How Was Your Commute Today? [Archive] - Page 2 - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

7rider

11-17-2009, 06:03 AM

I rode what is now becoming my once-a-week and only commute: 30 miles in to work. It was great except I ran over a squirrel on the bike path part. But when I looked back, he was scurrying away.

It was still really freaky - kuh-thungmpkah-thungmph. *shudder.*

Oh, yuck. Glad to hear he ran away - and that he didn't take YOU out in the process.
I always worry about squirrels on my ride in. They are so busy this time of year, they forget to think about what's going on around them (kind of like the deer).

Voodoo Sally

11-18-2009, 11:16 AM

Cold!

Icy spots for the first time. . . .

Crankin

11-18-2009, 01:52 PM

Indi, my DH ran over a squirrel several years ago and broke his fork! There were ah, squirrel guts and fur all over his bike. A good samaritan picked him up and took him back to work, as he was on a lunch time ride.
Voodoo Sally,where was the ice :eek:? I rode at around 1:30 and it was about 48 by then.

HillSlugger

11-18-2009, 03:57 PM

My goal for the year was 25 bike commutes and I finally got the 25th today (3 weeks later than last year). I'm basically OK with biking in traffic and I'm mostly OK with biking in the dark but I'm not really liking biking in rush hour traffic in the dark. This might be my last until late winter/early spring.

7rider

11-18-2009, 04:29 PM

Geonz

11-18-2009, 07:52 PM

Oh, yuck. Glad to hear he ran away - and that he didn't take YOU out in the process.
I always worry about squirrels on my ride in. They are so busy this time of year, they forget to think about what's going on around them (kind of like the deer).

I have learned to make a squirrelly sound with my tongue in my teeth. I kidja not, they tend to turn and sprint for the nearest tree. I revel in what's sort of almost power...

blackhillsbiker

11-18-2009, 08:32 PM

Good both ways today. I am still a little under the weather so I've been slower than usual, but I enjoyed my ride.

Deb

mizzbananie

11-18-2009, 09:29 PM

As i was riding to work this morning (it was 49 degrees) I was thinking about why riding is more fun than driving.
I can smell all kinds of smells - lawns, flowers, someone's bacon cooking, the sea (when the wind blows from the west), the occasional dead animal, the smell of spring, the smell of autumn; the pleasures of riding behind a garbage truck, and the sounds; dogs barking in the distance, various birds, the sound of someone's car idling in a driveway, the sounds of running over leaves, and ick, glass... in a car, you don't smell anything except yourself and your car, you don't hear anything except the loudest of noises.
i can see people's cats watching me from their front stoops, I can count eagles and crows (and can follow them from their sounds).

your post summarizes exactly why i love commuting so much.. i feel like all the car people are missing out on so many special things.

lph

11-18-2009, 09:31 PM

I have learned to make a squirrelly sound with my tongue in my teeth. I kidja not, they tend to turn and sprint for the nearest tree. I revel in what's sort of almost power...

:D :D

Isn't it funny how we tend to try to talk to animals with sounds like they make themselves. A cat's "mrrr?" is the only one I have a decent chance of simulating well.

I used to have to ride through huge flocks of Canadian geese, and I'd invariably end up shooing them by yelling "honk! honk!" :D

7rider

11-19-2009, 08:35 AM

:D :D
Isn't it funny how we tend to try to talk to animals with sounds like they make themselves. A cat's "mrrr?" is the only one I have a decent chance of simulating well.

I used to have to ride through huge flocks of Canadian geese, and I'd invariably end up shooing them by yelling "honk! honk!" :D

I don't know what sound a squirrel makes, but I usually hollar out "Chah....chah.." when I see them. No idea what it means. It's just my pre-coffee gibberish that is appears to mean "Hey, dumb squirrel...don't run in front of me....or that car!"

ginny

11-19-2009, 10:39 AM

one of my friends got caught gobbleing to geese on her morning commute last year... she thought she was alone on the road, but there was a pedestrian. Tee hee :p

7rider

11-19-2009, 03:17 PM

Talk to the animals!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_aGoFqU5fQ)

cylegoddess

11-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Getting really hot here.
Woke up, too hot with terrible nerve pain in my shoulder( bad futon!!)
Knew ride would fix me up, so got dressed.
Riding couldnt get into it, felt somewhat tired.But nice to smell fresh dried fields and the comforting smell of clean cows, drifting off the pastures. No cyclists in sight, Odd but terribly hot even for 630 am.
It went well, no flats( like day before!). Arrived in time to buy fresh veggies for lunch.
Worked.Then rode on air con bus for part of the way.( MMMM). Then got off , aggghh!! 39 degrees and sooo hot my contacts kept drying out as I rode so I lost vision now and then. :eek:
Wow, my bum hurts and my legs. :(But I rode to work TWO days this week ( 15 km each way) and Im proud. Maybe three next week. Im hoping but with strength training, on my feet all day and bits of chronic fatigue lingering, its a bit iffy!

HillSlugger

11-20-2009, 02:27 AM

Talk to the animals!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_aGoFqU5fQ)

I loved that video! (Roger Moore really can't sing, can he?)

HillSlugger

11-20-2009, 02:28 AM

hoffsquared

11-20-2009, 04:32 AM

Very nice ride in this morning. Nice and cool. Just cool enough to try one of my thrift shop merino wool sweaters. Felt lovely.

Only drawback to this morning's ride was finding that my pair of 'matched' socks for work are really one navy blue and one black.

ginny

11-20-2009, 07:00 AM

I tried out merino wool too today... I should have washed it first... a little scratchy - or maybe jsut a little stiff. Good commute though. It has be seriously cold but just beautiful! I can handle cold as long as the wind doesn't show up :o

lph

11-20-2009, 07:16 AM

Warm! It's 8-10 deg. C here (but still damp and black) and I didn't what to do with myself in my winter gear :p

-signed, soggy in Oslo

Maxxxie

11-20-2009, 10:20 PM

I attended a training course in town all this week, so I rode in, a 32.9Km round trip. Overall, I really enjoyed it. Brisbane has a nice end-of-trip facility (http://www.cycle2city.com.au), so I got a 5-day membership for $30. I got to start every day with a nice bike ride.. what could be better!

Only problem was the return trip. At that time of day (4PM), it's quite hot (35+ degrees C) and I found myself struggling. On a couple of the rides, I ended up having to pull over and pour water over my head to forcibly cool down.

That said, I made a point of taking it easy on the return trips. Well, as easy as I can take.. the moment someone passes me, it's on for young and old, and I must catch them, pass them, and put enough distance between us that they can't catch me again. I'm far too competitive for my own good.. as evidenced by the fact that I had to pull over to cool down :o

Anyway.. long story short - I had a great week of commuting. :D

Max

Tri Girl

11-21-2009, 05:28 AM

No, Roger Moore can't really sing. :p I still loved that- I had forgotten all about it!

No commuting for me this week.
It was a terrible, horrible week. :(:mad::(
Monday I always drive (to take clothes to work, etc). When I got to work I found out one of our 3rd graders was murdered by his father. Every day this week was really emotionally draining, and I didn't have the energy/motivation/desire/care to ride my bike. :(

Next week I'm off all week for Thanksgiving break, but hopefully I'll jump back on my bike and ride. I'll try to ride every day in December. Dedicate the rides to our lost little one who loved to play and be outside.

lph

11-21-2009, 10:44 AM

It was a terrible, horrible week. :(:mad::(
Monday I always drive (to take clothes to work, etc). When I got to work I found out one of our 3rd graders was murdered by his father. Every day this week was really emotionally draining, and I didn't have the energy/motivation/desire/care to ride my bike. :(

Oh no, Tri Girl, that's awful! :( :eek: :(

How terrible for everyone, and what a burden to take home with you from work.

shootingstar

11-21-2009, 11:21 AM

That is horrific, Tri Girl. No wonder your energy is not quite there.

twin

11-21-2009, 11:44 AM

I heard about the little boy on the news and it is hard to think a family member could be so cruel. I can understand why you don't want to ride. After my sisters nephew was killed in Iraq, we were all very close I did not ride hor a several weeks it just seemed pointless. Have a nice break and enjoy your Thanksgiving.

Voodoo Sally

11-23-2009, 01:06 PM

This is me this morning, leaving home on my daily commute.

twin

11-23-2009, 03:42 PM

Picture and looks like a pretty area. I like your bag.

HillSlugger

11-23-2009, 04:37 PM

This is me this morning, leaving home on my daily commute.

You're one of those tough SS gals! :cool:

cylegoddess

11-24-2009, 12:08 AM

I feel better about my big pack, seeing yours mine looks minuscule!

I rode to work in a cold snap( from 38 to 16 - which is like 100 to about 60, so so?). Nice and cool. Drizzling too.
Funny, all the cyclists who ride when its sunny( and risk melanoma in more ways than one) were missing, and it wasn't even very cold. :confused:
I loved it. No flats.
I got there early so went to my gym, and had a leisurely breakfast of juice, apples, cheese and tea.

Im going on friday! I rode 100 km last week( and all I had ever done was about 25 or 45), so this week trying to keep it up.

Im really sore though. What with weight lifting, Im looking 20 and feeling 65!( Im 41).:(

hoffsquared

11-24-2009, 04:40 AM

Yesterday afternoon commute = soaking wet by time I got home. My old Goretex pants aren't quite totally waterproof anymore.

This morning's ride was pretty wet too. It was doing a bit more that "drizzling" by the time I got into work.

I have to get some big ziplocs to keep my clothes dry in my non-waterproof panniers. I did put them in some cheap trash bags for these two rides.

Tri Girl

11-24-2009, 06:27 AM

Voodoo Sally- you look so great heading off to work. I, too, love your pack.

Hoffsquared- I wonder if anything is *really* waterproof when it downpours. :rolleyes: Probably, but it's probably more than I'm willing to pay. Good idea about the ziplocs. I have two plastic grocery sacks in my pannier in case it rains, but I always take my camera (it's velcroed to my stem) and if it rains- a plastic bag won't keep it dry.

hoffsquared

11-24-2009, 07:43 AM

Hoffsquared- I wonder if anything is *really* waterproof when it downpours. :rolleyes: Probably, but it's probably more than I'm willing to pay. Good idea about the ziplocs. I have two plastic grocery sacks in my pannier in case it rains, but I always take my camera (it's velcroed to my stem) and if it rains- a plastic bag won't keep it dry.

At least my upper half stayed dry. I was really thankful my jacket hood fits nicely under my helmet!

Voodoo Sally

11-24-2009, 01:27 PM

Thanks for the compliments about my pack and stuff. It holds it all.

redrhodie

11-24-2009, 03:07 PM

It holds it all.

I bet you're not lying! Looks like you got the kitchen sink in there! :D

You shame me. I must admit, if I had to lug that, I'd probably drive. :o

Crankin

11-24-2009, 03:47 PM

Voodoo Sally, I recognized where you live...
Funny, as I was driving back from Lowell to Cambridge, I cut through Concord Center at around 2:45 PM, I saw a commuter that I thought might be you. Obviously, it wasn't, since this person was heading toward the center on Walden St., near the police station. But, she was dressed like you in the picture. Weird that I was thinking of you and then you posted the picture.

7rider

11-24-2009, 03:49 PM

You're one of those tough SS gals! :cool:

Yes. But I want to know....are you running a single speed, or are you fixed?

pfunk12

11-24-2009, 05:23 PM

I thought today was going to be my only chance to commute to work since I'm supposed to be off tomorrow and Friday. I knew I was taking a chance with the rainy forecast but I'm glad I did it. When I left early this morning, it was sprinkling but halfway to work, the rain was coming down harder. But I was enjoying it. I rode slowly and was very careful. There weren't many cyclists out but there were a lot of runners. It was a very stressful day at work so I was glad I was on the bike so I could de-stress. I was supposed to pick up my passport today for my travel to Mali on Friday :D but the passport was still at the embassy :mad: So I have to go into work tomorrow to pick it up. Oh...and another thing - I forgot my pin number on my ATM card (I use it more as a credit card) so I couldn't get money out of the machine at work. I looked like a bozo standing in front of the ATM - putting in every 4 digits possible - or standing there and doing absolutely nothing and looking like a fool :p I need money to travel! Unfortunately, I didn't leave work until 4:50 p.m. and it was drizzling and dark. But I ran into my morning commuting buddy, Chip, and we rode together for several miles. It was nice having the extra headlight on the trail. I just re-read this post and I am venting :o Sorry...it was one of those days. Time to sip my glass of red wine :D

shootingstar

11-24-2009, 09:32 PM

Instead of going to a meeting and worrying about what I looked like plus changing into dressier clothing for only 1.5 hrs., I did my fitness ride (14 kms.) to home again. Changed then took public transit. Cool, but mild after a few windy days.

