My first ever snow commute

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm so proud of myself I could just burst! I've always been such a weenie about being outside in the cold. I love the new snow tires. I love looking like a "dork" to quote my 16-year-olds. I love the look on my bosses wife when I rode in on my bike today (she's my age, but twice my age, if you know what I mean). I got new goggles from 6pm.com. Between them, my balaclava, my hat and helmet, you can't see my face at all. The wind chill was -10 so I was prepared.:D I didn't fall, but I did have to walk my bike through some of the worst of the icy ruts where the snow had been packed down.

Deb

[Tri Girl]

Woo hoo!!! Glad your first attempt at a snow commute was successful!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D
Did she have on a face of disgust (I CAN'T believe you rode your bike) or amazement (I can't BELIEVE you rode your bike)? Either way, I'm sure it was priceless! Congrats on braving the cold you stud-ette. :)

[blackhillsbiker]

Did she have on a face of disgust (I CAN'T believe you rode your bike) or amazement (I can't BELIEVE you rode your bike)?
The look was somewhere in between. Yes, it was priceless! I'm sorry you're laid up, Tri Girl. I hope you feel better soon. I've been lurking on your blog and enjoying your adventures.

I love this forum. Where else would I find encouragement for biking in extreme weather! My friends all think I'm nuts. I'm just addicted to my bike and the way I feel when I ride.

Deb

[twin]

Sounds like fun and congratulations for braving the cold!!!!!

[Zen]

i would like to see your tires.
How far do you have to ride?

[PamNY]

Congratulations! I wish you had a video. I hope you continue to enjoy winter commuting.

Pam

[blackhillsbiker]

Here's the tire. Nokian A10. There are more aggressive ones available but these work well for me. I ride 4 miles to work, and about 5 miles home. The extra mile is my favorite route except in the mornings when it is crowded with kids trying to get to the high school. On the way to work I stay on the path pretty much the entire way. It's not a bad little commute. It takes about 20 minutes in the mornings, counting all the crossing stops.

Deb

[lph]

Nothing like a cold winter commute to make you feel on top of things! Congratulations! :D

[Biciclista]

we want to see you in your full battle regalia!! PHOTOS!

and i'm proud of you too. :D

[out_spokin']

Way to go! I was just saying to my partner the other day while posting to the commuter challenge how fun it is to have this group to brag to about things other people just think are weird!

[Ritamarie]

Deb,

That is SO cool. You girls are such an inspiration.

[malkin]

South Dakota!

I'm quaking with awe.
And face it, with cold even down here in balmy Salt Lake.

[surgtech1956]

Congratulations Blackhillsbiker. What are you commuting on?

[owlice]

w00t!!! Way to go!!

Here I am trying to stop being a wuss about riding in 30- and 40-degree weather even when it's fair (and I'm trying to stop being a wuss about riding in bad weather, and riding in the dark, too -- I have a lot to work on!), and there you are riding through snow with a wind chill of -10!!!! You are an inspiration!!!! You go, girl!!

[Crankin]

There's nothing wrong with not wanting ride in -10 temperatures. Personally, I don't like riding below 40. I've ridden in the 30's, but really, it's not fun for me. I have the gear, so when the mood strikes me, I'll take my hybrid out in the winter if it's a sunny day and the roads are OK.
Ice, snow, and tires just don't mix for me because I would be spending the whole time worrying that I was going to crash. Besides, I like having a season for x country skiing and snow shoeing.
But, I don't think anyone is weird for commuting through the winter.

[blackhillsbiker]

I have my own reasons for doing this. In a strange way, it is fun for me. I am proving to myself that I can do something I never would have considered before. I'm outside getting exercise. The concentration it requires seems to whisk away the stresses of my job. Up until this year, winter has always depressed me. All the anti-depression meds I've tried have icky side effects. I feel better this winter than I ever have, with no meds. I certainly understand why someone would NOT want to bike in this weather! It is important to me, though.

surgtech1956: I have a 2009 Kona Dew Deluxe set up as a comfy commuter with a Brooks saddle, Ergon grips, a rack and good lights. I really like the way this bike fits me. I also love the electric blue color. It makes me smile. Her name is "Firefly."

Deb

[Crankin]

Yes, being outside is *much* better than meds. I always say the way to deal with winter is to be out in it. I'm just being out in it in a different way. Plus, it doesn't get to -10 here very often!

[tulip]

What a great story, Deb! If I lived in a place like South Dakota in the winter, I would either bury myself in blankets until June or get out and make the absolute MOST of it. When I commuted in the winter, I felt so alive! And it was just great to pass all the cars that were stuck in traffic...I don't need my studded tires here, but I still have them. Just in case.

Your commute sounds delightful.

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm walking less and riding more. I think my balance is improving. I'm also learning that a tight grip on the bars is not a good thing. I rode through some stuff today without even thinking about it that would have landed me on the pavement when I first started this adventure. This morning I really appreciated my goggles and balaclava. They have made me much more comfortable.

Deb

[kfergos]

Woo! Good for you! Snow biking is so satisfying because it feels like this huge accomplishment when you safely arrive at your destination. I won't pretend I *enjoyed* snow biking when I lived in Massachusetts, but it did make for some of my most triumphant-feeling rides -- after I peeled my hands off my handlebars, that is. :rolleyes: I found that you're right: Hanging on for dear life doesn't actually help, even though it's instinctual. Another thing I learned was to not worry what the rear of the bike is doing so much and focus on keeping control of the front of the bike. If the back slides around a bit, that's OK, as long as you keep moving forward and have the front wheel in control. Good luck with the continued riding and I hope you have many wonderful, uplifting winter rides!

[Geonz]

Huzzah Huzzah :) :)

My personal record is eleven below, and people think I'm nuts and a half. You're rockin' :)

Another "side effect" -- I get practice, um, falling, which I suppose will come in handy as I age. Today we were a balmy 29 degrees, so the roads were above freezing, but that clear looking parking space at Panera where I stopped to pick up scones was black ice. The studded tyres were fine, but no studs on the feet...

I do remember, though, that if it's rully rully bad... or, if I am not up for it... there's that bus thing.

[Melalvai]

My personal record is eleven below, and people think I'm nuts and a half.
I love this place because people here don't think I'm crazy for choosing to bike. It's awesome you have a personal record in this matter! I don't know what mine is, probably right around 0F.

People here might think I'm crazy for other reasons (and they might not be wrong), but not for biking.

[ginny]

Deb,

Good for you! You are AWESOME! I agree that winter is depressing (I think it's a lack of light thing), but I also agree that riding in gets me over that - and I feel like I have accomplished something just arriving at work in one piece. Of course, the same can be said for those arriving in cars in lousy weather as well - perhaps even more so. Is it absolutely crazy that I feel safer riding my bike in truly horrible weather than driving a car? :confused: