Robert Herriman has posted the winter ride series for 2010/2011. Those events are now displayed on www.allyeargear.com in the left sidebar.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Robert takes attendance and awards points to each rider. The colder it is, the more points you get for that ride. Night rides get bonus points. You also get extra points if you’re on a singlespeed bicycle.

This points competition is a clever means to motivate cyclists to ride, especially in the worst of conditions (more points!).

All are welcomed, but be forewarned that the pace is generally brisk.

Photo by Robert Herriman

Tonight was ride #36 of Robert’s Winter Ride Challenge  Series.

I had to go.  Robert awards points based on temperatures.  The colder it is, the more points you get.    My points had me in 9th place and I couldn’t afford to miss out on these points and drop in the rankings.

The ride started rough.  I was late and a had a slow motion crash on my way to the ride.  I turned too tight on smooth, dry concrete and the studded front tire just slipped out.  No biggie.

Though I missed the pre-ride photograph, I did make the ride, biked 21 miles,  and got 120 points.

On this particular night, we’d started the ride by going past the local bank thermometer.  It read 8F.  Before we got near that same sign on the return, Alex Dolpp and I guessed at the new temperature.

He guessed 5F and I guessed 6F.

As we rode up to the sign, it flashed 6F and Alex gave his congratulations.  Within 50 feet of the sign, it changed to 5F, which was good for a laugh.

According to Robert, the lowest recorded wind chill during the ride was -5F.

There was Challenge in the Series tonight.