I still am not used to living in Vancouver and contrasting outdoor sport opportunities on the same day. After my bike ride, on my way to meeting on a commuter ferry across a tiny strait (only a 10 min. ride), there were snowboarders on the ferry in full gear, hauling their snowboards to head up to local mountains on a normal work day. Wonder if they got enough snow up there. Could see the snow glinting abit.

lph

11-24-2009, 10:08 PM

The past few commutes have been interesting. (As in mildly interesting, in a season where commuting is otherwise pretty sucky.) Monday evening was my big car-accident-and-licence-plate-encounter. I'm still waiting for the police to call and ask for more details. I mean, here they have this star witness and don't how to use it?? :p

Yesterday's ride to work I see flashing lights plus a cyclist a couple of hundred metres ahead and my heart sinks. Turns out it's just a cop on a motorbike directing traffic manually, and a cyclist stopped to chat with him. Some kind of police exercise because Obama's coming to town soon. So I stood there and chatted to the cyclist, laughing about how we were really helping out with the visibility with all our blinky lights flashing, until the mock presidential entourage had rolled by and we were free to go.

Next I get a fright in that one scary roundabout. Large trucks often come down off the highway on my right quite fast, and they seem to have trouble noticing cyclists, seems like they look right over our heads for bigger things. So I'm always careful there, but today I honestly was in the roundabout well ahead of the truck. He didn't brake at all though, as if I wasn't there, and I ended up having to "scoot" in front of him. I wasn't really dangerously close, but I don't do that scooting thing. You fall, you die...

(Non-commuting - but lunchtime was spent out on a kayak in the sun :D)

And on my way home I run into a colleague who left early to go to the dentist, also on his way home. He's bonked and is about to fall off his bike, so I drag him to the nearest gas station and fill him up with banana, pastry and coffee. In the meantime the temperature drops, I'm getting cold 'cause I was sweaty, and the road starts getting icy. So we carefully pick our way home on slick roads. brr.

And today it's raining. Again.

Tri Girl

11-25-2009, 03:14 AM

lph- I get so cold just reading your commute reports. Makes me feel like a major wimp when I don't ride because it's in the 20's (that would be -3 C). People who live in cold climates are just so much tougher and hardier than I am. I tip my hat to you! :D

Then again, cold climates in winter mean cooler in summer and it almost always means beautiful scenery. I suppose there are trade-offs. :)

lph

11-25-2009, 04:45 AM

People who live in cold climates are just so much tougher and hardier than I am.

No-no. We just spend exorbitant amounts of money buying excellent bike clothes :D At least some of us do.

Cold really isn't hard to "dress out", not before you get down to temps where your bike starts complaining. Rain is the worst! Cold rain just above freezing is the hardest weather to dress for. By comparison there's not much you can do about heat... I just wilt when it gets hot.

redrhodie

11-25-2009, 01:20 PM

Boy, lph, that sounds like enough drama for one week!

I had a wet commute today. It was just misty this morning, so I rode my white bike, but it was drizzling tonight. My poor baby (bike) got all gross. So much effort to keep her clean and free of rust. At least it was warm.

Actually, today was the first commute in a while that I had no drama. I was ready for it, with the holiday tomorrow. Seemed like everyone was heading to the liquor stores (I pass 4 on my commute), but no one cut me off or threw anything at me. All good! :)

Have a great trip. pfunk! Hope you got all the kinks worked out!

pfunk12

11-25-2009, 03:21 PM

Thanks so much, redrhodie! I went to work for a few hours today to finish some last minute tasks. Picked up my passport with visa :) and remembered my ATM pin number on the first try this morning. I have no idea what was going on yesterday. I think I was too stressed and my brain was working overtime and I just couldn't remember those darn numbers. Now I just have to pack and I'll be good to go. I'm excited :D!

Have a great trip. pfunk! Hope you got all the kinks worked out!

blackhillsbiker

11-25-2009, 07:33 PM

Really cold this morning. And my chain slipped off in front. Sigh. Still, it went back on after a few minutes (probably would have helped if I took the claw mittens off but my hands were freezing). Got to work and my boss was standing at my desk waiting for a file. Never a good sign. Tonight was late. We had the community Thanksgiving service with a music practice at 6, so I didn't go home first. I left my bike in DH's office at the church. Rode home about 8:30. Cold, but uneventful and very beautiful ride tonight. I'm glad this work week is over! There is a glass of wine in the kitchen with my name on it. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

Deb

7rider

12-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Very nice moonrise tonight. High, thin clouds of an incoming front made for some pretty cool sights.

Melalvai

12-02-2009, 04:50 AM

I was passed by a JOGGER!!
When I realized I'd just been passed by a jogger, I stepped it up a little, pulled up alongside him, and said "Are you trying to shame me??"

He looked a little scared, and apologetically said "I'm just trying to get my run in" (it was nice still yesterday afternoon, it's turning cold right now). Poor guy.

It was up a steep hill, and I take the hills easy. I have an extra small granny gear that lets me get up any hill. It might take a year of Sundays to do it, but I'll get there without having to get off and walk, or even break a sweat.

Still, that is the first time I've been passed by a jogger!

Crankin

12-02-2009, 06:00 AM

Hey, both DH and I were passed by a rollerblader going up Oak Hill (4 miles) in Harvard, MA. This is a well known training hill for cyclists and I heard the guy coming and thought he was another rider, since he had a helmet on. He wasn't a young guy, either. I thought OK, I'm just a slow old lady (I was going maybe 8-9 mph), but when DH told me the guy had passed him, too ( a pretty strong rider), I thought, hmm, there must be something wrong with us!
I'm like you, I will get up just about anything, but slowly. Your story made me laugh.

blackhillsbiker

12-02-2009, 06:58 AM

Cold. Very cold. 20°F
:D
Deb

Biciclista

12-02-2009, 07:03 AM

i rode on monday but i'm not certain i will ride again this week as it has gotten very cold here (30's, with frost on bridges and car windows)
Monday there was a light cold misty rain going to and from work. brrr.

keep riding ladies!

lph

12-02-2009, 08:07 AM

Cold here too! -9 deg C going in, about -7 C going home. Beautiful clear sky, huge white moon, thin streaky clouds. Left work early to bike a detour home with a friend, stopped to feed some cheeky ducks and aloof swans, and chat with the local lonely lady who could tell us all about the swans' family life.

Not my best day at work, but sweet nonetheless :)

shootingstar

12-02-2009, 10:56 AM

Cycle to a presentation, then fitness ride- 18 kms. Today frost on ground in some areas but sun is shining brightly.

Jenerator

12-02-2009, 05:27 PM

Finally a day when the temp going in was close to the one coming home ... 15F. Cold fingers, but great ride home under the nearly full moon.

blackhillsbiker

12-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Only a half commute today. My bike is spending the night in DH's office.:( We had snow, ice and wind this evening, also an Advent service to go to. I decided not to risk falling on the ice at 8:30 this evening. I hope I can ride her home tomorrow after work.

Deb

ginny

12-03-2009, 06:32 AM

Tri Girl

12-03-2009, 01:52 PM

HOLY MOLY Ginny!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:
And I was proud because I rode in 25F weather today (wind chill in the teens)- and I was freezing. I can't imagine how cold you must have been. You are a tough cookie. :)

blackhillsbiker

12-03-2009, 04:03 PM

+16°F on the way home tonight. I'm re-thinking my gear. The wind shell was a bit of overkill since it doesn't breathe too well. I need warmer gloves and should have had on wool tights and warmer socks. I saw one other cyclist. No skateboarders (ninja or otherwise), joggers or walkers.

Deb

HillSlugger

12-03-2009, 04:56 PM

it was -16F out this morning, and I did it! I wore a balaclava, windproof hat, helmet, goggles (these were key) down coat, wind proof gloves, overmitts, and shearling boots. It was COLD - you know, freeze your nose hairs cold, but beautiful and a good way to start the day :D

Wow and awesome! :eek: I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

7rider

12-04-2009, 03:35 AM

Wow and awesome! :eek: I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

Minus 16 is definitely amazing. I think the coldest I've commuted in was 18 or so. I've got 1 good hill about a mile into the ride, and that's where I really warm up (but the ride leading up to it is all downhill!). My problem is when I do stop at a light, and my glasses fog up! It really depends on the glasses, and fortunately, my clear-lensed winter glasses are far enough away from my eyes where that's not a problem, but my new Oakley's fog horribly on cold morning rides when I stop.

blackhillsbiker

12-04-2009, 05:27 PM

3° this moring. I wasn't sure if I would go through with it, but I'm glad I did. I wore merino wool tights under my jeans, and my down jacket over a really warm wool sweater. Wool socks and hiking boots, and a wool hat under my helmet. I just need to find warmer gloves, and I ordered goggles from 6pm.com tonight :) I'm tired of my eyes watering.

Deb

newfsmith

12-05-2009, 05:40 PM

We have continued to have crazy weather. Thursday morning it was raining &blowing a steady 35 with gusts over 50, then in the afternoon it was clear and 65F. This morning it was nice, mid-forties riding in. Inventory day at work meant we counted every single pill, q-tip, microscope slide and suture in the practice. Definately one of those days you look forward to the ride home, even if it is pouring rain. At least I got home before it changed to snow.

skhill

12-06-2009, 10:57 AM

I rode to church this morning, and the looks I got, walking in the door! Got there at 7:15 am for choir practice, and at that hour it was still dark and 18 degrees.... I've become known as the crazy bike lady at church (but what would be really crazy is driving there, it's only 1.25 miles from my house).

If only my fingers hadn't been going numb, it would have been a beautiful (early) morning for a ride...

Tri Girl

12-06-2009, 12:08 PM

I just bought some cycling goggles online today. I find that the cold air really hurts my eyes (not to mention the watering) and that even the largest of my cycling glasses frames don't keep out the cold/wind all the way. If they work- I'll let you all know.

http://www.kroopsgoggles.com/bicycling/goggles

surgtech1956

12-06-2009, 12:41 PM

Dang, I am impressed. I have one questions, how long is your commutes? Those are some low temps to ride very far in, IMO.

Melalvai

12-06-2009, 04:43 PM

I'll be interested to know what you think. I use $2 safety goggles from Walmart. They sure fog up, even with all the tricks like dishwasher soap, but until I hear of something that actually works I'm not going to pay for something else.

I am not ashamed that I called for a ride tonight. It wasn't horribly cold, but it was colder than it has gotten yet this winter. I bundled up and went to the fabric store to find some yarn so I can repair the holes in my wool undershirt (I found links to instructions on how to do it on Team Estrogen!). 5 miles later, I was at the store looking for yarn. I suddenly realized that my feet HURT! They were thawing out and it was agonizing. I hadn't even realized they were cold, until I was in the store.

So I called for a ride, and tomorrow I'll put on the overshoes in addition to the wool socks.

blackhillsbiker

12-06-2009, 08:03 PM

Not sure what I'll do this week. It's cold, icy and snowy. I don't have the studded tires on my commuter yet. I'm beginning to think I might be more comfortable commuting on the MTB when the weather is bad. The high this week is supposed to be 12°F with windchills to -18°F. The goggles haven't arrived yet.

Already missing my commute:(
Deb

ginny

12-07-2009, 07:14 AM

I only ride about 2 miles (each direction) in that cold. Currently, though, I ride all over town a number of times a day (on campus for research and off for my real job), and it's tough to do it in this ridiculous cold. My ski goggles don't fog up and between that and the balaclava, really no part of my face is exposed. Having a warm air mass around my eyes makes a huge difference. The overmitts I use are OR (outdoor research) for mountaineering. They are gore tex mittins with the index finger separate from the others. That makes braking easier. That keeps the wind of my paws and the overmitts are long with velcro at the top of the mit and at the wrist, so it keeps any wind from entering my sleeves. They also make a big difference. I have not added the gore tex pants yet this season.

