Fall/ Winter 2011 Commuters

[Melalvai]

I noticed the daily commute thread has been quiet lately. I miss it. I remembered we had a special thread for fall/ winter last year, I thought that might help. Anyone out there?

Yesterday was our first sort of cold day. Probably right around 40F. A little rain here & there but so far it's only been mist when I've been on my bike. I got the balaclava and big gloves out. I haven't gotten my wool undershirt out yet, nor the long johns. That merino undershirt is SO warm. The jacket + rain jacket is warm enough so far.

This is the 7th winter since I started bicycling for transportation, and every year I have to figure out what clothes go with what temperature and conditions all over again. I remember someone (lph?) mentioned keeping a log and then it was a lot easier the next year. I ought to do that.

Also, every single winter I have to acclimatize to the cold again. We go from super hot humid 100F and plummet straight into frost and below freezing and beyond, and wind, with hardly any time in between. This has been an odd year in that we've had not only multiple days, but multiple WEEKS of lovely weather. I heard that our average temp is the same as the northwest coast--only that average temp is a rare beast for us. We only get to the same average temp because of our extremes.

So I'm huddling in front of the fire place at home, or swathed in jackets and hats in my office, and dreading setting foot out of doors. I go through that phase every winter. (Acclimatizing to the heat is nearly as bad. I go through June on the bring of heat injury, and it's only in the upper 80's.)

[lph]

I'm here! It's just been touching the freezing point a few mornings this week, and dang, that feels cold. On with the booties, and what hat did I wear at this temperature anyway? and oh lord, please tell me I don't need studded tires yet, and boy, it's gotten dark out there.

Pale solid toes by the time I get to work and way too much time spent in the shower turning it hotter and hotter. Must go up to the attic and pull out the winter boots. I really want new ones. Lake, but they cost a small fortune.

And I gotta find that neat little matrix I made of what to wear at what temperatures, and hang it up in the bathroom so that when I'm standing there bleary-eyed trying to get dressed I know what to put on. It really works for me. I hate being too hot almost more than being too cold.

[redrhodie]

I'm still here! It's only just barely cold enough for long sleeves, but I plan to ride all winter. Dec is usually the hard month because of shows, so I'm not in studio much, but other than that, I'll be on the bike as much as possible.

[Thorn]

I've been commuting since March (changed jobs just so I could bike commute).

I intend to keep going. I've commuted through winter before, but I was so much younger then. My commute was only about 5 miles. My current commute takes a little over an hour each way. On the one hand, I'm riding long enough to warm up; on the other hand, will it grow to be too long once the snow hits and it gets really cold? Time will tell.

I like the idea of LPH's matrix. I already know what needs to go on there...extra socks and shorts if I ride in the rain. There is nothing worse than getting ready to ride back home in the rain and putting on wet socks. Wool or not....wet socks just drops the motivation.

My problem right now is that I'm in denial. I ride into work at 5AM. We've had a couple of nights near freezing and there is this stubborn thought in my head, "No, I won't wear tights. It isn't winter yet." Stupid. 36F and rain is not knickers weather!

[WindingRoad]

I'm still commuting too. The weather has just started to get cold-ish still pretty nice though. I could do without the wind advisories lately. As of today the rain has been solid, fortunately I am off for the two rainiest days this week. I have been piling on the miles. Been averaging well over 100 miles a week. I always notice when it gets cooler I get soooooooo hungry! As some may remember I recently built up a new commuter bike and I love it so much! Sure makes my 40 mile round trip commute a whole lot nicer :-)

[Tri Girl]

I'm here and commuting. Like others, it's just started getting chilly in the morning. I've worn a light wool sweater under my light hi-viz jacket a couple times and it's been fine. I only have a 20 minute commute, so I've been doing it in my work clothes. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be in the 30's so I guess it's time to break out the winter gear. I hate having to change clothes at work, tho. I'd so much rather just ride to work in my work clothes- I'm lazy. :p

My goal is to commute all winter long. I may have to walk sometimes when the snow is too high or there is too much ice, but I don't want to drive. I hope I can stick with it (I'm a self-admitted winter weenie).

Keep it up, ladies!!!

[tzvia]

Yep, still commuting. I only stop if it is raining, as I don't have fenders, or a shower at work to wash off the gutter muck.

This morning was very foggy and I got to work quite damp. Made it hard to see, between the fog and the water on my glasses. I love this time of year. I am not sweaty when I arrive at work, I am not roasting going home and it is not really cold either.

[malkin]

I'm on a little break from commuting while I wait for my immune system to deal with some respiratory issues, but I'll be back when my lungs and sinuses are happy again!

(I'm only guessing that they are unhappy because I assume that they do not like fluorescent green.)

[Biciclista]

I commute at least once a week all year. Have done this for about a year and a half now!
Rode today, it was 43 degrees and foggy in the morning and my glasses kept fogging up

[soprano]

After a horribly hot summer here in Texas we're just now hitting reasonably nice weather. (Only 89 degrees tomorrow!) I don't feel like a fall/winter commuter. That sounds hard. This is the easy time of year!

