Moronacity Cycling Journal » Entries tagged with "Winter"
Predicting Weather, Predicting Workouts
I feel guilty when I entertain the idea of not skiing on my new ski track. Even though I have exercised hard for three days straight, including this morning’s snowshoe hike with my brother, I feel like I need to get out for at least a few laps on my short track. This is because snow in Lower Michigan is not usually deep enough for skate skiing, especially in the area where I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Creative Ski Waxing and Snail Skating
I made the commitment to get out and exercise five days per week. A few of you might be privy to the fact that there is snow in Houghton. In fact, there is lots of snow in Houghton. You might be surprised to find that we had enough base to skate ski after only three days of snow. It’s still snowing. I took the skis to Tech and waxed them in the chalet, yesterday. I ran out of Rex blue after dribbling it onto only one and half skis. For those of you who don’t wax your skis, Rex blue is the best wax for skiing in temperatures in the mid- to upper-teens. Well, having one half of a ski to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Dead Tired and in Pain
Michigan Tech Trails on December 5. With the threat of possible rocks and sticks on the trail, and no wax on my skis as well as no time to tend to them, I decided not to ski; but I couldn’t fully support that decision. I had been in Houghton for less that 20 hours and I needed to do that one thing that is simply Houghton: take the skate skis out for a little … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Completely Worth It
I returned to the UP on Saturday. I found myself missing my friends and lifestyle and wanted to return home for a little fun in the snow. Little did I know that my timing was perfect. Several of my Houghton friends had thought that I picked a bad day to drive, and they had good reason for it. In hindsight, I think I picked a great day. The trip started with a dry, fast start to the Miller Road Starbucks in Flint. I needed a big, tasty latte to begin my trip. My pumpkin bread, pumpkin spiced latte, and I journeyed northward on I-75 at a pretty darn good pace until about Indian River. This is when the trip got special. I slowed down quite a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Lifestyle
Blowing, blowing, blowing!
I’m a little in awe of the situation happening at my house, at the moment. Just last week, I was woken, every day, by the warm sunlight and the enticing, bright blue sky showing through my window. This week, I look out the window in disgust at the wet, heavy snow weighing down the branches on my trees. What is a girl cyclist to do? No, seriously. What should I do? Last week, I got three days of excellent road riding in. It was great! It was Heaven. It was every cyclist’s springtime dream. It was in the mid-60s. The skies were blue. The sun was warm. I even came home with a cyclist’s tan just in time to go out … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Time to Revise
Today marks the fifth day that I am sick. Yay. I haven’t had exercise for ten days, now. This is due in combination to preparing for the expo, traveling, and being sick. I have to do some necessary work: wood splitting and a twenty-minute snow blow, but that doesn’t really count. I’m a little upset about this lack of exercise for one huge reason: weight. Therefore, I am using today to not only catch up on my studies, writing, and housework, but to devise a plan (read: menu) to get me through these days of inactivity. Even if I feel well, tomorrow, I won’t be able to do anything because I have to be available for the hospital. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Weight Loss
Superior Splendor – A Photo Essay
Crusty snow alongside the frozen Copper Harbor. Snowshoe tracks on the east end of the harbor. Frozen Lake Superior ice chunks just outside of Copper Harbor. Smooth, blue ice where the land meets the lake. East Bluff beyond Copper Harbor. Looking across the harbor towards the town of Copper Harbor and Brockway Mountain. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Photo Essays
Tropical Weather Hits Houghton
Living in a cold, snowy place is kind of special. In the fall, 50 degrees (F) may feel a bit chilly. In the winter, 50 degrees is tropical. In fact, it is so warm, the idea of breaking out the electrolyte drink mix isn’t a second thought. Today started out with a big, fat zero degrees. To state the obvious, it was cold. I cleaned up and readied myself for my 1:00 class. I drove into town, parked in the commuter lot, bundled up, and headed to class. I left the building at 3:00 and found myself unzipping my coat. I had on a tank top underneath a sweatshirt with an unzipped coat. I really thought it felt warm. It must’ve … Read entire article »
Filed under: Lifestyle
A Trek Along the Cliffs
What: Snowshoe Adventure at the Cliffs When: This Sunday (Dec. 28th), 8:30am Where: Meet by Subway in Calumet. We’ll carpool up and drive to the north/east end of the Cliffs. Details: Bring your snowshoes, your dog (taller than the snow depth recommended), a snack/water and join your friends for a few hours of fun in the snow. Plan to be out for 3-5 hours or you can bail to get back … Read entire article »
Filed under: Snowshoeing
Reboot
December. The year has yet to end and the winter has barely started. Yes, I know many of us have had snow since mid-November, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are still in the early stages of winter. Why, then, am I not surprised to find people asking about 2009 race training on internet forums? Well, because it is time to start training. I took the time, last winter, to develop a broad training schedule for the year. I wasn’t aware that my laziness was causing me to follow this schedule. I just looked at the training program, today, but I am on track, nevertheless. Under November, it says, “No training. Just do what you want when you want.” Well, I did … Read entire article »
Filed under: Motivation
