I’d like to purchase some of your finest beer please.

It is so hard to go through all the steps required for a long ride when the temperatures are below freezing. Looking at my watch first thing freaked me out even more when it said 26°F. I grabbed my phone and checked a couple weather apps and found that the temperature was a much balmier 32°F. I enjoyed a quick breakfast before finally getting dressed for the ride. I did end up leaving just a few minutes later than I had originally planned.

Picked up Joy at our usual corner and almost made it to Starr before she had a flat. Before I started working I sent Larry a text message letting him know we were stopped and dealing with a flat. The plan was for the three of us to meet at Cactus and Las Vegas Blvd before making our way over to Pedal and Pour. I guess Joy must have hit something causing a pinch flat on the front wheel. The front flat was a welcome change to the rash of rear flats I’ve been dealing with lately. Getting it fixed took only 15 minutes, but now we were even further behind schedule for the 7:30 Pedal and Pour start time.

We arrived 20 minutes late and I was surprised that Robert and the crew hadn’t started without us. Both Joy and I decided to make a quick stop into the restroom before we got under way. While we were inside Pedal and Pour, Anthony, Zack, and Jack all started off anticipating we’d catch up to them before too long.

The ride was pretty straight forward, and went really well. The climb up Lake Mead to the new gate and guard shack was really nice. I do wish the overall climb was more steady instead of the varying pitches it currently has, but oh well. We made our way down and through the new neighborhoods in search of a taco truck. We finally got to where it was supposed to be parked and no taco truck to be found! Robert asked a couple of guys and it seems we were about 30 minutes early. So instead of hanging around waiting we decided to make our way down to John Cutter for breakfast instead, which was amazing.

After breakfast we made a quick ride back to Pedal and Pour to wrap up the “official” ride. While I was there I checked in on my helmet order and also asked to take a saddle out for a spin. I don’t know what made me do it, but at some point along the ride I pushed down on my saddle and noticed one side was squishier than the other. Upon further inspection I found that the shell of the saddle was actually cracked. So a new saddle is in order, but I wanted to try the narrower version before I commit to a new one. The crew at Pedal and Pour were clutch, allowing me to swap a loaner saddle of the exact size and type onto Shadow for me to try over the next couple days. Based on just the second half of today’s ride I think I’m going to pull the trigger on the narrow version; however, I want more miles on it. The thermal tights I was in and a couple sore spots is making a certain decision a little difficult. Hopefully an additional week on this loaner will help seal the deal on one or the other.

With our shopping and maintenance squared away we set off to escort Larry back to his place. He had originally planned on riding a century with Joy and I, but some family things cut that short. Joy and I rode with him to his place before continuing east to climb Horizon Ridge and venture out to Railroad Pass. I realized I was running short on water and fuel and figured a stop at Eldorado would be welcome, and it was.

The ride home from Railroad Pass was pretty standard, easy, and chill. The climb out along the frontage road was tough with the headwinds. Other than that I just towed Joy along as we just took a route that I typically use for my commutes home, especially once we reached Sandy Ridge.

New bike fund: $119.92 (+$0.68), €1.52, ₱10.00, ֏10.00, CA$0.01
1.28 new miles — From Wandrer
845 total shifts, 76 front, 769 rear. 75.1% of the ride in the big ring, 24.9% in the small ring. Most time spent in 52×21, 18.5% — by di2stats
131 vehicles @ 3.7 per mile, 1 per minute, Speeds: 36.1 mph (avg), 65.0 mph (max)‍ — by MyBikeTraffic
Give your activities the names they deserve. — by Bandok
Clear-Sunny, 33°F-54°F, Feels like 34°F-57°F, Humidity 54%-28%, Wind NW 3mph-NNE 5mph — by Klimat
— myWindsock Report —
Weather Impact™: 6%
Headwind: 55% @ 8.3 – 11.7 mph
Longest Headwind: 01h 9m 24s
Air Speed: 12.4 mph
Temp: 30.1-54.7°F
Precip: 0% @ 0 Inch/hr
— END —