Weather anomalies - all regions

[spazzdog]

OK, I know... this could go in the regional stuff, but I didn't want to "double" post. So I figured I'd stick it here, then folks from anywhere could discuss it in one place.

I'm not talking your basic normal regional weather here... for the opener:

What the heck is going on for you grrls in CA, AZ and NV? Flooding in Sedona! Flooding in LA! Avalanches in Reno!

Is everybody in the TE family in those areas OK?

[Irulan]

I"m a firm beleiver in global warming. I live in an area that is right on the snow line for lower elevations, and there has been a definite warming trend ( less snow in town) over the last 30 years.

This year it was unseasoanlly warm unitl about a week ago, great for riding but very strange. Cold snap coming in so it looks like winter is finally here.

Irulan

[SadieKate]

Yes, I agree with Irulan that global warming is happening. But this year, we are getting hammered. The last several years have been below normal rainfall and above normal temps. This year, it's the opposite but in spells. Fortunately, northern CA is not having the really big flood problems like southern CA. We so much need the rain but I am getting tired of non-stop precip. We squoze in a short road ride yesterday and woke up again to thick tule fog. More rain later today. We are just a muddy soppy mess right now. I'm getting SAD (as in the disorder not in the emotion). :(

[emily_in_nc]

We have been having very anomolous (is that a word?!) weather here in NC ever since around Dec. 31. Most days have been 65+ for highs, with one as high as 76. In JANUARY! Now, I know this is the south, but we normally do have winter, and at least some snow and ice. It's been very strange. Supposed to be in the 60s to around 70 for highs through this Thursday, then finally getting cold again just in time for the weekend. 40-44 for highs. Brrr....guess my outdoor riding is behind me for awhile (yes, I am a wimp!!) I'll be on the trainer this weekend.

Hope everyone is safe and sound in the crazy weather out there!

Emily

[Jennifer Gallow]

So much rain! I'm in So Cal ... the news said we have equaled normal ANNUAL rainfall totals in the past two weeks alone -- something along the lines of 15 inches, but don't quote me on that. Rain 10 ou of the last 14 days ... by last night I was stir crazy!!! I was pacing, the dog was insane with boredom and we both had so much pent-up energy we were driving the boyfriend to the brink. I went home and cleaned my bike. Again.

Now, I'm purely recreational. I don't race or compete ... I love to ride but I don't ride in the rain or if it's below the Cold Zone .... but CRIKEY I want to go outside! I'm trying to stay in shape for the Tour de Palm Springs this February, and some dry days sure would help!

I don't know how you rainy-climate folks do it ... I'm sure it's attitude and getting used to it, but jeepers I'm used to warm and dry!

Trying to stay positive ... it's a good opportunity for cross training!

J

[Shimpie]

It's sooooo wet outside! I admit I'm a wimp when it comes to rain and wet pavement simply scares me. The combination of early morning darkness, inattentive drivers, bad weather and cycling is just asking for it.

I'm a fair weather commuter, but if the rain and mileage on my car keeps up, I might need to find some fenders, maybe some gortex, and a whole lot more blinkies.

[Veronica]

Wet pavement isn't too bad. I just do everything a little bit slower and pay even more attention to the road. I did switch back to 27 mm tires though after our first rain. 23s seemed a liitle squirrely on the wet. Could just be the ones I had, but I have more confidence in the sticking power of my 27s.

V.

[Trek420]

yep, since I had to work I rode my bike to BART Saturday, it was raining, hardly at all on the way to, torrential on the return. Took it slower and missjudged what that would do to the time it takes and ^%$# missed the train that would get me to work on time.

Oh well, there goes the "perfect attendance lunch".

You know what, since I got to ride even just a little I didn't care. :p

[yellow]

Because my other loves all have to do with the snow, I can't complain when amounts are reported in numbers of feet. :D Of course, if the highways are closed for avalanche control, it makes transportation a little tough!

Living in the land of where-orographic-lifting-hits-hardest, we haven't had time to even squeeze in short rides. It's been nonstop, drizzly rain. It's reminding me of the years I lived in Portland, OR, when I used to watch it rain and rain and rain...

The trainer is getting more attention!

[JanT]

El Nino is keeping the desert green this winter. For me, it means more road rides and fewer mountain biking rides. This is the reason I bought the roadie bike in May, so I can satisfy my riding addiction and have fun even when the trails are trashed.

[spazzdog]

Ahh! Is this an El Nino year? That es-plains a lot Lucy!

[CorsairMac]

I saw the horrendous mudslide yesterday in Ventura Canyon (?). Did if effect any of my TE friends?
Signed:
Worried In New Mexico

[VickiK]

I don't know if this is an El Nino year. (edited from judging from later posts, my following opinion might be nutty) This is a totally unsubstantiated claim, but I think all this weird weather is tied to the earthquake/tsunami disaster. If the earth actually did shift on its axis, it would change the angle in relation to the moon, then tides, currents, wind patterns and consequently our weather would be affected. Someone said N. Europe was getting severe weather too.

Did anyone see "The Day After" last summer? Great movie for a hot day! ;)

I was at Mammoth for skiing last weekend and though the snow was really nice, the wind, snow, and visibility conditions were the toughest I've seen. They only had a few chairs running. I'm not just a fair-weather skier but to pay $63 to ride just a few bunny chairs the whole day is not worth it. Most of our group didn't ski. Then driving back home--rain all the way, flooding on the road--yuck. Otherwise I was safe, unlike the many who were affected.

[Shimpie]

Ahhh, California is much drier now. The river's are still running super high, though. I took a ride down the San Luis Rey river bike trail and was amazed to see how much water was headed to the ocean. Thanks to the Pineapple Express, SoCal has had up to 20 inches of rain in the past two weeks. More than Seattle or Portland!

Veronica, you're definitely right about wider tires having more gripping power. I've never had a problem riding on wet pavement with my mountain bike (it has city slicks). However, I doubt I'll be able to find 27's for my road bike. I'm really short, 5'1'' on a good day, so I ride 650's on my road bike. The widest tires I've seen for me are 23's.

-Shimpie

[VickiK]

Hi, do you mean you use 650B wheels on your road bike? I'm about a 1/2" taller, so I'm curious what your finding are. This question might be better suited for another thread, but what the heck.

[Shimpie]

Actually I use 650c tires. I ride a 47 cm Trek. I think Trek's road bikes sized below 50 cm only come with 650c tires. Do a search for 650c in the forum and you'll find a quite a few discussions on the topic. I only learned the difference a few months ago in a search for backup tires and tubes.

For more info, also check out. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/index.html

From my perspective, I can't compare 650c and 700 tires. I haven't had the chance to ride on anything other than 650c. I can say the tires and tubes are a bit harder to find. There's plenty online though.

-Shimpie