46 and falling fast

When we were in Japan for New Years 07-08, we felt the cold of the ocean on the coast and the chill of the frozen mountains in the central region. No matter where we traveled the winter crept into everything we did from walking the districts of Tokyo to witnessing the hushed dignity of Kyoto's temples. Not that it hampered our enjoyment and awe at the beauty which is Japan and her people.  In many ways it made it almost a necessity to focus on the moment and burn it into our psyche for all time, a chore at which we as a family we relished in the infinitum.
But here in Naples Florida where the night air never stays below 60 degrees for more that a day or two, out of respect for the tourists who come to worship the sun while their own homes lay in a frozen waste, we seem to be in the midst of a deep cold snap.  What does that mean anyway, a cold snap because if it's a snap then it would be over as soon as it started...I'm just sayin. Anyway as I and my niece left the parking garage for a ride last night it was 46 degrees ambient with the wind chill at about 38. That's mighty chilly for these thin skinned southerners.

With 3 layers of high tech cold killing layers we set off into the night with the 20 mph winds blowing on us to check or resolve. That was the coolest I've cycled in to date but we fared well in the gust off the Gulf and the chilling sweat was nullified by the wick gear thank you very much. But I had one constant vision in my head driving me on and that is the pictures and stories of the Paris-Roubaix.
I just haven't gotten to that inner fortitude,yet, to battle cold, wet, mud, other riders, fatigue and what ever else the elements can throw at you in this mind numbing queen of races just to finish let alone WIN! As the fans of this event which is the soul of this region gather, they are in all their winter clothes to battle the bitter cold. These folks in the picture.are mostly the local farmers and towns people and know how to protect themselves. Yet for cyclist they are on the edge of life itself gritting their teeth as if to say, I will conquer and nothing can stop me.
At least that's what I imagined as we went head-on into the cold at the beginning of our regular Tuesday evening ride. Upon our return from our 25 miles we felt drained from the cold not just the ride, a little windburned on our faces and deeply satisfied as if we too were part of the history of cyclist who conquered the elements from with-in and with out.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.