CD's Saturday cycling tip: float away

There's a reason why every cycling-information source browbeats us about staying hydrated. If you don't you'll, at the very least, feel crappy on and off the bike. My own cautionary tale: I took the week off and rode the 2100 a grand total of once. I was out of town for a couple of days. Most of the rest of the time I just slept late, had a headache, read baseball blogs (here's a favorite) and lifted weights. I was eating the way I usually do — coffee and fruit for breakfast; peanut butter and fruit for lunch; nuts, dried fruit, cheese and crackers to snack on; and whatever was for dinner, typically with a beer or two. So what was missing? Water. Lots of water. I've always got a pint of water going at my desk at work but I've kept cycledork central unusually arid. Jacking up my fluid intake over the last 36 hours has done wonders for my headache and my mood. See you on the road.

Road toasty but seeking more sensation

The temperature won't make it over 35 today. But with bright sun and good layers I managed to break a sweat during a short ride. To keep the heat in on top I donned a Headsweats chili peppers skullcap under my helmet. For thoracic comfort I wore a Patagonia wicking t-shirt, Canari Paceline long-sleeve jersey and the Ibex pullover. The breeze cut right through but was only nippy for the first couple of miles. Below I had on old Canari shorts under Cannondale padless fleecy tights. The only surprise was the full-fingered Primalwear gloves. My hands were fine but my fingers, even fully covered, were mofo cold. And as useless as the Pearl Izumi covers are in the wet they did a good job of keeping the cold off my feet. Even though the cleats obviously aren't affected, wearing shoe covers, wet or dry, regardless of brand, is like having foot condoms on. Yeah, I can still pedal, but I wish I could feel more. But stay tuned. There is discussion here at cycledork central that a secret weapon, perhaps arriving at Christmas, could have my feet bareback again, so to speak.