I won the race!

[ADKSUPr]

My husband challenged me to a race to the train bridge.  I had to do a lap around the island because he was taking it easy due to pulling a muscle last weekend paddling against a big headwind.  I had no chance......BUT, my husband got mesmorized by the reflection of the train bridge in the water and decided he wanted to get a pic of me with the bridge reflection.  So he waited by the shore for me to go by.  He totally forgot about the race.  I took advantage of the situation and paddled hard to the bridge and yelled 'I win' when I reached the bridge.  What a great paddle!

My friends think I'm nuts going out to paddle when it's 45 degrees outside.  I think they're nuts doing a 50 mile bike ride starting at 6am when it's 23 degrees out.  Who'se the nuttier one?

[Chilly]

Nice picture 

I agree, you're friends are nuts. 

[balance_fit]

I'll say the cyclists are nuttier. At such temps, at speed, biking is not for me....well, paddling in 45 deg seems ok, as long as the feet are dry and the body out of the water !

Nice pic by the train bridge, all still, but the paddler and the wake give a sensation of speeeeed.

[supthecreek]

They are!
Biking on frozen ground is a serious injury waiting to happen

And I am with your husband... something about mirror conditions that just have to be photographed.

You are both lucky to share the passion for paddling. Enjoy many winter paddles together

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

ADKSUPr, where was that picture taken?

Also, are you guys anywhere near the Albany region? I'll be there over the holiday.

[gorgebob]

While paddling at cold temps I have never hit an ice patch and slid under a on coming boat.  While biking I have never submerged into a pot hole. Your pick, it good to get out.

[covesurfer]

You are not nuts. Paddling in winter is good for the soul. Riding with the ice and windchill is OK but i think it's for people who dont paddle.

[ADKSUPr]

Ichabod - you can see Freeman's bridge in Schenectady in the background.  We'll be around this weekend and will probably be SUP'ing in the Mohawk River at least once.  PM me if you're interested in joining us.

I think mid 40's will be my limit since they removed the docks, so I have to get in the water in order to launch.  Maybe I'll try putting plastic bags over my dive booties to keep the water out of the booties when I launch next time.  They are 7mm, but my feet got a little cold.  My husband launches without getting in the water, but I'm much less willing to risk scarring my board than he is (he's currently got duct tape on the nose).

[Celeste]

blinding speed distorting reality, just look at the way the reflection dissolves in the wake.

I'll take a win anyway I can get it.

What a beautiful picture.   

I won't paddle alone when it is in the 40's and windy.  I cut yesterdays paddle short when I turned a corner and got blown backwards by the wind and pounded by the waves.  Just not fun.  I use to bike in the snow, but I will admit OCD likely had something to do with that.

[pdxmike]

That is a great photo.  Paddling in the cold and rain has its own rewards, as do other outdoor sports most people avoid in winter, even though people think you're crazy.  My daughter's cross-country team was out running in the rain last week when they got attacked by a squirrel.  I told her the squirrel probably thought they were nuts. 

[mrl]

Beautiful picture you might find a drysuit with attached booties will extend your season and be very welcome in the spring. The kokaolat paddleing suits is a great but pricey option also optionfor flare water you will not expend so much energy as bendbing the seven mil wet suit