I rode in today in -1F and blowing snow. It was fine. Last night, I was out at the barn with my equine critters and it was 2F, and I was FREEZING! Why can I ride my bike in these frigid temps, but not do anything else? I skied yesterday too and I think I got chilled to the bone. I will say this: we are re-doing our bathrooms soon, and I hear a steam shower makes all the difference in really warming you up. We have one in mind for the downstairs bath. I don't think I have been properly warm since around August :rolleyes:

I leave for Hawaii in a few days, and I'm looking forward to wearing shorts and running outside. Alas, not bringing any bikes :o

lph

12-07-2009, 07:38 AM

ginny, you ROCK :D

Melalvai

12-07-2009, 10:23 AM

My ski goggles don't fog up and between that and the balaclava, really no part of my face is exposed.
What ski goggles do you use? Do you treat them with anything so they don't fog up?

hoffsquared

12-07-2009, 10:58 AM

A bit chilly coming in this morning. Then was reminded I had to be somewhere else.

Boss: "So are you going out there this morning?"
Me: "Where?"
Boss: "The big meeting out in Chantilly today."
Me: "Oh...right"

Luckily he hadn't left and was able to give me a ride.

ginny

12-07-2009, 11:34 AM

Mel,

I have Smith goggles - not the ridiculously priced ones... and they have a classic snow lens in them - which is usually yellow for really white out conditions, but this is a yellow/orange. They are 'antifog', but I also have an antifog cloth (it is usually sold near the ski goggles in outdoor stores or on line or whatever), and that takes care of those really bad fog causing conditions - heavy exertion in really cold weather. Ski goggles have air vents around the lens, and since skiing is a heavy fog kind of sport, they are really good with the whole anti fog thing.

Good luck! I must warn you that I look like a complete dork when I commute when it's this cold out... all my clothes really make me look like nanook of the north :D

Hey, LPH, I really DON'T rock when compared with someone from ... say... Norway! *grin* Do you think they would let me live there?

hoffsquared

12-07-2009, 11:45 AM

Mel,

I have Smith goggles - not the ridiculously priced ones... and they have a classic snow lens in them - which is usually yellow for really white out conditions, but this is a yellow/orange. They are 'antifog', but I also have an antifog cloth (it is usually sold near the ski goggles in outdoor stores or on line or whatever), and that takes care of those really bad fog causing conditions - heavy exertion in really cold weather. Ski goggles have air vents around the lens, and since skiing is a heavy fog kind of sport, they are really good with the whole anti fog thing.

Do they fit around glasses? Just curious. I had one pair freeze & crack at the frame after being outside w/ them for a long while. Goggles would make sure they don't get too cold.

ginny

12-07-2009, 11:53 AM

um... mine do not - but they do make ski goggles that do work with glasses. They have little breaks in them for the arms of the glasses to go through. I can't tell you much more though. Good luck.

blackhillsbiker

12-07-2009, 04:22 PM

Time to break down and put snow tires on the Kona. I miss my commute. Work is so stressful lately, the commute keeps me sane (relatively speaking). I hated not having my ride to look forward to today.

Deb

Grog

12-07-2009, 08:21 PM

Wow, ginny, cool!

This morning I was just about to take the bus (or the car :eek: ) : it was -5 Celcius, but very dry, and then I thought: "Will Susan take her bike?" Susan is a really nice woman at work who cycles about the same distance as me, but on a big cruiser bike that must weight 45 lbs. I imagined myself walking into the front door at work and seeing her green cruiser there, and that was too much for me. So I piled on the layers and took the road. It was great! Don't need the ski goggles yet.

Now, tomorrow there will no hot water at work. The building's heating system - that also heats the hot water - is at half capacity and hot showers are not the priority. (The building can just barely be worked in right now.) I could make-do with a facecloth but I have a few meetings, so I really don't know what I'll do. I'll let tomorrow morning's weather decide I think.

Melalvai

12-08-2009, 04:52 AM

I imagined myself walking into the front door at work and seeing her green cruiser there, and that was too much for me.
And was it? Or did you get to lord it over her because she didn't bike?

Melalvai

12-08-2009, 05:00 AM

I have Smith goggles - not the ridiculously priced ones... I must warn you that I look like a complete dork when I commute when it's this cold out... all my clothes really make me look like nanook of the north
My brother informed me years ago that the bicycle helmet + reflective orange road vest + safety goggles was extremely NOT stylish, so I'm not worried. We make our own fashions.
After Christmas I'll order a pair and try them out. Thanks!

ginny

12-08-2009, 07:03 AM

Yeah, Grog? Cruiser or no? I have a colleague (who I do not like much) who bikes most days, and when I bike and he doesn't, he likes to make it a bit of an insult to me... "well, it just wasn't safe enough to bike" or "you're just too tough" (he's a jerk), but we all know that he does it because he cringes just a little when my single speed is resting in the hall and his big old studded tire bike is at home :D (I too can be petty).

Alas, no ride in for me today - too much snow. You can be sure, though, that if I do see someone who rode in today, I will tell them how awesome they are instead of telling them "it's just too dangerous to ride when it's like this" - why do people do that? To each his/her own... :rolleyes:

Biciclista

12-08-2009, 10:43 AM

no commuting this week for me no temps above freezing. :(

Jenerator

12-08-2009, 08:57 PM

Another awesome powder day here. 4F when I left the house. Broke down and wore goggles and the heavy gloves.

ginny

12-09-2009, 06:36 AM

Yea Jen! Joining the throngs of supremely uncool commuters (goggles). I rode in today - it was slippery and -10, but SO much more fun than driving a car in this crap!

Biciclista

12-09-2009, 08:26 AM

both of our cars are in the shop! i have to ride my bike !! only had to ride 1000 feet this morning at 17 deg but this afternoon i have to ride to the shop to pick the hopefully repaired motor vehicle .

twin

12-09-2009, 02:45 PM

Today it was a chilly zero wind chill. I rode to school and PT fun in the sun!!!

Melalvai

12-09-2009, 02:53 PM

I debated going to a seminar on campus but in the end decided I'd like the excuse to get out of the house. My front brake lever froze. I didn't trust the rear brake alone. My U-lock also froze so I brought the bike inside with me. The brake thawed during the seminar.

When I got home I called the bike shop. He said they had several frozen bikes in there. It rained yesterday, so the bike was wet and didn't dry completely overnight. The brake lever wasn't frozen in the garage but it froze pretty quick once I got out in the wind.

I'm supposed to bring my bike inside, and once she is warm and dry, lube the cables. I asked should I treat her to dinner & a movie first? hur hur hur

Anyway she's next to the christmas tree right now, and tomorrow I'll lube the cables before I go anywhere.

Biciclista

12-09-2009, 02:59 PM

I rode 2 miles today in sub freezing weather. what a hassle. too hot inside, extremities cold. I am looking forward to our normal Seattle weather and must say i am extremely impressed with those of you who are still riding in this stuff like it's normal and easy.. (like my husband)

Ambikes

12-09-2009, 03:29 PM

It was -23C (-9F) for my commute today. At least there wasn't much wind.

This is my first winter since living in Saskatoon that I've tried to commute through the winter. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but my bike REALLY doesn't like to roll when it's below -20C. The moving parts get very unhappy! I don't think I could do it if I lived more than my current 2k from the university.

Tri Girl

12-09-2009, 03:55 PM

twin- you are a brave, brave woman! :) Good for you for braving the weather out there!! :)
Good job to EVERYONE for braving the cold.

No commuting for me for a few weeks. I had an appendectomy yesterday, so I'll be off the bike for a while. :(

twin

12-09-2009, 04:43 PM

Good luck and I hope you are on your bike soon. To everyone that rode congratulations!!!!!

Grog

12-09-2009, 06:40 PM

Poor Susan rode to work yesterday, nearly froze over on the way there, got to work, and totally froze over in the shower which was ice cold.

She thankfully survived to email me and warn me before I left home. So I took transit.

Today neither of us cycled.

I think I'll risk it tomorrow, though.

blackhillsbiker

12-09-2009, 07:00 PM

Got my snow tires on today. Tomorrow's supposed to warm up to 17°F. I can't wait to get back on my bike. This is the longest I've gone without riding since I had pneumonia last spring.

Deb

lph

12-10-2009, 12:21 AM

My commute today was certainly a bit unusual...

It started with my son squealing in delight at the window "Look, look, it's Obama!" at three ominous-looking black military helicopters clackalacking through the fog right past our house, on their way to the airport. Nothing like a bit of war atmosphere to kick-start the day :rolleyes:

Then I kit myself up, pull on all my winter gear, turn on my multiple blinkies, turn on my ipod, and roll off down my dark and normally peaceful, silent and deserted bike path. First person I meet is a policeman, standing in the dark with a machine-gun guarding the underpass under the motorway. We rarely see armed police. I stare, he stares. He waves, I nod.

After a while I muse that he sure got the loneliest job. Closer to town there are armed police guarding every single underpass and bridge, but they get to stand 2 or 3 together, and have cars and stuff. They seem nervous. I get eyeballed by every single one of them.

Downtown I give up counting police and police lines, but traffic is still running. Until I finally leave the bike path for my stretch down the main road which is usually full of heavy morning traffic, buses, cars and pedestrians... but I'm suddenly riding down a deserted road lined only with police. Uh-oh. I take out my earbuds, turn down my aggressive try-ignoring-THIS front blinkie, pull my Buff down off my face, and try to slow down and look innocuous. I get at least 3 blocks before I'm finally pulled over. "So where do you think you're... where are you planning on going?" he amends, as I smile innocently. I explain, and he lets me go "but stay on the sidewalk!" So I tootle along as calmly and non-aggressively as I can on the sidewalk, until I'm finally, safely out of Mr. President's official route.

Welcome to Oslo, Barack Obama. Hope you enjoy your Peace Prize. Personally, I hope you'll have more to show for your trip to Copenhagen.

Tri Girl

12-10-2009, 06:35 AM

wow, lph- definitely an interesting morning! Can't say I've ever had a commute like THAT before! :)

ginny

12-10-2009, 06:49 AM

lph! Wow! That's funny... this fall semester, they dedicated some building on campus to **** Cheney, and I got stuck in the middle of the secret service stuff (on my bike too) - I was really just annoyed.

Tri, get better soon! Sorry to hear you are off the bike.

It's slick out today, but I made it in without a single mishap. I really feel like I have accomplished something when I get to work in one piece in this nasty cold, slick weather - at least I manage to get one thing done a day :rolleyes:

he he he the edited out Mr Cheney's first name... tee hee - that's funny!

sgtiger

12-10-2009, 06:51 AM

LPH, if one had a guilty conscious that be one nerve-racking commute. 'Course there's nothing like starting your day with heavily armed people.:rolleyes::eek:

hoffsquared

12-11-2009, 04:26 AM

Very brisk ride in. 19F (not cold by some of the posts here). Core was nice & warm but I'll have to do better for feet & hands.

But a quite pleasant ride all in all. Hit all my intersections just perfect for once.

pfunk12

12-11-2009, 04:53 AM

3 for 4 this week. My daughter thought I was crazy to bike in this morning and although it was cold, it was definitely bearable and I was warming up nicely within a few miles. The hardest part for me this week is getting used to the cold temps after being in West Africa last week. 85-90 degrees every day to this :eek: But it sure does feel good to be back on the bike.

Melalvai

12-11-2009, 05:06 AM

Very brisk ride in. 19F (not cold by some of the posts here).
For your area, I'd say 19F is quite cold. My uninformed opinion is that cold is relative. If you are used to 20F, it doesn't seem all that bad. If you are used to 40F, 20F is extreme. I'm used to 30F, so 20F is getting pretty cold and 10F is extreme. I say, way to go!

Melalvai

12-11-2009, 08:39 AM

I took the cats to the vet today. It's warmed up a lot, it's right at freezing. I put blankets in the cat carriers with them, a blanket over each cat carrier, and a larger blanket over both of them, and strapped them to the trailer. The blankets were open at the bottoms so they'd get some air, while hopefully not subjecting them to a cold breeze.

They also have fur, and are warm blooded. And it was only 20 minutes each way. I was certainly warm, but they weren't pedaling, lazy things.