I'm always in awe of those of you who ride long distances through cold rain.

[radacrider]

I'll be riding through fall and winter, which in January will be a full year of full-time commuting.

[pfunk12]

I commute every day so count me in for the fall/winter commuting thread.

[7rider]

I commute at least once a week all year.

This.
Unless on travel, vacation, or the road out of my 'hood is impassible to bikes due to snow and ice.

[TsPoet]

I've been sick all summer (pneumonia then this then that...), but finally feeling better. I bought a velomobile to assist me in commuting all winter long.
It is hovering around 40 here, and the sun comes up after 7 and down around 6 - this will extend to a sunrise around 8 am and sundown before 5.
But, I'm ready willing and able - tomorrow I will commute in to work, so i can get a few days in before the stupid time change.
Oh, how I wish that would be stopped, here in WA state its just stupid and doesn't do anything to help school kids.

[skhill]

Yet again this year, I've pulled out warm gloves and hats and the like and wished I'd done a better job of cleaning them before putting them away.

Our local weather forecasts have been off this week; twice now I've gotten soaked by rain that shouldn't have been falling. I don't mind drizzle, but downpours are something else entirely...

[radacrider]

.....the stupid time change.

Oh, how I wish that would be stopped, here in WA state its just stupid and doesn't do anything to help school kids.

+1 for sure!

[carlotta]

I rode this morning, the second colder commute of the year (35 on Friday, right around 32F this morning) and I'm pretty happy with my memory of what to wear when.....wool base-layer + light jacket, shorts + knee warmers + non-cycling capris (stylin', but functional...), wool buff under the helmet and my lighter full gloves. Toes were cold, I have new shoes since last winter and they're much more ventilated.......not cold enough for full booties yet so I may have to pick up some toe covers.

I rode most of the winter last year, hoping to get a few more days this year but I'm teaching at 8am a couple days a week which may result in train days--it's an hour commute in good weather and I'm not sure I'm willing/able to leave earlier if road conditions are less than ideal...

[Melalvai]

I sort of dread the first snow because I know I'll be so tired of it before the winter is over. But at the same time I look forward to it because it's a lot of fun for a while. Nonetheless I was relieved when today's prediction changed from snow to rain. It was a cold rain so I still got out the full gear. Except for the hole in my shoe, I stayed dry and warm!

[Tri Girl]

brrrr... first cold commute of the season. It was about 27F when I left home. I found the warmest wool coat (fashionable, too) a the Goodwill and I've been wearing that the last couple weeks. It was super warm, and my torso was just fine. Toes were good and hands were fine except for my thumbs which froze. I'm in the process of making myself some mittens and will double-reinforce the thumbs with extra wool insulation. For some reason my thumbs get so blasted cold while the rest of my digits remain toasty. Go figure. ;)

[WindingRoad]

The weather here is yuk this week, low 30's to 40's with rain every time I look out the window. I really don't enjoy this kind of weather. I wish it would just go ahead and get cold. Snow is atleast rideable given it's not up to my hubs. I hear you all on daylight savings (wasting?), I am always charging up my headlight these days. I still hate driving to the gym when I can get m workout just by riding to work/school.

[ridebikeme]

I've had a few cool mornings, but considering the time of year that it is... well it has been fairly mild so far. We'll have rain coming in within the next couple of the studded tires... bu today when I rode home from work (5:30PM) it was 48! So, no complaints here... simply glad to be out and riding!:D



http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Tri Girl]

today was my coldest commute so far this year. It was 21 degrees (F). My upper body was fine (wool coat, wool sweater- and my homemade wool mittens) and even my legs were OK with tights and cycling tights over them- but my toes... boy howdy they got cold. Of course I was only wearing my ballet flats with a thin pair of socks, but still. My ride is only 15 min, but my toesies were frozen by the time I got to work. I guess I need to bust out the winter cycling shoes and quit riding in my cute work shoes. ;)
I got to ride through ice-topped puddles, over crunchy piles of leaves, and ride by houses with fires in their fireplaces on the way to work. Took the long way home in the afternoon for an extra 8.5 miles of pure bliss. :)
Pedal On!

[eofelis]

My job is 4.5 miles away and I'm basically a year round bike commuter with 2 dedicated commuting bikes. Both are Novara Randonee frames from the 1990s. They made XS size ones back then that took 26" wheels. One is set up with flat bars and thumb shifters, and the other has drop bars and 9sp STIs.

Both have front/rear racks and fenders. The flat bar bike is mainly the winter rider, thumb shifters easy to use with heavy gloves. I rode the drop bar bike all summer.

I've had my winter gear out for the past month. Today was my coldest morning, 21F. I bundled up and was cold at first, but at my 2 mile mark I was pretty warmed up. By the time I got to work it was feeling balmy out. My route is "flat" but there are slight uphills that are only noticeable on a bike. Those warm me up.

