Old Time Minnesota Winter / Snow & Cold / -7 Degrees Tonight on the Pugsley Ride

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A Minnesota winter brunch. Wash it down with a Monster Zero and I'm ready to tackle the sub-zero temps comin' our way. The plan is a Pugsley MTB ride later today along the Minnesota River.

It sure is good having Sunday and Monday off all winter, I am making the most of the 2 days to have a couple adventures each week. In the month of January we have a backcountry snowshoe, snowboard trip into the mountains of Coloradohttp://www.huts.org/The_Huts/10th_mountain.html. The weekly snowboarding with Ski Patrol and a mountain bike ride day will enable me to be fit and ready for the trip.   

Starting out in the late afternoon daylight is nice to get into the ride. The temps are about 0 degrees when I leave the truck, I'm wondering if this is a good idea. It's cold.

I'm getting the clothing layers sorted out with the different temps. I need to be warm but not too warm, dry is good and I feel comfortable. The first 20 minutes are always tough on the fingers. My left hand was very cold, my pinky finger was numb, I started working it around in my glove and the feeling started coming back. When one leaves the warmth of the truck or house, your body has to adjust and get the circulation out to your extremities. It happens every time with extreme temperatures. Ya got to accept it, that's the way it is.    

 I've been wanting to practice my fire starting this winter and tonight was perfect for it. The temps are sub zero and I rode about 7 miles out to the middle of nowhere. took a couple breaks to adjust to the temps and adjust clothing. Plenty of dead wood along the river so I gathered a small amount and had at it. I had the fire going in just a few minutes. Hydrated up, had a protein bar and savored the solitude of the remote location along the river banks. Mission accomplished.

 Stopped on the narrow bridge and listened to the creek burbling below. The water is still running even at -7 degrees.

 This sign is at the top of a climb out of the river valley, took a short break, still 3 miles to the truck.

Stopped for one more break before the last 1.5 miles. My body has adjusted to the temps and I feel like I could ride all night. It's not a race, it's get back alive and feel the adventure...Ride On!!