They weren't shivering, and appeared only as disturbed as they normally are about visiting the vet.

They both need their teeth cleaned, so we'll go back next week.

hoffsquared

12-11-2009, 10:47 AM

Tri Girl

12-11-2009, 11:12 AM

It's neat you trailered your cats to the vet.

ditto! :)

Ambikes

12-11-2009, 02:45 PM

This morning was a balmy 0F when I left the house. It was actually quite a nice ride in. By the time I left the university, the temperature had dropped to about -15F with a -31F wind chill. Burrrrr. Wind chills are supposed to drop into the minus 40s this weekend, so I don't think I'll be venturing out on the bike (or probably much at all!).

I totally agree that temperature tolerance is a function of what you are used to. I'm much more acclimated to cold weather living in Saskatoon than I ever was when I lived in Michigan. I find that the dryness here also makes it feel less cold at the same temperature. The lack of humidity also makes summer heat much more bearable.

Chicken Little

12-11-2009, 05:07 PM

Did a quick 30 mile commute today. It was 34 when I left. It counts as a commute because I stopped on the way back and grabbed red food coloring for Christmas candy cane cookies. I was miserable. The whole ride seemed uphill. I am now soothing myself with cookie dough.
Tomorrow is another day.

Shara

12-12-2009, 05:19 PM

I commuted yesterday. Twice! Short trips. Maybe 10km total but the second time I had my daughter on her weeride and a load of groceries in my basket. Felt like work! ha ha

7rider

12-15-2009, 01:51 PM

Whew!!!
First bike commute since December 1st! Sheesh.
Foggy but warm(ish) this morning, so no worries about black ice. Strong headwind riding home this evening but I donated blood today, so I used that as my reason/excuse for riding sloooooowly.
Tomorrow, I'll be wishing I had DivingBiker's Xtra-cycle, as I'm bringing a crock pot filled with meatballs to the office for our holiday luncheon. Since I don't have anything to carry it on with the bike, I'll be on Metro (the subway) instead. Bummer.

pfunk12

12-15-2009, 02:52 PM

Good for you, 7! Glad to hear you got back out there. I had a weird morning commute. I forgot to recharge my headlight last night. My dog was sick so I left a message for the vet, talked to the vet, helped my daughter with French homework, etc. Was too busy so I completely forgot about the light. So this morning, after riding only 15 minutes, the light went out. I stopped to put a back-up light on but it was so dark and a little foggy so the back-up light didn't help much. There were times when I honestly could not see the trail and I had no idea if I was still riding on it. :eek: The ride home was interesting. I almost got knocked off the bike when a gust of wind coming off the Potomac River almost blew me over. I lost control for a few seconds! Another :eek: There was a fierce headwind for most of the ride. No fun at all. But I ended up riding with a young guy who commented that he needed an electric assist bike. The two of us commented about how we got passed last evening by a guy riding one of those. I was doing 19 going uphill and when he blew by, I felt like I was standing still. Very demoralizing. :p

divingbiker

12-15-2009, 03:46 PM

You should have said something. We could have gotten the Xtracycle up to your house somehow, 7.

I fought the headwind today, too, but I really enjoyed my ride. It's been a long time since I've done a roundtrip commute. I've been wimping out and hitching rides home.

blackhillsbiker

12-15-2009, 04:41 PM

About 9 below this morning. About 9 above this evening. It's amazing how much warmer that felt.

Deb

P.S. I LOVE my new goggles!

lph

12-16-2009, 10:13 AM

Oh fardling barbling @$£€!"#¤% :mad:

The rear wheel on my poor ancient Kona has been wobbling and clunking and groaning and complaining since a snow storm last winter. So I took it off AGAIN, took out the axle and bearings AGAIN - I've done this at least 4 times now - and carefully pieced it all together again with the correct spacers according to an "exploded" diagram I found on the Shimano site. It's still worn, but miraculously, has now shut up and is scarcely wobbling.

But today the right shifter lever gave up the ghost. It hasn't sprung back on it's own for a while so I've had to tap it back every time I shift, but still usable. Now it's dead and I had to get by with the 3 front gears for the hilliest 10 km of my commute :mad:

Yeah, I have another mtb, but it has disk brakes so the wheels aren't interchangeable, so I'll have to spend time switching the studded tires. I hate that. They're full of snow and filthy and it's cold out and my hands will get sore and I want to go lie on the couch and watch tv :(

Boy, don't I sound a real grouch :D

blackhillsbiker

12-16-2009, 05:55 PM

Now that it's finally warmer (around 30), I got sick so I didn't ride today. I'm hoping to tomorrow.

Deb

Ambikes

12-16-2009, 06:43 PM

pfunk12

12-17-2009, 04:08 AM

Wow. Just wow.

Monday, however, was the worst commute ever. The temperature was around -30F with windchill in the -40s. The wind was blowing so hard and it was so cold that I got a brain-freeze headache from the outside in! Plus, the lube on my bike was not doing it's job, so it felt like I was pedaling a dump truck. And my toes and fingers froze. It was the longest 2km I have ever ridden. At least I know now not to try that again :eek:

mizzbananie

12-17-2009, 11:15 AM

Today was a good commute for me. Temperatures have warmed up to above 0F (I think it was about 5 today) and the wind went away. That's pretty nice for here this time of year.

Monday, however, was the worst commute ever. The temperature was around -30F with windchill in the -40s. The wind was blowing so hard and it was so cold that I got a brain-freeze headache from the outside in! Plus, the lube on my bike was not doing it's job, so it felt like I was pedaling a dump truck. And my toes and fingers froze. It was the longest 2km I have ever ridden. At least I know now not to try that again :eek:

oh man.. i'm in calgary, and i just couldn't ride last week. couldn't. my commute is 15km, and i figured i'd be dead before i made it. tho.. sure as heck i saw 3 people on the path who did their commute despite everything.

congratulations for giving it your best. i'm glad you lived to tell the tale.

lph

12-17-2009, 11:39 AM

it felt like I was pedaling a dump truck.

Love that expression :p You'll try it again, I just know it.

It was - 10 C this morning and windy, and even a bit colder and windier coming home. I had dressed well, though (took me 20 minutes, but hey, I was warm!) and I felt this sweet sense of kinship with the other bundled up bike riders out there, crunching along in concert on our studded tires :D There's not much snow but everything slows down a bit in the cold, so you sort of have time to look around and catch peoples eyes.

blackhillsbiker

12-17-2009, 08:17 PM

It warmed up here. My morning commute was pretty slushy. I was looking forward to the evening since things dried out pretty well today but like a dork, I forgot to charge my headlight. I don't like to ride home in the dark without a light so DH had to give me a ride home. I think I need a spare battery pack!

Deb

7rider

12-18-2009, 04:09 AM

It was 22 F (-5C) this a.m. when I left. Lots of layers and except for the fact that a Buff in front of my mouth makes me crazy (I feel like I can't breathe), I was fine. It took 6 miles of a 7.5 mile commute for my finger tips to unthaw, but I expected that. :rolleyes:
I also threw my light's battery charger in my pannier. I figure, it's dark enough that I really should enjoy the light of HIGH beam from my light, and if the battery indicator light should go on (signalling low charge), I could always charge it at work during the day. Fortunately, it didn't come on, and it will have plenty of charge for the ride home tonight.

lph

12-18-2009, 04:23 AM

Try cutting a hole (carefully, small at first) to breathe through! You'll look insane, but it really does work. Not so good if you only have on Buff maybe, but great if you can spare one.

azfiddle

12-18-2009, 07:05 AM

First ever commute and I'm feeling proud of myself.

It's pretty mild here- I think it was about 43 when I left, but dark out at 6:30. I've tried riding in to the school where I teach on a weekend, but not on a work day. It took a little longer this morning - maybe it's harder to get going in the cooler temperature. The distance is about 10 1/2 miles and it took me about 50 minutes.

It's not practical for most days, but Fridays work better because the dress code is jeans and a school t-shirt, and it's easier than trying to bring a dressier outfit.

Tri Girl

12-19-2009, 06:50 AM

good job, azfiddle!!! I'm always slower in the morning when it's cold. My winter commute takes about 20-25 minutes, but a warm commute only takes about 10-15 minutes. Do you feel like a rock star after your first commute? :)

pfunk12

12-19-2009, 07:03 AM

Congrats, azfiddle! Very cool about the first commute.

moderncyclista

12-19-2009, 04:21 PM

Muscles are tightening in colder weather. So commutes in cold weather, usually take longer. Your muscles for the first few miles are warming up and feel stiff.

Congrats on your first commute!

blackhillsbiker

12-21-2009, 04:30 PM

"Freezing Fog" all day. Riding in the fog is a surreal experience. I'm glad I didn't have to share a road with motorized vehicles. I'm also glad for studded tires. It was icy but my bike didn't seem to notice.

Deb

Geonz

12-21-2009, 04:51 PM

Given the conditions you have to ride in I'm glad you don't have to compete with the cars.

we had traces of freezing fog in the a.m. and half an inch of snow overnight -- roads were *mostly* dry. I took an extra mile to stop by Panera for scones and had one of those "beginning of the season" mishaps. Oh, yea, that parking space had no *snow* - the car had left - but the freezing fog had left a sheen. So, when I aimed for it and put my foot down... splat!
Seems I've learned to fall nicely, though, so I *might* have lost a little skin from the elbow but naught else. By the time I was commuting back, the roads were mostly *dry.* We're due for "wintry mix" tonight but not in any intensity, and then it'll be rain and rain and then rain and wind -- but I don't have to work Christmas Eve.
Lots better than last year, when I had one or two honestly epic commutes.

Oh, and the sweeties at the LBS showed me how to get my hub-generator light on & off on my Gazelle, so I didn't hav eto have that feeble four dollar flashlight. However, it's a great backup.

blackhillsbiker

12-21-2009, 05:42 PM

My last fall on my MTB was because my foot slipped when I stopped to survey a pile of snowy rocks in my way. Studded shoes might be the way to go! :p

The bike path goes past a parking lot where a guy was sitting in his running car smoking a cigarette. He hit his horn and yelled "Bikes are for summer, you dumb *ss!" He continued to hit the horn as I rode away. I wonder if he thought I would stop to talk to him or something. Bikes may be for summer, but apparently being a loud, smartmouthed idiot knows no season. :) Oh, well. Better him than ninja skateboarders.

Deb

azfiddle

12-21-2009, 05:53 PM

I did feel proud of myself!
It only took 37 minutes to get home, with a slight headwind. Guess what? It's downhill coming home ;)

PS- Modern Cyclista- I went to graduate school with Jim Malusa! I see him occasionally around Tucson

Melalvai

12-21-2009, 06:46 PM

It was already dark last night when I headed out to get groceries so I dug out the downlow glow, and the blinkie for the trailer. And the battery for the downlow glow. Once I'd found all that, and gotten the trailer hooked up, it was good and truly dark. Very nice ride.

Today's 2 rides to campus and back were nice too. It's been hovering just around freezing. That is just cold enough to keep me from sweating much but not so cold I'm uncomfortable. This is great weather to bike in.

On the ride home, I had all my lights with me, having found them last night, so I didn't have to worry about it being already dark.

Recently I've had 2 honks that I couldn't decide if they were being friendly or not? Every time that I've been able to ascertain the intention of those quasi-honks, it was unfriendly, so I suspect not, but it puzzles me. What is with this half-hearted harassment? Are they feeling intimidated by the new bicycle harassment ordinance?

blackhillsbiker

12-22-2009, 04:15 PM

I like fog! The trees are covered in hoarfrost. It is amazingly beautiful!

Deb

7rider

12-22-2009, 05:27 PM

It's the new math:

20 inches of snow on Saturday + (plus)
A County plowing standard of make residential streets "passable" not "clear" +
Daily freeze/thaw cycles creating lots of ice +
Holiday with the family out of state
--------------------------- (equals)
Bike commuting not in the cards for me for a while. :(
Maybe next year. ;)
I'll be thinkin' of y'all.
Ride safely.

blackhillsbiker

12-23-2009, 04:44 PM

Cataboo

12-23-2009, 05:48 PM

Blowing snow and ice. I felt very extreme. I was glad I had the snow tires. It really wasn't too bad. I need to find an alternative to the down jacket, though. It is good in the morning, but I overheat on the way home.