My ride route home is slightly longer so I can ride up a 1/2 mile long hill. Then I ride through a few rolling subdivisions. Some houses have their xmas lights up. One subdv I ride through decorates heavily for xmas. In the past week there have been a few more lights up every evening.

Last year I rode most of the winter, except for about 4 weeks total when it was too cold (<15F) or snowy/icy. It's generally fairly dry here, not much snow.

[Crankin]

Tri Girl, you can get frostbite in just a few minutes at those temperatures. Your feet (and other extremities) should be toasty warm. Wool socks and chemical warmers, even if you don't wear cycling shoes, hiking boots, etc.

[Melalvai]

I am fondly remembering that 107F bike ride in Phoenix back in September. Frost on the ground today. It seems too early in the year for long johns and the wool undershirt already, but it's probably about the same as last year.

I keep telling myself I should just walk, it's close enough and I'd be more comfortable. But I just don't want to take the time. At some point I guess it'll take as long to suit up for biking as it does to walk, and then I'll walk!

[Melalvai]

This morning a facebook friend, Melissa, posted that she saw a woman trying to ride in the new fallen snow and it was pretty funny.

I had chosen to walk today, because I knew it would be slippery on a bike.

Melissa's friend Heather replied, "Was it the lady with the yellow coat who doesn't use the gears on her bike, peddling (sic) super fast but going no where? She was out in a terrible rain storm- grinning."

I don't know Heather but that description fits me to a T! Since I didn't bike today, the woman Melissa saw was not the woman Heather was talking about. :D

(I do use gears. I use low gears. I can get anywhere without breaking a sweat!)

[colby]

I have been bike commuting every day I can when I'm in Austin (about half my time right now), which ends up being about 9 days out of 10, plus biking everywhere else we go within 5 miles. I was home in eastern WA for 2 weeks around Thanksgiving (with a weekend in Seattle), and it was in the 40s, down into the 30s, maybe 15-20 on the clearest mornings/nights. There were some clear, dry days long after the last snow melted where I thought, boy, I could ride to work today, but then decided it was too cold to ride, or I had my dog, or whatever. Excuses! I do go out and run all winter, too, so the weather is the lamest excuse of all until the snow hits and biking is much more difficult.

I got back to Austin this week, which is in an unseasonably cold weather pattern this week with, of course, temps in the 40s, down into the 30s, and may crack upper 20s in the clearest mornings/nights (currently 28). Over the weekend it had rained, which made Monday's commute at 40 degrees seem colder than it should. I put on my arm warmers and toughed it out - I didn't bring any winter gear because, well, I figured I could tough it out or drive on the odd cold day. The return trip home was chilly, something like 39 degrees, overcast, and there's a long downhill section before I'm warm that makes me suffer.

Today... 33 degrees and overcast when I was leaving for work. By some happy accident I had forgotten to unpack my baselayers from my suitcase when we went to Seattle (I ran a half marathon while I was there) - ironically I didn't even wear them there. It made the ride so much more bearable. Still, cold fingers. I may have to break down and get full fingered gloves for the commute home on the sub-40 degree evenings. Downhill into the wind for a few minutes just sucks the warm out of me.

So, now I feel like a total terd for not riding to work when I was in the northwest. I think it's nature's way of proving that to me. "See, if you WANTED to do it, you COULD." ;) Tomorrow will be a cold morning and probably a cold evening, but the sun will be back, which makes a big difference in the mornings.

We have sun from about 7am to 5:30pm, but I usually leave work in the dark after 6 - the worst traffic of my ride is right at the beginning and I'd rather leave a little later to avoid it, it also helps at the point I have to cross 3 car lanes into a left hand turn. My route is half on frontage roads with one highway crossing, and the rest on bike lane/bikeway. I have been knocked over by a car advancing to make an illegal right turn over a bikeway crosswalk once, but since then no car issues. I try to be a super-predictable cyclist, though, and Austin is a pretty bike-aware place.

Speaking of clothes, I bought a couple of skorts and shirts to see if I can avoid the change when the weather's not so hot that I get too sweaty and gross or cold that I have to wear real layers.

Austin's not much of a wintry place (to me - I know this is Defcon "SubZero Parka" to locals), but I do hope to ride every day through the winter. I do need to prepare for rain, though, so I'm definitely going to bring back my bike clothes that are more rain/wind appropriate.

There are people that I work with (software company) that try to bike commute regularly. I have probably talked to every single one of them, word spread fast ;)

[soprano]

I'm in Austin, and I took the train Monday because of the wind and rain forecast. I'm good with cold and wind, but I don't own the rain gear. So, of course, it didn't rain at all that day.

My thermometer said 24 when I left this morning - pretty early freeze for us. Any colder and I think I'll switch to hiking boots.

