By SHARON MONTAGUE

Salina Journal

Bruce Whitely, his face red, pulled off his cap and stuck his head in the office of New Community Christian Church, 530 E. Cloud.

"It wasn't that bad out there," he said.

Sure, Bruce.

So why, when you get near, does the air seem to turn just a little bit colder? And what about the Rudolph-like red nose? The way you're walking without bending your toes?

Since when is a temperature in the mid-20s "not bad" for riding a bicycle 10 to 20 miles?

Probably since about four years ago, when Bruce and his wife, Nancy Whitely, Salina, brought back the tradition of the Red Eye Bicycle Ride the afternoon of the first day of the year.

The first year, Nancy said, more than 20 bicyclists participated. Last year, there was a snowstorm on New Year's Eve, and only about half a dozen showed up. This year, with snow on the ground but streets clear, 15 participated.

"I'm kind of surprised, with as cold as it is," Nancy said, as she stirred soup in the church kitchen after the ride.

Nancy used to ride, until her knees gave out. She had knee replacement surgery but hasn't gotten back into bike riding. She drove the route in a car Tuesday, ready to pick people up if they had problems.

"No one would let me pick them up," she said.

The riders rode as far as they wished, with several turning around after about five miles, for a 10-mile ride, and others getting in a full 20 miles.

Ben Gurtler, a Kansas State University student from Marysville, said it was the coldest weather he'd ever ridden in. He met the Whitelys at Biking Across Kansas, which he's participated in for about 10 years, and they invited him for the Tuesday run.

The cold wasn't too bad, he said, except on his feet. He wore only one pair of socks.

"I should have worn an extra pair," he said, as he tried to warm his frozen feet in the church lobby.

His biking shoes have vents in the bottom, which is great for warm-weather biking. They weren't so great Tuesday.

Jan Ganzenmuller wore biking sandals, but she said she kept her feet from freezing by putting plastic bags between her layers of socks. She covered her body with two layers of Blackbottom cold-weather pants and shirts.

She participated in the ride two years ago, but not last year.

Judy Fowler, Wichita, who rode 17 miles in last year's ride, only made it about 10 on Tuesday.

"What a fun way to start the new year!" she said, as she warmed up in the church and waited for the rest of the group to return.

Bruce Whitely said Tuesday's was one of the coldest Red Eye rides so far. But the warmth of fellowship with friends after the ride more than made up for the outdoor temperature.

"It's just great to get together with friends, and challenge ourselves a little," he said, as he ladled soup into a bowl.

There were several soups to choose from -- spicy chili, potato with bacon, chicken, ham and beans -- along with trays of fruits and raw vegetables, plates of cookies, pies and chocolates.

"I ride so I can eat all of this," one woman said, laughing.

nReporter Sharon Montague can be reached at 822-1411 or by e-mail at smontague@salina.com.

Join the Discussion:

Salina.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here. Read our full online terms of service policy.

Post a comment
Your best chance of getting your comment posted:

• No profanity
• Be civil
• Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Comment:

Poster:

Enter text seen above:

Read our full use policy.