Equinox approaches...shall we have a fall/winter commuter challenge again?

[out_spokin']

Hi all,
Us northern hemispherers are noticing darker and/or cooler commutes these days.....

I've been pretty habitual with my commute, but it's always nice having a goal and a community of supporters to help get me out of a cozy bed on those cold dark mornings and out onto the magical bike. Are folks interested this year?

The pattern that's worked well is this: those interested chime in here with your goal for commuting and/or "utility cycling" (errands and other daily living stuff). Your caveats are welcome, or can be saved 'til needed. ;) If we get a critical mass I'll start a new thread, and therein you're welcome to share your progress, highlights or lowlights of your commute, whatever works.

Our challenge will be fall equinox to spring equinox, or roughly late September through late March. And certainly if you're in the Southern hemisphere and want to join, you're most welcome to join and rename your equinoxes!

And if folks would rather just chime in on other commute-related threads instead, no worries...I'm so grateful for the original challenge a couple years back when this TE forum helped me go from a fair-weather commuter to a committed year-rounder! :cool:

I'm off to think about my goal for the fall/winter!

[bikerHen]

I'm one of the "odd" ones that's really looking foward to those cold, dark winter commutes so count me in! I had such a steller commuting winter last year here in Eastern Washington. I'm sure we won't be as snowless this winter, but ya never know! :D So, I'm going to continue with my 5 day a week commute at least through the end of the year.

Looks like I'll be having shoulder surgery in January so that will put an end to my commuting winter. :( But I'll be back in action by spring, I hope. :o bikerHen

[uk elephant]

for some reason I've gotten really lazy over the summer. I need to stop making excuses. My goal would be to cycle commute at least 3 days a week (ideally 5, but there is some weather I'm not willing to face just yet). The hill should get easier by the end of the winter, right?

[Biciclista]

well, I'm planning on riding some through the winter, so I will be stopping in from time to time.

[Melalvai]

I really like the fall/winter commute reports. Really feeds my ego. :D

[blackhillsbiker]

Count me in. I almost asked about starting a new thread when I had to find my full gloves the other morning. I'm shooting for 4 days/week. 5 if possible.

Deb

[out_spokin']

OK, looks like a small but happy group. ;) I'm thinking at least 75% of my office days, and still working on a utilitarian/errand goal.

[kiwibug]

I've just started commuting to school this year.. I live in Canada (although - southern Ontario), and although I would love to commute throughout the winter I feel like snow/ice will probably get in the way. How do you guys deal with that?

[Tri Girl]

I'm definitely in! I won't guarantee how many days I'll ride (hopefully at least 2), but I will commit to once a week for certain.
I love a good challenge!

[blackhillsbiker]

I've just started commuting to school this year.. I live in Canada (although - southern Ontario), and although I would love to commute throughout the winter I feel like snow/ice will probably get in the way. How do you guys deal with that?

Merino wool layers, ski goggles, a wool Buff, warm mittens and (probably most important), studded snow tires. They are wonderful when riding on ice. I commuted through one of the worst winters the Black Hills had had in a long time last year. Missed very few days. Something about winter biking is addicting and makes me feel very alive. YMMV.

Deb

[pfunk12]

Count me in, too. I plan to ride every day unless it's snowing or there is ice on the roads. I enjoyed reading this thread last year.

[7rider]

I vote to disqualify Pfunk.
This thread distinctly says "challenge".
Bike commuting through all sorts of darkness, crappy weather, and other general ickiness is not a "challenge" for her! ;):D

My challenge will be: to not beat myself up when I take the subway, and I DON'T ride my bike to work, and the weather forecast turns out to be WRONG, WRONG, WRONG...and it would have been perfectly fine to ride in, but NOOOOOOO, I had to go and be all whimpy and stuff and leave the bike at home and look out the window at dry pavement. :mad: And then I can tell myself that "Rest days are just as important as workout days...maybe moreso." And believe it, if only my DH didn't go and buy a bunch of chocolate chip cookies when he went to the grocery store the other day (this is why I usually do the shopping! :rolleyes:) and if only I didn't eat a whole pile of them.

