Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club’s “Ahwafooty Route”, in the Ahwatukee Foothills.

I have a general rule that if the temperature is below 40 degs, I don’t bother to go riding. Since we have such nice “warm” temperatures most of the time here in Phoenix, there’s no reason to go riding when it’s cold out. I treat it as the universe’s way of saying it’s time to lay off the bike for a while.

But now and then I break my cold-weather rules.

Today was one such occasion. PMBC was doing one of my favorite routes today, their “Ahwafooty Route”, in the Ahwatukee foothills south of South Mountain. I like this ride, for it features a wide-open romp along Pecos Rd, (it used to be more wide-open, but it’s still pretty good, with only one stop light), plus a few hills to keep those climbing legs honest. Since I hadn’t done this route for what seemed like ages, I really wanted to go this morning, even if the temperature was a nice balmy 37 degs when I peeked at the thermometer early this morning.

On the drive down to Kiwanis park in Tempe, (where PMBC starts their Saturday rides), I watched the temperature display in my Jeep with a bit of trepidation. The temperature actually went up for a while, all the way to 41 degs as I cruised down the 51 Freeway. Okay then, maybe I wasn’t breaking any rules, after all.

But I knew that the temperature is often colder at Kiwanis park than most places in the valley, for whatever reason. And sure enough, it was 34 degrees when I pulled into the parking lot. It would settle down to 33 degrees. I would have turned around and just gone back home, but numerous friends had decided to come out and brave the weather too.

Because of said friends, it turned out to be a spirited post-holiday ride, with just enough miles and climbing to make for a decent workout.

But I did pay for breaking my rules about riding in the cold — I tweaked my back on the last steep climb of the day, up Frye Rd. The pain came out of nowhere. I wasn’t riding particularly hard or anything. I guess my lower back/glute muscles weren’t appreciative of the brisk morning air. And moving some heavy boxes while preparing the Jeep for the drive down this morning, had nothing to do with said sore back. Nothing at all!

Here’s hoping some yoga will get my back into shape.