… I had the right gear (and bike) to cycle through the winter?

It was 32°F when I started my ride this morning. My toes (socks too thin) and thumbs were cold.

This is the crazy thought that entered my head just after mile 10 of this morning’s ride, which is when I always stop to hide a rock and fuel. At this point I’ve warmed up, I’ve lightened my load (today’s rock was HEAVY), I’ve got some sugar in my system, and I’ve just gone down a hill and turned on to a road in the full daylight and felt the sun warming me up.

Basically, no decisions should be made at that point.

But what if…