[Tri Girl]

I haven't biked the last two days. Temps in low double digits, wind chill in single digits. Just too cold- even all bundled up. Gotta be careful of frostbite. Will ride again tomorrow since it's supposed to be in the 20's in the morning.

I hate when it's this cold and I don't ride and co-workers will say all sarcastically "soooooo... did you ride TODAY??" (knowing it's far too cold to ride). Makes me want to say something smart-alec-y- but I can't think of anything. I just say something to the effect that no, but I've biked every day the last 2 months. I wish I were better at sassing people. ;)

[Thorn]

I'm still riding every day. So far we've managed to avoid snow so I'm still on my road bike. When the snow hits, I'll lose the MUP and will switch to the mountain bike with studs. We'll see, then, if I can keep it up.

Except for my toes, I'm keeping warm. Of course, I have a secret weapon -- hot flashes. Nothing like a well-timed hot flash to take away the wind chill. Now, if only I could learn to package all of the day's hot flashes and play them in my morning commute....

[Antaresia]

I'm still figuring clothing out too, it doesn't help that when I step outside it's COLD but I warm up so quickly when I'm biking.

We've only had an icy roads once or twice so far, Vancouver winters are usually mild. This is my first winter commute since I got my first bike in April, so I'm learning as I go.

I've never been bothered by public transit before, but now I would do ANYTHING to avoid it.

[Melalvai]

Except for my toes, I'm keeping warm. Of course, I have a secret weapon -- hot flashes. Nothing like a well-timed hot flash to take away the wind chill. Now, if only I could learn to package all of the day's hot flashes and play them in my morning commute....
You could sell them. I'd buy! :D

I didn't ride Monday because the newly fallen snow was slick. Yesterday I walked because I thought I'd be more comfortable. Today I didn't want to take the time to walk. Plus last night I went to a presentation "Beating the Biking Brrrr". I didn't think there would be much for me to learn there, I went because I'm part of the biking community here and I was partly responsible for the fact that the presentation happened (by which I mean, I suggested it and someone else did all the work to make it happen--nice!) It is true I didn't learn much, but I did feel inspired and less crazy for wanting to bike in the winter.

The "You must be crazy!" is fun at first but it does get old. It's so nice to talk to someone who understands. That's why I hang out on TE!

[lph]

Arg. Winter just landed. Snow yesterday, not enormous amounts, but enough to need studded tires and to make it seriously crappy going where the snowplow hasn't been. It took me an hour today to ride 10 miles home. Bleah.

And it's now 17 to 19 F, which means 20 minutes getting dressed in the morning and unwilling gears. Sigh.

[WindingRoad]

I haven't biked the last two days. Temps in low double digits, wind chill in single digits. Just too cold- even all bundled up. Gotta be careful of frostbite. Will ride again tomorrow since it's supposed to be in the 20's in the morning.

I hate when it's this cold and I don't ride and co-workers will say all sarcastically "soooooo... did you ride TODAY??" (knowing it's far too cold to ride). Makes me want to say something smart-alec-y- but I can't think of anything. I just say something to the effect that no, but I've biked every day the last 2 months. I wish I were better at sassing people. ;)

Tri you should say "No today I was taking it easy so I ran."

[Tri Girl]

Tri you should say "No today I was taking it easy so I ran."

See? Now THAT'S clever!! Gonna have to use that one next time.

I did ride today, tho. And then I took the long way home and went an extra 15 miles. It was so beautiful this afternoon (40's and sunny with light wind). Gotta take advantage of those nice days outside when I can!

[radacrider]

We have had cold, foggy morning days, but they have been dry. Just have to watch the frost in the mornings. Continue to daily commute and am enjoying riding without the rain, since I know we will be getting that sometime.

Cold, sunny days are quite pretty, though.

Oh, for my first year of full time bike commuting I'll be able to get a bit over 3000 miles!

Stay warm and be safe everyone!

[ridebikeme]

My commute is short, but can be very slick. yesterdays commute was riding on roads where it had rained all day and at 5:00Am it turned to snow. Although the snow didn't accumulate a whole lot, the roads didn't get plowed and it turned to ice quickly with tire tracks frozen in the mix. At any rate, it was nice to be out, although perhaps time to put on the studded tires.:cool:




http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Melalvai]

Snow on the ground today, I wasn't sure how it would be for biking. I took it slow and easy, and I didn't have any problems. Sure wish I had snow tires or snow chains on that bicycle.

[Thorn]

Temperatures are dropping here. Today I implemented the LPH Nose Buff (don't know what to call it, but I'm pretty sure it was on lph's avatar pic for quite some time). Worked really well (thanks lph!).

So I'm still holding and still riding to and from work. Looking forward to going for another week. One week at a time....

[lph]

Temperatures are dropping here. Today I implemented the LPH Nose Buff (don't know what to call it, but I'm pretty sure it was on lph's avatar pic for quite some time). Worked really well (thanks lph!).

Ooo, you're making me proud! :D

I've already worn it once this winter, and it does work.

