Saving The Planet on a Sunny Sunday With Some Clothing Guidance For Your Superhero Outfit

Got 20 miles on the road this afternoon. Don and I went and tagged some locations in a GPS location-based game called INGRESS.

It's a massive multi-player online game. There is a science fiction back story that is played out at real physical locations all over the world. The science fiction part can only be seen via web-enabled devices such as smart phones and tablets. Playing consists of establishing "portals" at places of public art, landmarks, monuments, etc., and linking them to create virtual triangular fields over geographic areas. Players must be physically near objects on the map to interact with them. The mobile device represents the player as a small arrow in the center of a 40-meter circle which represents the perimeter within which direct interaction is possible.

The image shows a "portal" that Noah was recharging with higher power "resonators" so the Enlightenment team (green) could defend it more against the Resistance team (blue). It's an important portal to maintain because there are many links established between it and other portals.

Saving the human race was  a good excuse for us to ride up Route 31 to Hunterton and then climb up and down along the Sourland Mountain ridge before descending into Hopewell. We each wore fleece tights and a windbreaker with one or two layers underneath. One bottle of water apiece was plenty. It is so much easier and more joyful to motivate and push hard up a real hill than to deliver the same amount of effort in a gym or the basement! Great to breathe fresh air, see the world, and have pleasant company to share the time with!

Balaclavas are a good choice to keep your ears warm in cold weather. They're about $12 at Nashbar. 

I prefer heavier gloves so frosty fingers are not an issue at all. This pair from Gore is $50. Not cheap, but they have all the features I'd like. Individual finger dexterity, thick insulation, wind and water resistance, breathe-ability, long wrist, soft absorbent pad at the thumb.

Eastern Mountain Sports is having a "60% off Clearance" sale. They have great stuff. But I can't see anything I like on sale that would actually fit. Looks like mostly small or XXL. Some of the 50%-off deals look great though. This jersey looks warm and comfortable at $25. Just note that it's for runners and hikers so it doesn't have back pockets like cyclist-specific gear. This microfleece half-zip sweater might actually be a little too warm. But the related vest could be great. Either one is $25 or less.

Enjoy the ride!