Deb

Maybe you can use a down vest instead.

There are a few down jackets that have pit zips (cloudveil down patrol is one), so you can open them to vent.

lph

12-24-2009, 01:49 AM

Layers! Make a note of which layers you need at which temps, and peel off accordingly for the ride home. I can be wearing 3 or 4 layers when it's really cold, which means it takes ages to get dressed :rolleyes: but I can always adjust to the temps. Getting too hot and sweaty can get you colder in the long run than being dressed jsut right.

blackhillsbiker

12-24-2009, 05:22 AM

I do pretty well with layers until I get to the last one. I don't have a good way of getting the down jacket home without wearing it. I carry several options for hats/gloves/balaclavas, etc. My commuter bag just won't fit the jacket. When it's above zero, I have a combination of wool, fleece and windbreaker that works very well and allows me to peel or add as needed. It's just when it's really cold that I'm stuck. I'll get it figured out before next week, though. :) Today I'm only going in for a few hours and I think I'm just going to go in the car with DH.

Deb

Becky

12-24-2009, 05:46 AM

I don't have a good way of getting the down jacket home without wearing it.

What about a small compression sack, like those that backpackers use for sleeping bags? Down is pretty squishy and compacts well.

Or those travel Space Bag things that they're always advertising on TV!

skhill

01-04-2010, 06:14 AM

My coldest ride yet! Sunday morning, 6 F, and I was going to just go ahead and drive. But then I took a look at the car, and realized it'd likely take me nearly as long to scrape the car as to get where I was going on my bike, so why not?

But no helmet, I'm afraid-- the thin but warm balaclava I wear under my helmet was damp because I had worn it on my run a little earlier. And I ended up taking off my glasses because they were so fogged up. I'm just glad there was no ice and very little traffic....

blackhillsbiker

01-04-2010, 04:40 PM

More "freezing fog." I wish the balaclava and I could come to some kind of understanding. It gets wet and miserable so I remove it and my face freezes. I'm going to try a merino wool one to see if it's any better. Other than that, it was beautiful with the frosted trees.

Deb

Melalvai

01-04-2010, 05:12 PM

The only reason I had to get on my bike today was to visit the bike shop for maintenance. So I did. I biked to bike! High today: 15F.

New brake pads. I love that pitch-me-over-the-handlebars new brake pad feeling.

Bike-shop-Mark refused to put on a new chain. He said he doesn't like to put on a new chain in this weather because it'll be crap by the time I get home from the salt on the roads. He knows I plan to replace the cassette in the spring anyway. He cleaned up the old one for me, which was nice of him.

Getting to the bike shop was comfortable. I went down the street for a hair cut, and getting back into my exterior layers, everything was a bit damp and uncomfortable from the sweat. It wasn't until I got to the big hill that I finally warmed up. You sure learn to love those hills, those hills that you were hating on all summer, in this kind of weather!

lph

01-05-2010, 12:01 AM

Oooh. Back on bike after long Christmas vacation. Woke up to the radio guy saying -14 deg C (7 F) and a fair bit of wind, so I dressed to the nines:

- shorts, wool boy shorts, thin wool tights, PI AmFib tights
- wool bra, wicking layer with windproof front, thin wool layer, winter jacket
- wool socks, winter shoes, roomy Goretex shoe covers
- thin wool glove liners, PI lobster gloves
- vaseline on cheekbones, nose and mouth, buff-with-a-hole pulled up to my eyes and nicely glued into place by the vaseline, thin wool balaclava, thin windproof helmet cap.

It felt like putting on armour before a battle. Got on my bike and wow! I felt invincible :D
Romped on down over a thin layer of skiddy snow, half the gears worked - no matter, I just thumped the front der. with my heel when necessary :p - rolled over intersections with all my gazillion lights flashing, and just felt like the queen of the universe. Got to work 50 minutes later comfortably warm all over.

I loooooove winter biking. :)

pfunk12

01-05-2010, 06:09 AM

Like you, lph...first commute since December 17th. Loooong time to be away from work. :) I was very excited about the commute...not so excited about going back to work. It was about 23 degrees with a wind chill of about 15 degrees so I dressed appropriately. I felt great the entire ride - never cold. But...the ice!!! :eek::eek::eek: A running friend had warned me that there would be patches of ice on the Capital Crescent Trail. Initially, it wasn't bad. The ice was in the middle of the trail so I could easily get by. I had decided early on that I was going to be careful - ride slowly - and if I was late for work...so be it. I saw lights in front of me and knew it was my buddy, Chip. I yelled to him when I caught up to him and he immediately warned me about the ice ahead. He said that we would eventually have to get off and walk the bikes. There were a few stretches where there were so many patches of ice - with only about an inch to get by - so as soon as I heard him unclip, I would unclip one shoe and we would walk with one shoe unclipped (glide...slide...skate!!) through. But when we got to that really icy stretch...OH MY! :eek::D It was about 100 yards of very thick, choppy ice. We had to get off the bikes and slide for 100 yards. But wow...what a beautiful, wonderful commute!!! The Potomac is frozen and absolutely gorgeous. Snow flakes started to fall. Can you tell I'm happy? :D Slightly crazy but oh so happy! I love my winter commute, too, lph. :) Oh...and we were the only 2 bike commuters out there. I felt special. :p

7rider

01-05-2010, 07:02 AM

Jealous.
I'm pondering how hard it would be to carry my bike over the dozen or so 6 foot (1.8 m) blocks of ice on the side path I need to get down at the start of my ride. There really isn't a work-around that's safe...so it's over the top, or wait until spring. :(

pfunk12

01-05-2010, 07:22 AM

Hmmm...have you been there recently to check it out? Can you go there and actually walk on it to check it out to see how safe/unsafe it is? To be honest, if I had been by myself this morning, when I saw that icy stretch, I might have turned around and gone home. Definitely don't want you to do anything that is going to cause injury to you but with this cold weather that we are having, this stuff might not melt until March (like you said the other day). So IF you can do get by safely, I say go for it!

bikerHen

01-05-2010, 12:39 PM

I've been able to ride 4 of the 5 days of the new year! I would have been 5 for 5 but we went snowshoeing on New Years Day. WOW! What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were dealing with 4+ feet of snow. This year, rain, and like this mornings commute slushy snow with lots of BIG puddles to ride through! :p Like everyone else I'm just loving my winter commuting. :D bikerHen

badgercat

01-05-2010, 01:01 PM

It was about 50F when I headed to campus this morning, 65F or so on my way back this afternoon. Perhaps it seems cruel to post this when so many are posting about snow and ice, but I'll pay for it when it's 100F in August, thankyouverymuch. :o Oh, Arizona.

Anyway, the main reason I wanted to post was that today was my first time going for a ride with PowerGrips on my pedals! I've never used toe clips or clipless or anything before. I still have to look down occasionally to get my feet in, but I think that's a mental block more than anything. There are a few stop signs and lights on my commute, but I didn't find the "clipping" in and out to be burdensome (though the straps probably should be a little tighter than they are right now--I'll play around with that). So far I think I really like them!

Melalvai

01-05-2010, 02:04 PM

The Potomac is frozen and absolutely gorgeous.

Can you skip the bridge and skate across the river? Talk about no traffic! :D

7rider

01-05-2010, 04:26 PM

Hmmm...have you been there recently to check it out? Can you go there and actually walk on it to check it out to see how safe/unsafe it is?
So IF you can do get by safely, I say go for it!

DH and I drove up the hill today, alongside the path I use to get out of my neighborhood. We counted (actually, HE counted..I gave up) 35 distinct and significant mounds of ice that were impassible except to go out into traffic (against traffic)... and that's just in the first block. By the church and houses, there were even more. Across the street (a 6 lane major thoro-fare full of crazy drivers and no shoulder....I tried riding it...once...and was nearly killed by crazy people. And I'm not hugely skittish of riding near cars.) was just as bad. Wahhhh....

blackhillsbiker

01-05-2010, 04:55 PM

Our city leaves lovely ice berms on both sides of every road. All winter. Getting across streets is so much fun... not. The rest of the commute is lovely, though. I would like a change from the "freezing fog" but I'm afraid the change will be heavy snowfall so I don't want to complain too loudly.

Deb

pfunk12

01-05-2010, 04:59 PM

Okay, so I have two brilliant ideas. DH wakes up bright and early and drives you just beyond the icy stretch. You get out of the car, get on your bike and ride to work and DH goes home. You do the opposite at the end of the day. OR...DH gets out there tomorrow with an ice chopper and the loving DH that he is...he works all day chopping away at that ice so that your path is clear and you are, once again, a very happy commuter! ;)

DH and I drove up the hill today, alongside the path I use to get out of my neighborhood. We counted (actually, HE counted..I gave up) 35 distinct and significant mounds of ice that were impassible except to go out into traffic (against traffic)... and that's just in the first block. By the church and houses, there were even more. Across the street (a 6 lane major thoro-fare full of crazy drivers and no shoulder....I tried riding it...once...and was nearly killed by crazy people. And I'm not hugely skittish of riding near cars.) was just as bad. Wahhhh....

pfunk12

01-05-2010, 05:14 PM

I think skating across the Potomac would have been easier than what I did! I left work a half hour early so I could see the ice.

Can you skip the bridge and skate across the river? Talk about no traffic! :D

7rider

01-05-2010, 05:19 PM

pfunk12

01-05-2010, 05:52 PM

Yes, that was me! I left work 30 minutes early and still got home at the same time. But I'm not complaining because at least I am on the bike.

DH begs to differ. He thinks that is NOT a brilliant idea! :rolleyes:

Were you riding up the hill towards your place at 5:25 p.m.? DH and I were pulling into the lot by the shop to get the trainer and saw a cyclist heading up the hill. Thought it might be you.

Ambikes

01-06-2010, 12:58 PM

Today was my first full day back to reality after 2+ weeks of Christmas vacation. I traveled back to Michigan to visit my family, so the readjustment to Saskatchewan temperatures has been a little painful :( Temperatures have been pretty steady right around the -6F mark today (windchills in the -20s). However, even though it's so cold here, I'm thankful that I get to ride my bike to work every day. I live so close (2km) that it seems like a shame to drive my car unless temperatures/conditions are dangerous.

blackhillsbiker

01-06-2010, 04:16 PM

I started out this morning, then had to turn back. :( I need wider tires, or more weight. I couldn't fight the wheel ruts any more. I know if I could just get to the path I would be fine but it was too far to walk and the windchill was just too low to spend the extra time outside. At lunch DH took me to the bike shop to get monster tires for my MTB. :D I rode a bit around the neighborhood tonight to get used to it. The windchill is about -20° so I didn't get to stay out very long. I only went over once. It was fun. I ordered some fenders. If I can't commute on my Kona I'll do it on the Giant. Bring it, winter! :cool:

Deb

kmehrzad

01-06-2010, 06:54 PM

Bring it, winter! :cool:

Love the attitude. :-)

Jenerator

01-06-2010, 09:09 PM

Sometime while I was stuck inside at work, the predicted cold front actually came through...

ride to work: 40 F & mostly dry roads with a few ice patches
ride home: 7 F & mostly snow packed roads with newly covered ice patches

Biciclista

01-07-2010, 06:07 AM

First commute of the year! it REALLY is difficult to get going again when it's dark out and the temp is below 40. What really works is wearing heavy winter boots and deluxe gloves..

ginny

01-07-2010, 07:12 AM

Yesterday we got that predicted cold front: I rode in yesterday, but it was snowing so heavily that i had to ride home at lunch and switch bike for car. Bummer. Today, it was -16 (again!) and still snowy (not really packed down by cars enough yet for me to ride on), so I bummed a ride to campus from my dbf and I may walk home at lunch and bring the bike back with me. Lousy weather!

lph

01-07-2010, 10:51 AM

Ai, so Tuesday I was Queen of the Universe, then the temperature dropped even more... It's been -20C (-4F) for the past 2 days, so yesterday I took the bus to work, bringing ski things, then went for a short ski trip right after work instead. Then today I had a couple of errands in town, so decided to bike commute. New temperature record for me, w00t! I went for the same stuff as for -15 C, but added a wind vest underneath my jacket, and my homemade "rain shorts" just to keep the wind off the my butt.