[WindingRoad]

18 degrees today for my 20 mile commute. It was pretty dang nippy. Tried out my new shoes, it was better but still I got darn cold toward the end :-(

[Catrin]

18 degrees today for my 20 mile commute. It was pretty dang nippy. Tried out my new shoes, it was better but still I got darn cold toward the end :-(

Awesome that you rode this morning, I wondered if you would. Did you try chemical warmers with the new shoes?

[kcmpls]

I've been biking this winter and so far so good. I have an old mountain bike, converted to a single speed, with a studded tire in front and a regular mountain bike tire in back. I've been biking from my house to Minneapolis, about 3.5 miles, then putting my bike on the bus and busing to St. Paul. It has been working pretty well.

But now it has rained and it is warm, so I'm going to look silly with my studded tire and balaclava tomorrow. I wish it would just snow and stick.

[7rider]

For the second time in 2 commutes, I've had a cyclist/commuter come up behind me, pass me, and remark about how visible I was as we rode in the dark.

I think I take lighting to a ridiculous degree. I have a road worker's day-glow reflective vest on over my winter jacket. I have a headlight, a flashing light on the back - and front - of my helmet, a light on my rack, and a light hanging from my pannier. That's 3 tail lights and 2 headlights. I have reflective trim or tape on the pannier itself, on the rack, on the rear fender, and on various spots on the frame and wheels.

So a guy came up and passed me on the MUT tonight and said "Wow. No one can ever say they didn't see you!"
"Good," I replied. "Then I know it's working, cuz that's my intent."
I also know it's working when car after car crosses the double line to give me w-i-d-e berth when passing me on the road.

[Melalvai]

So a guy came up and passed me on the MUT tonight and said "Wow. No one can ever say they didn't see you!"
And if you were to get hit in spite of your excellent lights, the insurance company would be much more likely to cough up without a fight. If they did put up a fight, your lights would be a major point in your favor.

Sadly that is something we have to think about. That's another reason I stop at every single stop sign and light: to establish a pattern of behavior that can't be questioned. And signaling. Etc.

It was so warm today! It was in the 50's I think. There was a thunderstorm in the middle of the night. It was raining when I left. My overshoes, which never worked that well anyway, won't go over my new shoes. I tried grocery sacks. It worked fine on my left foot. The one on the right foot got caught in the gears.

I'll have to ask my husband to save a bread sack (I eat my own homemade bread, he sometimes eats store bought bread), to use on my right foot. That might work better.

[WindingRoad]

7rider - I think that is awesome you have such good lighting! I actually think most drivers appreciate a degree of overkill to be honest because they just aren't expecting to see cyclists and we are easy to miss when it comes right down to it. I have a tail light on my rack, one clips on my bag and another is on the back of my helmet. I just finished the 'detailing' the other day with reflective tape strategically placed for better side visibility. I also have a 600 lumen head light, in fact sometimes I have TWO of those. Since it is the Christmas Season I added some battery powered LED lights for good measure. Driver's reactions to a bike covered in Christmas lights is absolutely priceless :D:D:D

[Melalvai]

Last night I discovered yet another perk of having lots of lights. I've been riding without my downlow glow for a while because I need to replace the battery. Last night my headlamp quit working. Two lights down...and I still have monkey lights, front reelight, back reelight, and back blinkie.

The headlamp was an easy fix, I just had to fiddle with the part that plugs in. Sometimes it gets finicky in the rain. But I do need to get the downlow glow taken care of! And my back blinkie is not much of a blinkie, the bit that covers the light bulb fell off so I think it's less effective. Having a surplus of lights only works if you keep them all in good repair, so when one or two do go out you still have lots left.

The bright yellow raincoat with reflective piping sure doesn't hurt anything either.

[7rider]

The bright yellow raincoat with reflective piping sure doesn't hurt anything either.

(not that this applies to you...but it made me think of this)
Good:
Saw a guy the other day riding while wearing a bright yellow jacket with reflective piping.

Bad:
But he had a black backpack on his back, which blocked most of the jacket.

Good:
The pack had a little reflective triangle on it and he had a flashing helmet light.

Bad:
He was on a road bike so hunched over so the triangle pointed straight up into the air. Not exactly visible. And the backpack obscured the tiny red flasher he had on the back of his helmet.

Lesson:
Go for a ride in your neighborhood after dark with a friend or spouse and a car. Have friend or other drive behind you and make sure your doo-dads actually do what you intend them to do (i.e., make you visible).

[Melalvai]

Lesson:
Go for a ride in your neighborhood after dark with a friend or spouse and a car. Have friend or other drive behind you and make sure your doo-dads actually do what you intend them to do (i.e., make you visible).

That's a great point! After I got my downlow glow I tried to get my husband to drive around the block while I was riding around it and tell me how visible I was. He never got around to it, but some friends commented that they'd seen me biking at night and I was super visible.

