Still Cold

Yes, I live in Fairbanks. I should not be complaining about the temperatures lately, as I moved here knowing it has the largest temperature range of any city of size in the world, from -66 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, but this is ridiculous... the temperature at the Fairbanks airport has been above zero degrees Fahrenheit for a total of 33 hours since December 23rd. Now, we are to have yet another week of 20 & 40 below... not that it ever left. We set records in November for the numerous low temperatures and number of days in a row at them.

I really hate this cold.

I've learned this winter that I stop having fun at 20 or 25 below zero.
Any enjoyment at all seems to end at 25 or 30 below zero.

When I lived downstates, winter was my season. I actually hated summer. I almost always got out more in winter than the summer months. Now, the reverse is true, completely due to the extreme cold. I get out so little in the winter that I'm about ready to explode by the time summer rolls around, so then I'm really active. Three winters in a row, I haven't done a damn thing until at least mid-January, if not later. Last winter, I didn't even have 100 cumulative miles on my bike before doing the White Mountains 100 bike race. I went off-trail once, on snowshoes. This year has quite literally been too cold to do anything remote, out of town, away from the safety of a warm space.

But then again, it seems worse to sit inside and stop doing the things I love outdoors than to go out in 30 & 40+ below. Pick your poison.
I describe recreating in these temps as you can beat -20. You can stay warm. But you cannot beat -40. It will always win. You may never stop fighting it, though, because it could be the last time you're ever cold. That battle is neither fun nor enjoyable.

I'm ready for warmer temperatures... maybe permanently.

They say 'that which does not kill us makes us stronger.' But if it's not making me stronger, is it killing me?