I had no trouble keeping warm, actually, but ohhh. It is a bit of a hassle riding when it's that cold. My bike did NOT want to shift in front at all. I just left it. In back it would just shift slowly and hesitantly. So basically I just coasted down the hills, and stood up and pedalled my *ss off uphill. And they still hadn't scraped the bike paths, so I was still skidding around in a thin layer of grungy potato flour snow, which made everything go even slower. Everybody else was all wrapped up in layers and paying no attention to anything, so I had to squeeze and sidle past any pedestrian, no matter which way they were heading. And the city has most definitely not bothered with plowing the bike lanes, so once on the road you just have to suck it up and get in the way of the cars.

Nothing terrible, I just felt slow, clumsy and in the way. But slightly vindicated hearing how everyone else had either had trouble starting their cars, or froze to death waiting for a delayed train, or whatever. It struck me that biking (or walking briskly), is actually one of the best and most guaranteed way to actually keep warm "during transport", rather than the opposite.

pfunk12

01-07-2010, 12:01 PM

Not sure if any of you have been experiencing the same things as I have been this week. As I mentioned the other day, this is my first day commuting since before the holidays so it's much colder than it was a few weeks ago and there is also (still) quite a bit of ice out there. Because of the possibility of hitting patches of ice, I am forced to be more alert than usual. I also feel as if my body is more tense. After my roundtrip commute on Tuesday, my biceps were actually sore. Believe me when I say that I am not complaining about the commute...:)...but when I get to the office in the morning and when I return home in the evening, I am physically and mentally drained and I am also very, very hungry. It's also been very windy so I feel like I am working twice as hard as I did a few weeks ago. Again, no complaints though. :)

lph

01-07-2010, 12:28 PM

Oh yeah, I'm expending much more energy. And eating a lot more chocolate to compensate :D

Biciclista

01-07-2010, 12:47 PM

pfunk12

01-07-2010, 02:09 PM

Glad to hear I'm not the only one indulging in chocolate! :D

Oh yeah, I'm expending much more energy. And eating a lot more chocolate to compensate :D

Melalvai

01-07-2010, 02:40 PM

I didn't really have anywhere to go today, but we don't often get this much snow and I wanted to try it out. So I headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things that we could probably live without.

I could do left turns ok, but not right turns. The road was just too messy, so I walked through the right turns. The bike lanes actually did get plowed but I stuck to the tire track which was clear all the way to pavement.

Last time I biked in snow I learned that it is important not to look down. I see all these chunks of snow and I start trying to avoid them. It works much better to keep my attention off the road immediately in front of me, because mostly I just go through it easily if I don't let it intimidate me.

It wasn't the most pleasant ride. The wind was pretty stiff. I didn't get awfully cold but I didn't stay too warm either. When I got home, I was feeling pretty negative about it. Then I realized I was feeling negative about everything, so I got some food. That helped briefly. Then the negativity came back, so more food. I might be eating all night long. I guess I burned a lot of calories in 6 miles!

pfunk12

01-07-2010, 02:52 PM

Join me and lph and have some chocolate, Melalvai! In fact, I'm eating Ghiradelli semi sweet chocolate chips in her honor right now! :D

It wasn't the most pleasant ride. The wind was pretty stiff. I didn't get awfully cold but I didn't stay too warm either. When I got home, I was feeling pretty negative about it. Then I realized I was feeling negative about everything, so I got some food. That helped briefly. Then the negativity came back, so more food. I might be eating all night long. I guess I burned a lot of calories in 6 miles!

blackhillsbiker

01-07-2010, 06:32 PM

-10° this morning and -5° this evening. I've had about enough of this cold snap. I overheated on the way to work. I sent some layers home with DH for the commute home. I'm on the MTB which is much more work than my Kona. Smaller fat tires. It stretches me out more, too. My shoulders are sore. But I rode.:D Take that, winter!:p

Deb

blackhillsbiker

01-07-2010, 06:35 PM

Last time I biked in snow I learned that it is important not to look down. I see all these chunks of snow and I start trying to avoid them. It works much better to keep my attention off the road immediately in front of me, because mostly I just go through it easily if I don't let it intimidate me.

That's where the goggles come in handy for me. I can't really see directly down so I have to focus further down the path. I'm learning a whole new way of riding. I think it will help my riding when the weather is good.

Deb

pfunk12

01-07-2010, 06:45 PM

Love your attitude! :)

[QUOTE=blackhillsbiker;485914 Take that, winter!:p[/QUOTE]

kmehrzad

01-07-2010, 07:13 PM

lph

01-07-2010, 11:39 PM

Join me and lph and have some chocolate, Melalvai! In fact, I'm eating Ghiradelli semi sweet chocolate chips in her honor right now! :D

Oooh, that sounds good! I have a small stash of most excellent Valrhona chocolate at work (3 kinds, Abinao, Guanaja and Caraïbe, my favourite), very good with white tea, and at home something filled with banana puree and passion fruit, which is a lot better than it sounds. Cheers! :D

I took the metro today. Wrapped up in down jacket and pants and my rabbit fur hat, and walked the final stretch. When it's this cold I'm satisfied with biking 2 or 3 times a week. The metro or bus gives me the chance to go skiing or swimming or something as well.

ginny

01-08-2010, 08:10 AM

it was -21F today on the way in! BBbbbrrrrr! I have also noticed that I am spending so much time and effort watching exactly where to ride on the snow/ice that my shoulders are all hunched up and my hamstrings actually sore from tensely riding while standing over snow and ice... funny. I won't say it's fun to ride in this weather, but I feel as though I have accomplished something every time I ride. :o

Biciclista

01-08-2010, 09:42 AM

I won't say it's fun to ride in this weather, but I feel as though I have accomplished something every time I ride. :o

no kidding. you're braver than me.

Melalvai

01-08-2010, 02:10 PM

I won't say it's fun to ride in this weather, but I feel as though I have accomplished something every time I ride.
Yes! Yesterday's ride was kind of awful, but if I hadn't gone, I would have felt like a wimp. (My weather is NOT as cold as yours.) Today's was much better. The streets are a lot better so I was riding on pavement much more than on packed snow.

Join me and lph and have some chocolate, Melalvai!
Mmmm. Too bad I gave up sugar recently. I might consider making an exception for strenuous exercise, but I really want to try to get through life without refined sugar & HFCS. Fortunately I have invented some creations that I call Hot Smoothies, like apple-pecan-milk, and nutmeg-sweet potato-milk! I had one of those as soon as I got home yesterday, but maybe just needed something more substantial to follow up.

Tri Girl

01-08-2010, 05:50 PM

Deb- you're my ultimate hero. You ladies are serious studs. I haven't ridden in over a month (between my emergency appendectomy, the two weeks of Christmas break and this week of teens and twenties with wind chills at or below zero).
I CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE AGAIN!!!!! Next week will be in the 40's. It should feel like summertime compared to this week. Oh, I'm riding. You bet I am. ;)

lph

01-09-2010, 01:28 AM

-21 F! Dang, you rock :D Love this thread.

kmehrzad

01-09-2010, 12:56 PM

lph

01-12-2010, 11:34 AM

I <3 my commute.

Ambikes

01-14-2010, 11:15 AM

Biciclista

01-14-2010, 12:18 PM

oh funny. it's warm in Saskatchewan? my aunt in Florida is freezing.

And my commute today will be WET...

carback

01-14-2010, 12:53 PM

For the second time in 4 days, it was another "red horizontal box" day. In other words, a heavy rainfall warning was posted by Environment Canada for our area. And apparently there's another warning for tomorrow.

Except for the hub-deep puddles, but thanks to head-to-chin Goretex, I'm (almost) dry as a bone.

blackhillsbiker

01-14-2010, 08:29 PM

My commutes have been BLISSFUL this week. Saskatchewan is having an abnormally warm spell for January, and I couldn't be happier :) I can't even complain too much about the slush and mud since it's ABOVE FREEZING!!!

It's gorgeous here, too. I've had to get out my windbreaker and haven't needed the baselayer. :) I will need to wash the bikes this weekend but that's a small price to pay for such wonderful weather.

Deb

Melalvai

01-15-2010, 05:11 PM

I exceeded the speed limit today. :D 21 mph in a 20 mph zone that passes by the hospital.

And no longer concerned about ice, and favored with light traffic at that intersection, I coasted around a curve at 25 mph. My bike leaned over.

blackhillsbiker

01-18-2010, 07:42 PM

It was so nice tonight I extended my ride to my favorite loop around the lake. Unfortunately, the hydraulic brake (front brake) on my Kona is leaking. I almost have no brake at all. She'll have to make a visit to the LBS tomorrow. Commuting on the MTB isn't nearly as fun, especially now that the weather is nice and the path and streets are dry. Hopefully he'll be able to get her fixed up and back on the road tomorrow.

Deb

pfunk12

01-19-2010, 05:24 AM

My commute this morning was wonderful. I met my buddy, Chip, a few miles into it and we were the only ones out there. It was crisp and cold (33 degrees)...very peaceful. Good news is that the recent higher temperatures and rain got rid of all of the ice on the trail.

Melalvai

01-19-2010, 06:22 AM

I like this "heat wave" (that's what it feels like, following that cold snap!). But what happened to the sun?? We've had fog for three days. I'll actually take the cold back, with ice, if I could just see the sun.

On my way to the dentist I was flying. 3 miles in 13 minutes--that is unusual for me. Coming home took 50% longer, about 20 minutes. That's more typical. The wind wasn't too strong, but downhill with a tailwind vs uphill with a headwind made a big difference.

This afternoon I'll go to campus, and I'm charging my downlow glow battery so that I don't feel pressured to get home while it is still light. The rats don't like to be rushed!

ginny

01-19-2010, 11:40 AM

we too have had a heat wave! I knew things were melting during the day and freezing at night, but this morning I nearly killed myself rounding a corner on ice as slick as an ice skating rink! Thankfully, it will be melty when I go home.

Tri Girl

01-19-2010, 03:18 PM

I'm back in the saddle! Commuted today for the first time since early December- and on my new commuter I found at a pawn shop this weekend (it's a Giant touring bike from the 90's with a generator and everything).

This morning it was creepy foggy outside with visibility less than .25 mile, but the air was cool and crisp and it smelled like rain. In the afternoon it rained a little. Ran an errand after work before heading home. So glad to be back at it.

Here's my new bike:

Biciclista

01-19-2010, 03:33 PM

completed my weekly commute on my old mixte bike, something was clicking but it didn't affect my ride. what DID affect my ride were the 24 mph wind gusts.. but i got home ok

blackhillsbiker

01-19-2010, 04:48 PM

It was cold and damp this morning. Tonight was beautiful. I took a ride around the lake again. I miss that extra loop when it is too cold/snowy/icy to contemplate the extra mileage. I have a front brake again but I think it is still leaking. Firefly might have to take another trip to the LBS this week.:(

Deb

kmehrzad

01-19-2010, 04:58 PM

HillSlugger

01-19-2010, 05:44 PM

I'm planning my first commute of 2010 tomorrow! Mid 30's to mid 40's with light winds predicted :) Last year I didn't start until March, cool!

ginny

01-19-2010, 05:56 PM

Tri: AWESOME find! Was it fun to ride? ...even through fog. Sometimes I love the quiet of the fog and how things look so different; sometimes I too am completely creeped out by it!

blackhillsbiker

01-19-2010, 06:25 PM

I'm back in the saddle! Commuted today for the first time since early December- and on my new commuter I found at a pawn shop this weekend (it's a Giant touring bike from the 90's with a generator and everything).

