Very cold winter cycling: small victories

[shootingstar]

Every bike ride from now, with snow /ice off and on, melting and freezing with some dry patches, feels like a small victory. :rolleyes:

Just cycled into work..only 4 kms. folks in -17 degrees C (or 1 degree F) in the dark. By the time, I got into work which was only 20 min. (I was going slow and I had to walk 3 metres over ice near my front door.), my bag of clothing inside my pannier, felt cool when I changed into my business clothing.

Calgary is 51 degrees latitude. (But, yes Norway is further north.. :)). We are 170 km. south of Banff /Canadian Rocky Mountains.
The Canada-U.S. border is 49 degrees latitude. (Well, generally speaking. It varies all over the place across the continent.)

Today I wore:
Lobster claw gloves (though I carried a lighter pair when I ride back home in afternoon when it is warmer).
Lycra (with cotton) tights...No chamois
Long sleeved cycling jersey
Clear glasses (always, the cold seems to protect them slightly. My eyes tear abit in such cold.)
Heavy close-fitting fleecy jacket
Outdoor spring cycling jacket (with some water resistance)
Light headband over ears
Helmet
Mountain bike cycling shoes
Socks


There were a few people jogging in the dark. (Now I think they are tougher than me..)
This is the type of cycling I do in winter, short functional rides..but believe me, it does help keep minimal fitness. YOu will notice it in the spring.

But last 2 days I didn't cycle because of snow piles and freezing sheets of ice. I really need to cycle now 'cause I will be flying to Ontario and will not be cycling.

[Catrin]

Shootingstar, I bow at your awesomeness! I am also shocked you have that kind of weather in early November - though it doesn't sound like that is unusual for you. I've cold-air induced asthma so I freely admit to being a cold-air wimp when it comes to riding but still - 1F?!?!?!? :eek: You indeed rock!

[shootingstar]

Today's morning temperature...is a normal, not very cold temp. in our region. WE have dry air, so the cold is not the same as more moist cold air. But still, yea, it's...cold.

Coldest I have cycled is -25 degrees C (-13 degrees F) several times. Those definitely are short rides. I can barely get my bike lock open without freezing my fingers. (I can't unlock a bike with lobster claw mittens.) At such cold temp. one does feel loss of 50-100 calories just from staying warm, never mind moving on bike!

We have a shorter growing season here, Catrin. Spring doesn't start until mid-late June.

[Wasp]

When I lived in Alberta I don't recall spring starting mid to late June. March/April and spring had arrived. The weather Alberta gets is somewhat wonky given that the chinook winds come over the mountains from the west bring dramatic weather changes often in short periods of time. Yes Calgary gets cold. Sometimes it's really really cold as in minus 38C, but it also can get mild temperatures mid winter.

[shootingstar]

March/April and spring had arrived

Most definitely I don't the impression people start putting out their flowers or expect things to sprout then at all. In speaking with locals here who I work with and have lived here for past 25 years or more, they are not starting their gardens until June. Otherwise it's too risky.

To me as an ex-Ontario and ex-Vancouverite, people in Calgary consider -15C to -5C as the norm, not too cold...for them. In Toronto,
-15 C is considered quite cold for Torontonians. But at least we get lots of sunshine. The warm chinook winds do melt the snow and help cyclists squeeze in cycling under safer conditiions for blocks of days during the winter. Then the snow, cold return again...

This is my benchmark on Calgary's spring: Bike to Work Day has been in the first 2 weeks in May or so. In my opinion, it's not a good time. It's still too cold to expect wannabe cyclists to come out in hordes. That's why I think this event has not grown in significant numbers.. There other factors also.
http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/bike-to-work-day-month-affirmation-in-3-canadian-cities/

[kajero]

The white stuff is now on the ground. I am not sure I want to ride the rest of the year. But I do have the proper weather clothing if I decide to change my mind. I just don't need to hit some ice, crash, and break my hand or ribs again!