Today's commute: I got studded tires last Sunday, and all week it's been too warm for ice. Today is cold, lower 20's. It's dry, but there was a little ice at the edges of the road. If I swerved, I could manage to hit a patch of ice here and there. So I did. :D

But I can't wait for real snow & ice to try out the tires!

[CareBhaer]

It was 28F when I rode in, and now it's 54F. I hate this time of year because I have to wear long underwear and thick gloves in the morning and then bring lighter gloves and tights for my ride home.

I am enjoying not using my studded tires yet though - it's been a warm, drier winter so far.

[ridebikeme]

We've had a fairly mild fall as well, although the commute today was pretty cold. It was 7 degrees out when I left this morning, so definitely quite the shock! Although it's supposed to be like this here in Maine in December:p I will admit though that I'm enjoying not riding with my studded tires yet.:D

Happy holidays everyone!


http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Anelia]

It rained yesterday and I got wet 3 times during the day. It didn't bother me but today I decided to have a walk just because I realized that I am just like those people who do not want to separate from their car but it's a bike instead. So, 2 or 3 times per month, I take a walk: either to work (it's brisk walk though) or just around town.
On my way to work today I also realized that I have 10 minutes left so I decided to climb 1300 steps as a fasted cardio. There is a monument on a plateau near the town where I live and it is very convenient and lots of people climb the steps every morning for a workout. I think it's great.
So, no bike commuting today :)

[Melalvai]

today I decided to have a walk just because I realized that I am just like those people who do not want to separate from their car but it's a bike instead. So, 2 or 3 times per month, I take a walk: either to work (it's brisk walk though) or just around town.
I could easily walk when it's nasty out and I wouldn't even need my studded tires for the snow. But I'm so excited about the tires. It'll make it easier to have the option to walk or bike. Biking is so much faster, if I want to do a quick errand, or I have several stops around town on my way to work.

Walking is healthier exercise (weight-bearing), and even more details to observe along the way. Like the way the funny tree looks like the left branch ends in a fist and the other branch is pointing a finger straight up into the sky. The very old siamese cat. The three dogs who always bark, one of them jumps up on the doghouse to see me better.

[7rider]

Last bike commute of 2011 today. :(
And the county, in it's infinite wisdom [sic], decided to re-ramp all the intersections at the sidewalk for this one 1/3 mile section where I have to be on the sidewalk (6-lane road with no shoulder and motorists routinely exceeding the 45-mph speed limit by a good 10-15 mph). Now, they just did this exact thing about 3 years ago, so not sure what changed that they needed to go back and do it again. No one's budget allows for busy work, so I don't know what the deal is. Anyway, I always find it ironic - and frustrating - that in the midst of their construction project to make the sidewalks "more accesible" or more ADA compliant perhaps, they never seem to make accommodations for those groups during the work. I had to mtb with my commuter and dismount and walk my bike in traffic around their barriers twice. If I were in a wheelchair, or even on crutches, it would have been impossible for me to get around.
Oh well. I wonder if they will sweep up all the gravel that spilled on that stretch back in September. Doubt it.

I'll be back in January!

[carlotta]

I've been pretty good about commuting 3+ times/week, but except for a day here and there, it doesn't feel like I've been "winter" commuting. Yeah, I have to make sure I've got all my lights, a hat and probably knee warmers, but it was 51 the other day when I left home (at 6am) and will be close to 60 this afternoon. I'm not complaining, but it's weird and the pessimist in me thinks we'll pay for this weather with months of snow/ice/wind/crap after the first of the year...

I like the christmas light idea, I had a couple battery-powered sets and I'll have to see if I can find them for the next couple days :)

[Melalvai]

Anyway, I always find it ironic - and frustrating - that in the midst of their construction project to make the sidewalks "more accesible" or more ADA compliant perhaps, they never seem to make accommodations for those groups during the work.
I read something, I don't remember which state is doing this, they do make accommodations during construction. That is definitely something to push for in all 50 states. And other countries too.

I wonder if they will sweep up all the gravel that spilled on that stretch back in September.
That would be worth asking for specifically. Sounds like this might be a state highway project, if they have a state DOT bike/ped coordinator talk to them, or maybe the project director if you can figure out who that is.

[Anelia]

This happened to me recently: they closed the whole street and I had to go around to another street where the ascent is over 15% (I'm not exaggerating) and it's cobbled. I ride mt bike so I switched to the lowest gears and I still panted at the top.
Today the sidewalk near my home was frozen and I was happy that I rode my husband's bike with 2,35 inches Maxxis Minion tires (they are for downhill): I didn't push the brakes and I didn't slip, I felt secure even on the ice. :cool:
My route to work is about 2 miles but on the way back I chose to ride some more so I went out of town, climed our plateau: about 10 miles. The downhill was cold and windy but I had to go back :)

[Anelia]

You can watch me on the news: It's at the end, aout 1 minute of the vudeo (http://bnt.bg/bg/news/view/66610/jylt_kod_e_objaven_v_osem_oblasti). It was the last working day for me in December and the news is about the heavy winter road conditions :D

[radacrider]

Nice, Anelia!!!!