What an awesome find!! I had a Schwinn Varsity with generator lights. I never should have sold that bike! I hope you have many happy miles on it! I know the step-through frame isn't popular right now, but think how cool you'll look this summer when you can run errands wearing a sundress.:)

Deb

7rider

01-20-2010, 04:29 AM

I also got my first ride in today of the new year. My first commute since "The Blizzard of '09" dumped 20 inches (51 cm) of snow on the area. Today was supposed to be decent - highs around 40 (4 C) and the icebergs that block the route out of my neighborhood have receded enough to let me pass - I decided to go.
I look out the window this a.m. "Hey....the roads are wet. It wasn't supposed to rain." :mad: I turn on the computer. Check doppler. Looks okay....scattered and light and ending soon. I'll go.
So, I load up all my stuff. Get the bike ready. Open the garage door and walk outside.
"Whoa! This isn't rain!!"
My acute powers of observation noted that the grass and cars were covered in ice! :eek: I think my comment was echoed by just about everybody else who walked outside their home this morning. :rolleyes:
I went anyway. Other than throwing my chain on the first hill (I think b/c of the ice...I've never thrown a chain there), it was fine. I was the only set of bike tracks - or any tracks - through the icy slush on the bike path. It was actually pretty cool.

pfunk12

01-20-2010, 04:50 AM

Okay, 7...my reaction was a bit different from your reaction. :) What was up with the weatherman this morning?!!! :p He was talking about light rain passing through the area. Did he not realize that there was sleet coming down?? When I walked the dog at 5:45, light sleet was falling. And I thought - oh, what the heck...this isn't bad. About 20 minutes into my commute, the sleet was coming down so hard and so fast - it was accumlating on the trail. And the visibility was zero! :eek: I couldn't see where I was going and my face and eyes were being pelted by the sleet. It hurt! :( My co-workers think that I was crying because my eyes are still red. But okay...it was kind of fun. ;)
I was checking out rain gear last night on TE. Time to buy some rain pants for days like this!

7rider

01-20-2010, 05:05 AM

Okay, 7...my reaction was a bit different from your reaction.

I think it was a bit worse south of me and into the District.....right where you were!

pfunk12

01-20-2010, 05:19 AM

Melalvai

01-20-2010, 06:15 AM

I was checking out rain gear last night on TE. Time to buy some rain pants for days like this!
And some goggles! Then you can have the fun of iced-over goggles. I had one memorable ride, where I was peering out of the bottom quarter of the right side of my goggles. The rest had iced over. Maybe I should have stopped and wiped them clear!

pfunk12

01-20-2010, 08:09 AM

Are you trying to further complicate my commute, Melavai? :p My eyes are still stinging and I really do feel as if I've been crying for a few hours.

And some goggles! Then you can have the fun of iced-over goggles. I had one memorable ride, where I was peering out of the bottom quarter of the right side of my goggles. The rest had iced over. Maybe I should have stopped and wiped them clear!

Biciclista

01-20-2010, 09:25 AM

you two are inspirational. I rode home last night in near 60 degrees on dry pavement.

HillSlugger

01-20-2010, 02:31 PM

Exactly! It was really bad when I was crossing over the MD-DC border. I was considering putting my sunglasses on at 6:30 a.m. but decided that it was probably better NOT to see because of ice in my eyes rather than complete darkness. :) They still hurt...:D

Up by me it was just wet roads when I left at 7am. My bike got a bit messy but it was an uneventful ride in. I left work a bit early in the afternoon so I was able to get home while it was still dusk.

So, why did I feel colder on the way home even though the temp was 5F warmer?

btw, on the ride in my glasses kept fogging up whenever I had to stop for a light. :(

7rider

01-20-2010, 02:47 PM

So, why did I feel colder on the way home even though the temp was 5F warmer?

I felt the same way! It was a damp, raw, ride home.

blackhillsbiker

01-20-2010, 08:17 PM

More freezing fog. That seems to be this winter's theme song. I'd rather be on a bike on the path than in the car in the fog!

Deb

pfunk12

01-21-2010, 05:51 AM

I shouldn't even try to respond to this since I'm clueless about weather. :) But apparently the local forecasters are as clueless as me since they didn't predict the sleet that was falling yesterday morning when they were talking about the current weather!!! :p But does it have something to do with the air and the dryness in the air? Or is it the opposite and the air is damp? See...I don't know what I'm talking about. Did the group ride on Saturday and everyone was complaining about how cold it felt even though the temp wasn't that bad.

So, why did I feel colder on the way home even though the temp was 5F warmer?(

pfunk12

01-21-2010, 05:52 AM

Sounds like you had a really enjoyable ride, Mimi.

you two are inspirational. I rode home last night in near 60 degrees on dry pavement.

Melalvai

01-21-2010, 08:23 AM

So, why did I feel colder on the way home even though the temp was 5F warmer?
The sun, the wind, and the hills.

Even though I'm wearing a neon yellow jacket and a white helmet, riding in sunshine is noticeably warmer. I guess my pants are all black, both the goretex and the polartec, whichever I'm wearing on the outer layer. Somehow I soak up enough sun to make a difference.

It is more uphill going home, so I tend to be warmer on my ride home, the opposite of you.

Wind against me is colder.

HillSlugger

01-21-2010, 03:17 PM

The sun, the wind, and the hills.

Even though I'm wearing a neon yellow jacket and a white helmet, riding in sunshine is noticeably warmer. I guess my pants are all black, both the goretex and the polartec, whichever I'm wearing on the outer layer. Somehow I soak up enough sun to make a difference.

It is more uphill going home, so I tend to be warmer on my ride home, the opposite of you.

Wind against me is colder.

No sun either way yesterday. I think there was more breeze last night.

7rider

01-21-2010, 03:46 PM

Never mind.

I posted a reply....but I deleted it and now, I don't know what to say.
Sigh.

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 04:55 AM

It started out to be a wonderful commute. I was so happy to be starting my day on the bike. The air was crisp and I was in a good mood. As I passed runners and walkers, I said, "Have a good run" or "Have a nice day". I made my way into DC and was about 3/4 of a mile from work - near the Jefferson Memorial. The street near the Jeff is one way - facing me - so you have to get up on the sidewalk. I realize that there is a section in DC where it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks but it's up near Pennsylvania Ave., Constitution Ave., etc. - far away from where I was riding. I saw a woman walking my way and she was in the middle of the sidewalk with her head down, listening to her IPod. I yelled, "Heads up!" No reaction. Again, "Heads up!" She finally looked up but instead of moving to her right, it looked like she was intentionally walking into my path. :eek: Of course, this is all happening so fast but I'm thinking to myself, "What is she thinking?!:eek: and What is she doing?! :eek: and What should I do?!:eek: For those of you who are familiar with this sidewalk, it is wide. Extremely wide. There is no reason that a cyclist should be struggling to figure out where to go when a pedestrian is coming towards her. As I went to squeeze by her, she punched me in the arm! :mad::mad::eek::eek: Okay, can you tell how I'm feeling right now? :D So what did I do? I did a U-turn into the street and went back to have a little chat with her. I'm usually a very calm person but I was not calm at that point. Lots of 4-letter words spewing out of my mouth. :eek: She was ignoring me (probably couldn't hear me because of her music). Finally she says calmly, "It's a sidewalk." Huh?? BUT IT'S NOT ILLEGAL FOR CYCLISTS TO BE ON THIS SIDEWALK!!! Next time she decides to punch a cyclist, she might injure them. I ride on this sidewalk every morning and half the time, there are Park Police officers hanging around (since they are protecting the Memorial) and I greet them and they greet me. If it was illegal, they would fine me and every other cyclist who is riding on it. So that's how my morning started. And how is your morning? :D

Red Rock

01-26-2010, 06:20 AM

pfunk12 hope that you are ok. That is no way to start the morning for sure. I hope your ride back home is better. Would it be worth saying something to the Park Police when you see them?

Red Rock

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 06:28 AM

Thanks, Red Rock. It really rattled me. Honestly...a year or so ago, when I wasn't experienced on the bike...who knows? She may have knocked me off. I could go off on a tangent here but...why all the anger?? I may say something to the Park Police next time I see them (most likely tomorrow). There were actually 2 police cars nearby and the officers were talking to each other. I could have gone up to them at that time but I was too stymied. On a positive note...my co-workers are getting a kick out of it. :D Instead of road rage, they said that I experienced sidewalk rage!

pfunk12 hope that you are ok. That is no way to start the morning for sure. I hope your ride back home is better. Would it be worth saying something to the Park Police when you see them?

Red Rock

Biciclista

01-26-2010, 06:40 AM

Pfunk, i had a near collision with a pedestrian on a multiple use path once and it came down almost exactly the same way without a punch. sh|t happens!
I'm hoping she didn't punch you hard enough to hurt.

and yes, i rode to work today!

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 06:45 AM

Mimi - Yes, sh*t happens! And fortunately her punch did not hurt me.

And good for you on your commute!

Pfunk, i had a near collision with a pedestrian on a multiple use path once and it came down almost exactly the same way without a punch. sh|t happens!
I'm hoping she didn't punch you hard enough to hurt.

and yes, i rode to work today!

lph

01-26-2010, 07:26 AM

You got PUNCHED? :confused: Wow...

That makes my little encounter with pedestrians this morning even smaller. I came up behind 3 well-dressed women, wearing coats, nice boots, no hats and wheeling suitcases (i.e. probably visitors to the area) and wheeled veery slowly behind them over the crosswalk. I made a slight attempt to pass them before they made the rather narrow sidewalk again, but they hadn't noticed me so I basically gave up and just did almost a track-stand right behind them.

One of them notices me, nudges the others over a bit, and I start pedalling heavily and veeery slowly past them.At no point have I moved faster than a slow jogger. And I hear just as I leave them: "Crazy cyclists!"

Huh? :confused:

Maybe they were just cold and impressed at my biking in all of -10 C ;) Would help if they put on hats though.

ginny

01-26-2010, 07:50 AM

If you punch someone, isn't that called 'assault'? WTF? That is just amazingly inappropriate! Yesterday, I was riding through campus (slowly as it was between classes), and there was this guy in his 50's or so absolutely meandering through people.... I kept trying to go around him one way and then the other... finally, I just went between him and someone else. No one was touched - he was about 1 step from me when I made my speedy little move... and he hollared after me 'hey' ... 'hey'? Dude! Learn to walk in a crowd! BTW, it's perfectly acceptable for me to be riding where I was; there are dismount zones on campus, but I was not in one. It's weird how there are a few people who just don't know how to move in a crowd - and it's amazing how difficult that makes it get around them!

7rider

01-26-2010, 07:56 AM

Wow, P. Crazy people down there. She must have been jammin' to some rockin' tunes on her I-pod, and gave you an "Atta girl" punch for being such an awesome bike commuter. Yeah. That's it. :cool: Glad she didn't cause any damage in her zeal to be slap happy.

Me...I woke up at 3 a.m. to a coughing fit and achy all over. Ended up staying home, sick. So much for my 3-day commute week, eh? At least those icebergs are now officially gone with the 50 degrees and rain yesterday.

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 08:11 AM

Yes, lph...I'm going to think positively like 7rider and say that they were so impressed with you and your passion to cycle in cold weather so it was a compliment! ;)

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 08:14 AM

Okay, 7...I can't stop laughing! :D Funny how someone who is exercising for their health can be so angry that THEY PUNCH SOMEONE!

Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well :( Hope you get over that soon.

Wow, P. Crazy people down there. She must have been jammin' to some rockin' tunes on her I-pod, and gave you an "Atta girl" punch for being such an awesome bike commuter. Yeah. That's it. :cool: Glad she didn't cause any damage in her zeal to be slap happy.

Me...I woke up at 3 a.m. to a coughing fit and achy all over. Ended up staying home, sick. So much for my 3-day commute week, eh? At least those icebergs are now officially gone with the 50 degrees and rain yesterday.

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 08:17 AM

Ginny - I thought about that after the fact. I was assaulted by a pedestrian who was walking for their health. So weird. I would imagine that you have to be pretty skilled and alert to maneuver around people on campus.

If you punch someone, isn't that called 'assault'? WTF? That is just amazingly inappropriate! Yesterday, I was riding through campus (slowly as it was between classes), and there was this guy in his 50's or so absolutely meandering through people.... I kept trying to go around him one way and then the other... finally, I just went between him and someone else. No one was touched - he was about 1 step from me when I made my speedy little move... and he hollared after me 'hey' ... 'hey'? Dude! Learn to walk in a crowd! BTW, it's perfectly acceptable for me to be riding where I was; there are dismount zones on campus, but I was not in one. It's weird how there are a few people who just don't know how to move in a crowd - and it's amazing how difficult that makes it get around them!

ginny

01-26-2010, 08:52 AM

pfunk - for a long time, I did a lot of... shall we say... unplanned dismounts and/or nearly falling over my handlebars to stop on campus. I have become much better at navigating through people texting and chewing gum/walking at the same time :D

tangentgirl

01-26-2010, 09:49 AM

Wow, pfunk, that is wild. Good for you for not beating her down like you were on the jerry springer show.