[pfunk12]

Okay, you're right. I think I can count the number of days on my two hands that I did NOT commute this year. :D Yesterday morning was my first commute in almost 2 and a half weeks because of a stressful situation at home (should be/could be another TE thread!). My wonderful supervisor let me work at home if/when I wanted to during that entire time. So even though it was raining (and then pouring rain) on the way in and the way home yesterday, I was out there...on my bike...with the biggest smile on my face. :D


I vote to disqualify Pfunk.
This thread distinctly says "challenge".
Bike commuting through all sorts of darkness, crappy weather, and other general ickiness is not a "challenge" for her! ;):D

[kfergos]

Oh man, I need to get back on the forum! So busy.

I'm in for this winter, and it should be a real challenge -- lots of snow predicted for the rainy Northwest, and I just moved to a house on a gigantic hill*. Studded tires anybody? :D

Work's looking a bit iffy (AmeriCorps stint ending, future uncertain), but my goal is to ride for all errands 3 miles or less, and for every commute to an office (assuming I work in an office).

* Brickyard Road, for inquiring minds.

[girlsubobscura]

I've been reading a lot of TE threads as I obsess over whether to buy a specialized sirrus or vita for my next commuter bike, but this was the thread that made me register so I could post. Last year I commuted until the end of december, and then stored Bertha until March 1st, by which point I was going absolutely crazy, and not feeling at all like myself without my normal 5 day a week commute (only a little under 4 miles each way). Ann Arbor is very hilly and last year was pretty snowy, but I'm going to try to commute all the way through this year, and I would definitely appreciate a winter challenge thread to keep me honest.

[colorisnt]

I will be commuting whenever I am healthy and it is not icy or snowy. My commuter is a road bike, so that is a safety concern. I was battling AWFUL migraines (had one tonight, but it was not that big of a deal) and didn't sleep for like 3 weeks. After doing a 25 mile charity ride on Sat and kick its butt I am really ready to get back into it BIG time. My car will be sad!

I love this weather and the cool mornings have been amazing to commute in. BIG BIG hill to get up, but not a big deal now that I sleep.

I just bought a headlight and blinky taillight. I don't ride at night, but I do ride at dawn/dusk, so that was another safety concern that got cleared up.

[girlsubobscura]

I just aquired a pair of snow goggles to fit over my (very strong) prescription eyeglasses, and a pair of Ortlieb waterproof panniers. So bring on the nasty weather! (Although as todays temps are in the unseasonably balmy 70's, maybe not until next week ;) )

[Melalvai]

I just aquired a pair of snow goggles to fit over my (very strong) prescription eyeglasses, and a pair of Ortlieb waterproof panniers. So bring on the nasty weather! (Although as todays temps are in the unseasonably balmy 70's, maybe not until next week ;) )
Way to go! Just to warm you, after I bought my expensive rain gear one rainy fall, it was several weeks before I had a chance to use it. It seemed that every time it rained, by the time I got my rain gear on and walked outside the rain was drying up!

I concluded that Goretex has magical properties. It keeps the rain off the entire area you are biking through.

[shootingstar]

I dunno about this. I'll be in a different city soon.

Long story about this one but it will be a colder place.

[out_spokin']

OK, after several weeks of travel then under the weather-ness, I'm ready to be all in for the challenge. I'll collect everyone's goal under an "official" challenge thread!

[Ambikes]

Can I still join?

It's brutally cold where I live, but I refuse to buy a parking permit at the university where I study (it's a racket!).

My goal is to ride every day that it's warmer than -25C, walk when it's colder and/or really snowy, and only drive to campus 1x per week maximum. Depending on what type of winter we get, this may or may not be reasonable.

[Melalvai]

Post your goal and your progress here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=40118