Today I learned that riding in Colorado...

[karlfitt]

is not riding in Southern California.

I recently bought my first bike since moving here to Colorado. I owned one when I lived in So. Cal. but sold it before the move since I wanted a different bike anyway.

But never mind that, on with my story.

I just finished replacing all the coolant hoses, and the spark plugs. Decided it was time for a nice cruse.
I headed up 34 to Estes Park. I have made the ride a couple of times already, but yesterday with the clouds threatening, the temps really dropped as I rose in elevation.
Now in California I rode elevation changes there too. But somehow Palmdale up to Big Bear feels very different.
So anyway, I continue on Hwy 7 to Hwy 72 to Nederland. Man it is getting cold. I stopped to change to my cold weather gloves.
Down the hill in Boulder, ahhhhhhhh. That’s more like it. Kinda warm back down at a reasonable altitude.
Still on my merry way. I am heading to Conifer to hear a local band I like. Again, getting up the hill and temps are dropping. But I am about to stop, so no big deal. But that is on my mind as I eat dinner and listen. If I get chilled starting my ride home, I know I will be cold all the way home. So I bail after the first set trying to get out before it gets too cold.
Now I do have some wind break pants. I have owned them for about 25 years, and they fit about like you would expect 25 year old pants to fit. But they work and I keep from freezing my legs off on the way home.
Total mileage for the day, 275.
Lesson learned for the day, remember to bring layers with you when you ride in Colorado. It’s not the same as riding the heat of So. Cal.

[Clint]

Yeah, I faced that same problem last summer in Colorado. We'd get up over 9-10,000 feet and the rain clouds would greet us. We didn't get much rain, but it sure cooled the air down. I pulled over at one point, changed my jacket, put on my waterproof pants liner, and was sweating a half-hour later after we crested the pass. What can ya do?

[merlot]

Pretty typical weather for here. You don't even have to get much of an elevation change to really notice the difference in the temps. Like you said, you gotta dress in layers and keep sheding or put them back on.

[darkfire]

It's also true of the saying out here: "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes. It'll change."