[Melalvai]

Very cool! Didn't understand a word of it but I like listening to different languages just for the sound. :)

[tzvia]

Oh man Anelia that looks COLD.

Our 'cold snap' here in So California is when it dips into the upper 30s, F at night. A long sleeve cycling jersey, with a cycling jacket, winter gloves and a balaclava just about takes care of it. Once, last month, I also wore sweat pants over my pants, to keep my knees warm.

Last week and today, temperatures only dipped into the upper 40s at night and have been in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day (should be 84f today). Yea, winter can be really brutal here in Los Angeles county... :D

My big issue is the construction. I can't stand those metal plates that they put over the work holes in the street. They get wet and slippery, and those small rocks and paving pebbles are like marbles. Got so bad I treated myself to a new commuter that can take 35c tires and fenders. It feels so good not to have your teeth rattled loose.

[7rider]

Good thing I brought my spare battery today. My headlight blinked out 1/3 of the way home. I almost didn't realize it, as my new Vis-360 on my helmet is actually brighter than my Knog headlight. And allegedly the Knog has a higher lumen rating. Huh. But, I pulled off the road, swapped out the battery and was soon on my way with both lights blazing.

[Melalvai]

Good thing I brought my spare battery today. My headlight blinked out 1/3 of the way home. I almost didn't realize it, as my new Vis-360 on my helmet is actually brighter than my Knog headlight.
Such a GOOD feeling when preparations and backups save your butt! You had the spare battery AND additional lighting.

Now get a new spare battery (or recharge the other one, whatever it is you do), before you forget.

[7rider]

Such a GOOD feeling when preparations and backups save your butt! You had the spare battery AND additional lighting.


Borne of experience, I'm afraid. :(
I once before had my headlight blink out on a ride home. No spare battery. No helmet light. Almost full dark. Was a freaky ride home.

I learned to be better about re-charging on a regular basis. Except this week. :o

Spare Li-ion battery now fully recharged and stashed back in my pannier. ;)

[Melalvai]

Snow is on its way!
But it's only supposed to last a day or so. I might have to go out of my way or bike at a strange time of day, to get my studded tires on actual ice.

Maybe I should pour buckets of water on the driveway when it gets below freezing...my family might not appreciate that. :D

[Melalvai]

I got to use my studded tires finally. For FIVE WEEKS after I bought them we didn't get a flake of snow! I was starting to think they worked by magically preventing snow...like my rain gear (for several months after I bought it, it was never raining when I was riding my bike).

This week we got snow and I got to use them. It was so much fun! The first day, I felt like all the motorists who saw me were looking at me with envy, thinking, "I wish I were on that bicycle"! To paraphrase Queen: "You want to ride my bicycle/ you want to ride my bike" :)

I had heard they aren't as good on packed snow as on ice or regular snow. I guess that's true but they are still really good on packed snow. They don't completely prevent all the slipping & sliding, but it's maybe 90% better. When I'd ride in this stuff on regular tires, I spent a lot of time with one foot off the pedals ready to touch ground.

And they are really great on hard ice and on snow that's not packed. On those surfaces I'm as stable as if on pavement.

Another thing that delighted me is that even starting on a slight incline I always had traction. I remember on regular tires having to try several times to get started because my rear wheel would just spin out.

Yeah, I could walk the 1.5 miles when it's like this, but it's SO much fun to bike with studded tires! Actually it was really nice to have my bike the last couple days, because they ended up being really long, busy days, and it was nice to get home in just a few minutes.

[lph]

Yeah, I could walk the 1.5 miles when it's like this, but it's SO much fun to bike with studded tires!

Yay! :D

I hate putting them on, but once I'm used to the slower pace I get such a kick out of the mobility.

Which ones did you get? I've tried ones with fewer studs, but ended up going back to Nokian Extremes.

[ridebikeme]

Nokian extremes here as well. :) I have used others with fewer studs, but found that often times I wasn't making contact with the ground. Our roads here are slightly beveled to shed snow/water to the sides. Unfortunately, some roads seem to have more angle than others, so having more studs in the tire seems to work better for me.

Although my commute isn't very far,; it's funny to see the motorists looking in "shock.":eek:



http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Melalvai]

Schwalbe marathon winters.
I watched the bike shop mechanic putting the tire on and decided right then that I'll pay someone to put them on and take them off at the beginning and end of every winter because I don't want to!

[Tri Girl]

I rode today. It was 17 degrees when I left, wind chill around 10. I got too hot, tho, because I had on two wool sweaters, my wool coat and my ultra thick mittens and scarf. Had to undo the jacket halfway there. ;)
I only have a 2.5 mile commute. I sometimes wonder if drivers think I'm a homeless person (there are more of them riding bikes in my city than bike commuters).

