Brrr

I've already been at minus 42 degrees (which happens to be true both in Celsius and Fahrenheit). Add the wind-chill factor, and it was actually minus 56 degrees Celsius.

But this time I did not get to be minus 42, only to minus 10. I am cycling on the bike at the start of my second trip to the United States in order to reach the other states I did not visit during my previous tour.

So why in the cold? I wanted another experience, something else I had not done so far. I have ridden in the heat and have ridden in the cold, but not this cold. I knew in advance that I was going to reach minus 10 degrees and indeed succeeded.

I was prepared in advance with appropriate clothing. We all know about layers. The base layer, or underwear, are made of Merino wool. The wool does not absorb one's sweat, on the one hand, and keeps the body warm on the other.

Over the base layer,  I have a long pair of trousers, a sweatshirt and a black windbreaker /  rain coat (which keeps most of the sun's rays and helps keep in the faint warmth of the sun). I have a pair of waterproof socks and a pair of thermal socks.

I added a ski mask.  75% of the body heat we lose, we lose through the head.

As I got out of the airport, where I unpacked the carton and put my bike and bags together, and started to cycle my toes indicated that it was not enough for them only with socks. "We need more"  they shouted in a chilling voice.

I have heard about toe-warmers. It's a flat bag that sticks to the inner part of the shoe. The product promises to last for six hours and produce 56 degrees of heat. Not really true, but they did warm my toes just enough for me to feel them. There are, in fact, three products: foot heaters, toe warmers and hand warmers. Hand warmers are the ones which actually work for the longest time (about three hours).

Riding in the cold is also enjoyable. Frozen streams and lakes, hot chocolate or hot soup (clam chowder) in frequent stops and the fun seeings the shocked gazes of both drivers and pedestrians alike. Here and there I do get a cheering call or the use of the car horn to cheer. Nice.

The body "probably" prefers to work on organ heating than to allow high speed cycling. I found myself struggling to ride faster than 15 kph (9mph). The oncoming  wind was chilling, and I had no power in my legs to pedal quickly.

I rode slowly, until last night, at a low pace but with a silly smile on my face. Yesterday it got warm. At first the temps crawled up to zero degrees Celsius (32f) and by noon it reached six degrees (43f) for a short time. I went back to 25-30 kph.

And today, there is heavy rain. Not worth riding, but this is the sign for the upcoming week. It will be between three and thirteen degrees (33 and 55). A real heatwave!