At least my upper half stayed dry. I was really thankful my jacket hood fits nicely under my helmet!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
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At least my upper half stayed dry. I was really thankful my jacket hood fits nicely under my helmet!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Thanks for the compliments about my pack and stuff. It holds it all.
I bet you're not lying! Looks like you got the kitchen sink in there! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Voodoo Sally
You shame me. I must admit, if I had to lug that, I'd probably drive. :o
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.
Yes. But I want to know....are you running a single speed, or are you fixed?Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
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
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.
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.
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. :)
No-no. We just spend exorbitant amounts of money buying excellent bike clothes :D At least some of us do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
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.
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!
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!
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
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
Very nice moonrise tonight. High, thin clouds of an incoming front made for some pretty cool sights.
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!
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.
Cold. Very cold. 20°F
:D
Deb
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!
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 :)
Cycle to a presentation, then fitness ride- 18 kms. Today frost on ground in some areas but sun is shining brightly.
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.
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
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
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. :)
+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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ginny
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by MDHillSlug
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
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.
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...
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
Dang, I am impressed. I have one questions, how long is your commutes? Those are some low temps to ride very far in, IMO.
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.
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
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
ginny, you ROCK :D
What ski goggles do you use? Do you treat them with anything so they don't fog up?Quote:
Originally Posted by ginny
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.
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?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ginny