[Thorn]

Two new milestones in a week -- snow and single digit temperatures (NOAA said I left home this morning at -0F -- which we all know is colder than +0F :)

So far I can put up with the cold, but I'm still trying to come to terms with the snow. I'm getting a bit more comfortable riding in the stuff, but I'll still probably work at home during the next storm -- one step at a time.

Tires -- the bike shop sold me Kenda Klondikes because they couldn't source Nokian or Schwalbe. Big, heavy beasts. I swapped out to Schwalbe Marathon Winters I ordered online. Much, much less rolling resistance and on the old snow that's one street, just as effective.

And, Melalvai...yes, mounting the Schwalbe was *tough*...but worth it.

[7rider]

Was 21 F (-6C) this morning for my ride in.
Had to break out the AmFibs (http://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=47&product_id=1578594&outlet=) for the ride. Fingers were a bit cold, but otherwise was fine. This has been a pretty mild winter so far, and I think this was my coldest ride in this season. Of course, if it gets up to the mid-40s (7) for the ride home, I'll be sweating buckets with those tights. :rolleyes: At least I can leave a top layer in the pannier.

Got mad props from the ladies in the gym and my coworkers, tho.

[kmehrzad]

I rode today. It was 17 degrees when I left, wind chill around 10. I got too hot, tho, because I had on two wool sweaters, my wool coat and my ultra thick mittens and scarf. Had to undo the jacket halfway there. ;)
I only have a 2.5 mile commute. I sometimes wonder if drivers think I'm a homeless person (there are more of them riding bikes in my city than bike commuters).

LOL, and with all the clothing you were wearing, drivers might think you were wearing all the clothing you owned. Not to knock what you were wearing, I'd need much more than that to keep my body warm. I don't tolerate cold well at all.

[Melalvai]

Beautiful snow and it was almost as warm as it could possibly be and still be snowing. The snow was coming down thick so it was this lovely blanket and even where cars had passed it was like mine were the first tracks there. My studded tires are wonderful. I really enjoyed biking this morning.

[carlotta]

I haven't really been posting since it hardly feels like we've had winter (and I haven't had any excitement or anything out of the ordinary), but I had my annual love/hate realization that spring is coming this morning.....

Love: light jacket, light gloves, shorts+knee warmers for the ride in so I don't have to haul the heavy gloves/shoe covers/full tights in the pannier on the ride home because the temperature shifts. Not having the water bottle freeze. Spending less time getting ready to ride and more time riding. Having more commuters and people out for rides in the mornings, especially the faster ones to give me something to chase :)

Hate: headphone-wearers/clueless joggers/runners/dog walkers/stroller-pushers/rollerbladers/cyclists/etc that will populate my main route home until it gets chilly next fall (and on rainy days in the summer, I love those for chasing the fair-weather trail users away :).

All complicated by the closure of a piece of important connector trail for the next few months...I don't mind (and often use) the alternative road route, but pushing all the trail traffic onto streets without bike lanes/shoulders gets interesting...especially when I can tell they don't ride on the road much and weave in/out of parked cars, pass on the right of turning traffic (including a school bus...), etc. I can get from home to work with 2-3 miles of residential streets and 8 of trail, and there are a LOT of people who make a similar commute in the spring/summer/fall that are currently pushed into being road users for an extra 2 miles of major roads...

Hrm. That got long and kind of crotchety-sounding (get off my trail!!), not really the intent, just things I think about while I'm heading in and I guess I felt the need to get off my chest :)

[redrhodie]

Carlotta, I feel that way too. And another thing, I like winter for the lack of roadies; yeah, my own peeps. It's so nice not getting passed for weeks at a time. When you see one out in winter, it's like seeing a rare bird of your own flock. In spring, they're like seagulls.

[Blueberry]

In spring, they're like seagulls.

MIIINE MIIIINE MIIIINE MIIINE

(sorry, I couldn't resist - Nemo reference)

[Melalvai]

carlotta, I'm a little envious of your fair weather traffic congestion. We don't have enough bike/ped traffic around here to get congested even in fair weather. :( But I am working on changing that!

This afternoon I rode with my daughter to her clarinet lesson, just for the heck of it, because it was nice. I left her there and came back home. At the stop light, I saw a driver across the street edge forward more and more with her left turn light blinking and I thought "She's going to try to get her left turn made before I get very far into the intersection". The light turned green and, still watching her, I went, prepared to stop on a dime if she pulled out in front of me. She really wanted to, I could tell, but she saw that she would hit me (if I didn't stop which I would have) and she waited.

Right behind me was an SUV and she had to wait for him too. But he was impatient behind me, and couldn't pass me until we'd gotten past the line of cars going the opposite direction waiting to get through the intersection (waiting on the left turner who had had to wait on us). As soon as we were past he roared around me.

Seems like there were a lot of impatient people on the road today!

Since I was basically just riding to enjoy the weather, I felt very smug & superior to them. :D