was dark and -5 F, but I've been out every day and night since then. I'm really starting to get tired surprisingly. I don't ever remember feeling this fatigued in the winter, but then again I don't ever remember riding like this at this time of year.

Words of wisdom? As the good old Lord Nike says, "Just do it." I certainly failed to just do it in the late fall, but I'm starting to get back on track. The cold is really not that bad. What is bad is being unprepared. The same idea applies year-round. If you are unprepared you are at great risk of being absolutely miserable, which then leads to questions like, "why do I do this shit in the first place?"

Being prepared applies to numerous facets of the sport, such as weather, fuel, and fitness. In all of the above, the best motto is "Be Prepared."

*But at the same time, don't be afraid to take a few risks, that's what it's all about.