I remember this. Layers of wool on top. Wool knickers. Warm hat. Heavy gloves. Thick socks. Insulated vest.
None of it is enough to entirely ward off the chill of the first 5 miles. But the mid fall day is sunny. The trees release their autumn leaves, which whisper their secrets as we ride through.
We enter the serious climbing part of the ride, soon generating plenty of warmth. In fact, a bit too much!
Arriving back home, both sweating and chilled, we admit it. The sudden arrival of this cold weather tested our fortitude! By winters’ end a 45 degree day with a 37 degree will seem mild.