My commute today was uneventful, as I drove my car, but my bike commute yesterday had more roadblocks - some of them literal - than I am used to. Sand, tons of it, on my regular path. Then the other path I take was closed, probably because we have had rainstorms lately and it's along a wash, but still. I ended up having to jump on a semi-freeway stretch of road to get to work.

Somehow, it was still nicer than driving. Go fig.

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 10:15 AM

I may not have beat her down, tangentgirl, but my mouth made me sound like a guest on the Jerry Springer show. :eek::D

Wow, pfunk, that is wild. Good for you for not beating her down like you were on the jerry springer show.

tangentgirl

01-26-2010, 03:09 PM

Sometimes that is just *#@!^%& necessary.

Tri Girl

01-26-2010, 03:12 PM

holy crap- you got punched?:eek::confused::eek:

My worst commute isn't anywhere NEAR that insane-o. What a nut. Next time she might just get run over and maybe then she'll look up while walking on a HUGE sidewalk (I lived in DC and am pretty sure I know where you're talking about). DUDE!:eek:

Melalvai

01-26-2010, 04:35 PM

I wasn't going to share my commute, as it was uneventful, but after these crazy stories, I think you might like to hear of a pleasant, uneventful commute.

My mom & daughter wrote a book together, had it printed and gave copies to everyone for christmas. Yesterday, I thought "I'd like to do that with her." My daughter loves dystopias (she's 14), so I suggested it to her: I'll write the point of view of the Establishment and she'll write the point of view of the Rebellion. She loves it. She added that it is a magic world, where magic users are downtrodden and disenfranchised.

I spent my commute, both ways, thinking out my part of the story.

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 04:58 PM

Tri Girl - I checked out the sidewalk this afternoon on the way home (I cycled on the road since I'm going with traffic). The sidewalk is HUGE (I think 4-5 cyclists could ride abreast) so not sure what her issue was.

Melalvai - You commute sounds pleasant. Hearing about uneventful commutes like yours is always nice. :) And nice about the book!

kmehrzad

01-26-2010, 05:20 PM

That was just downright wrong! I wonder if she was high on something ...

pfunk12

01-26-2010, 06:57 PM

I really have no idea what she was thinking but...it was early in the morning (just before 7) so it was dark, she had her head way down, and she was listening to music. Maybe she was sleepy? :p She wasn't angry at all so it was bizarre. Even when she said, "This is a sidewalk"...she said it so calmly. If you punch someone, shouldn't you be angry? :D I need to write a book about my life...

That was just downright wrong! I wonder if she was high on something ...

Maxxxie

01-26-2010, 11:53 PM

I would've punched her back. What's good for the goose and all....

I've been enjoying my rides to work, though last Friday was a bit tougher than usual. BestMate decided he wanted to try a longer route to work. I joined him for it, and ended up doing 47Km instead of my regular 23. I was pretty tired by the end of it, and ended up piking in the afternoon. I got MaxBabe to pick me up! I felt like a bit of a wimp, but the moment I got in the car, I started to nod off, so it's probably best that she came to get me.

No rides to work for me this week, with the Australia Day public holiday and the day off before, I haven't prepared any clothes etc. Next week I'll be more organised!

Max

lph

01-26-2010, 11:55 PM

pfunk12

01-27-2010, 03:43 AM

Another interesting commute this morning. I was on the trail - enjoying the moment - when I saw people with flashlights up ahead on the left side of the trail. I assumed it was runners since I often see women using them when they run in the dark. But...I also saw red flashing lights on the right hand side in a parking lot. As I was approaching the flashlights, I noticed that the 3 people were walking on to the trail into my path so I yelled, "Heads up!" and they stopped. They weren't runners. They were 3 big, strappin', hunky DC firefighters. As I slowly went by, the one firefighter said calmly, "Did you find a body?" :eek::eek::eek: At that point, I slammed on my brakes and clipped out and said, "Are you serious? Yeah, as if 3 DC firefighters are going to be playin' with me at 6:30 in the morning! He said, "We got a call in for a body." I think I said something (again) like, "Really?" They asked if I was heading all the way to DC and when I said yes, the one firefighter said, "If you find a body, call us." :eek::eek: Okay, so for the next mile or so, I had visions of Freddy and Jason popping out of the woods. In all seriousness, what's tomorrow morning's commute going to bring?! :D

7rider

01-27-2010, 04:40 AM

Man, I loooove D.C.!!! :rolleyes:

pfunk12

01-27-2010, 04:50 AM

Since my morning commutes this week have been so interesting, my friends think that tomorrow, I just might find the body!!!:eek::D

Man, I loooove D.C.!!! :rolleyes:

lph

01-27-2010, 04:53 AM

O. M. G. :eek:

Imagine being able to just say that calmly in the course of a normal work day. "Did you find a body?" :eek:

...

"Why yes, I did officer, it's right over there. And there's another one over thataway. Have a nice day!"

that is so bizarre. Here's hoping you do not find either a body or any, uh, attachments!

kmehrzad

01-27-2010, 06:55 AM

As I slowly went by, the one firefighter said calmly, "Did you find a body?"

Stated so matter of factly ... as if you, perchance, would have ridden by the firefighters and not mentioned seeing a body lying on the ground in passing. Hmmm!

pfunk12

01-27-2010, 07:16 AM

As I think about it more, I am assuming that they actually did think that I was the one who "called it in". When I yelled "heads up", they may have assumed that it meant, "Hey, heads up! I am the one who called in the body!!"?? I ran into my commuting buddy near the end of my ride and he told me that he saw them, but they didn't stop him to ask if he found a body. When I yelled to them (from far away), I had no idea at the time that they were firefighters (looking for a body:eek:).

Biciclista

01-27-2010, 07:34 AM

um Pfunk, you ought to post that in "things I found on my ride" thread. oh wait. You didn't find the body!

I rode today in misty cold fog. brrrr.

pfunk12

01-27-2010, 07:41 AM

I'm looking tomorrow, Mimi!!! If they haven't found it by then...:D

um Pfunk, you ought to post that in "things I found on my ride" thread. oh wait. You didn't find the body!

I rode today in misty cold fog. brrrr.

7rider

01-27-2010, 07:59 AM

Haven't seen anything on TOP (http://www.wtop.com/) yet, but I keep looking.

Makes me glad my own ride was so uneventful, as I sit here, looking at the battery charger for my light, wondering how long it will take my Li-Ion battery to charge. The "Charge Me" light went on this morning, and I'm glad I started carting the charger with me in my pannier. I'd hate for it to go out on me on the ride home.

But I can't help but wonder if it's a sign of how good the battery is, or how little I use it (i.e., how little I ride) that this is only the second time this winter that I'm re-charging it. And this will probably be the last time...since by mid-February, I should be able to make do with the smaller "be seen" flashing light, and not my big Knog light.

pfunk12

01-27-2010, 08:09 AM

7 - I started keeping my charger in my backpack because there were a few times that I forgot to charge my light in the evening and it went out on the morning commute. I think I leave earlier than you do so I'm really enjoying the extra daylight in the evening.

HillSlugger

01-27-2010, 10:07 AM

HillSlugger

01-27-2010, 04:23 PM

I rode in this morning, my first below freezing commute! :) On the way in my newest (and most $$) headlamp decided to fall off. When I went back for it I discovered that it had broken off of its mount :eek: I've already contacted customer service and they say they will replace it. I think I have enough other lights to get me home safely.

For my ride home I was able to lash the light to my bar using an extra lanyard I found in my desk :D

The part that lets you swivel the light to aim it is screwed to the bottom of the light; it broke off around the screw-in point. It also has a major crack along the body from where it hit the ground. On my lesser light the swivel is part of the mounting base. I hope this isn't a design flaw; nobody mentioned this as a problem in the reviews I read.

The light is all packed up and ready to send out.

tangentgirl

01-27-2010, 04:24 PM

My mom & daughter wrote a book together, had it printed and gave copies to everyone for christmas. Yesterday, I thought "I'd like to do that with her." My daughter loves dystopias (she's 14), so I suggested it to her: I'll write the point of view of the Establishment and she'll write the point of view of the Rebellion. She loves it. She added that it is a magic world, where magic users are downtrodden and disenfranchised.

I spent my commute, both ways, thinking out my part of the story.

This has to be one of the coolest things I've heard all day. :D

**

Pfunk, maybe you should start videoing your commutes.

**

HillSlugger

01-27-2010, 04:30 PM

btw my biggest issue this morning was the cold air making my eyes tear; how do you deal with this?

7rider

01-27-2010, 04:35 PM

btw my biggest issue this morning was the cold air making my eyes tear; how do you deal with this?

Honestly, just this morning I was just thinking of this and thought: Closing my eyes works. Maybe I'll just close my eyes. But then, I thought that might not be the wisest move on a bike. :cool: I use clear eyeglasses and it helps somewhat. Some use goggles.

Hill....are they replacing the whole light, or just a mounting bracket?

HillSlugger

01-27-2010, 04:51 PM

Honestly, just this morning I was just thinking of this and thought: Closing my eyes works. Maybe I'll just close my eyes. But then, I thought that might not be the wisest move on a bike. :cool: I use clear eyeglasses and it helps somewhat. Some use goggles.

Hill....are they replacing the whole light, or just a mounting bracket?

The whole light needs to be replaced.

Jenerator

01-27-2010, 08:27 PM

Clear & crisp riding to work. Another really nice sunrise. Glad it's getting lighter for the ride to work. Snow predicted to start at 5, so had a nice ride home in the snow. Hopin' for a powder day tomorrow, but the snow's backed off a bit, so it might just be slop in the morning.

pfunk12

01-28-2010, 05:40 AM

I think it's worth reporting that there is nothing to report this morning. :p:rolleyes:

Biciclista

01-28-2010, 07:17 AM

I think it's worth reporting that there is nothing to report this morning. :p:rolleyes:

not even a funny smell? :cool: I'm glad to hear it!

martinkap

01-28-2010, 11:07 AM

I have underestimated the weather. 4 inches of fresh unplowed snow under my skinny tires on the bike path for 5 miles were brakeless (brakes were stuck by snow) but peaceful. 1 mile on slimy, slushy road sliding made brakes utterly useless.

Soaked clothes with salty water is now drying. I am dreading the ride back in the evening. The forecast is calling for 100% showers and 40mph gust winds!

Note to myself: Have a spare set of underwear in my office.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs141.snc3/16860_275114933129_728723129_3184629_3000927_n.jpg

Maxxxie

01-28-2010, 11:19 AM

:eek: :eek: :eek:

You are one brave cyclist, Martinkap!!

Max

Tri Girl

01-28-2010, 11:35 AM

brave for sure!!! What a cool picture, tho! :) Stay warm.

kmehrzad

01-28-2010, 01:01 PM

I think it's worth reporting that there is nothing to report this morning. :p:rolleyes:

What a dull day then, eh?

kmehrzad

01-28-2010, 01:09 PM

btw my biggest issue this morning was the cold air making my eyes tear; how do you deal with this?

My eyes tear easily, as well - doesn't matter if it's a cold wind or warm wind. I don't wear contacts, and with my astigmatism I cannot wear sunglasses that wrap due to distortion. So, my optician suggested Liberty Sport Goggles and thus far I'm very happy with them and didn't notice any distortion. They're a nice snug fit, and there was definitely a significant decrease in tear production while riding last weekend into the wind. Here's the link to the goggles, if interested.

http://www.framesdirect.com/framesfp/Liberty_Sport-mikcpe/lb.html

pfunk12

01-28-2010, 04:33 PM

I had to stay late at work so instead of leaving at 4:30, I left at 5:30. I'm so used to cycling home when it was still light so I wasn't too thrilled with the darkness. I was about a mile from the spot where "the body" was supposedly located. All of a sudden, without warning, a cyclist comes flying up on my left and yells, "BOO!" I almost fell off the bike! :eek: It was Travis, a young kid I met a few weeks ago. We cycled home together on two occasions. I said, "Travis sweetie...let me tell you a story about a body." And then, "DON'T EVER SCARE ME AGAIN!" He said, "My bad, P...my bad." I couldn't stop laughing.

What a dull day then, eh?