This weekend I was shopping around for Speedo’s at REI and spotted a sweet reflective Pearl Izumi bike jacket that was discounted from $120 to $56 (last one in my size!) so I went ahead and bought it, which made me happy, until I was leaving the store and it hit me – “will it ever get cold enough for me to wear this?”. I guess these sort of issues are what you’d call ‘California problems’. But on today’s workout I couldn’t help and think about how different things have become for me in just one year. Last year I moved indoors on the bike in November and stayed on the trainer until the weekend before my first race in May when it finally became reasonable to ride outside (over 50 degrees). Today I sweated hard as it neared 80 degrees climbing in the Santa Monica Mountains and descending down Mulholland Drive to finish up along the ocean for a near four hour ride, and it’s January 5th!!
Last year’s 6 month indoor setup
Today’s scenic climb
Amazing view from the top
I’m not writing this to brag and all the pictures and posts are not meant to make everyone hate me, it’s just that I’m what you call an transplant, not a born and raised local, and I’ve committed to never forgetting where I came from or how lucky I am to be where I am today.
David Welby 
Dave, the term your looking for is a transplant.
And we all hate you. Its cold as hell here on the east coast.
Anywhere else implant wouldn’t work, but in Southern California, especially by the beach I think it fits just fine 🙂 Don’t worry, winter’s almost over, you’d better be getting ready for your first half!!
I would say I’m jealous but living in South Texas, I know the feeling! 🙂
Look at a great cycling vest or jacket and want it… but then have to think – “how many days of out the year would I actually be able to wear this?” … maybe one? Looks gorgeous – enjoy your “winter riding”!