Fall and Winter Commuter Challenge!

[out_spokin']

We've made it halfway to the next equinox! Congrats to all you hard core northern hemisphere folks who've been riding in any way, shape or form into the winter months...

Fittingly this morning was my coldest ride of the year so far, 9F/-13C, calm and clear, full-on lights needed both ways.

I had my first epic commute of the season last Thursday - a bit of snow helped create a couple of accidents which made the bus portion a total parking lot, stop & go for over an hour, doubled the usual time. I was warned there were crazy winds but was so tired of sitting that I wasn't going to bail on the ride home -- steady hard headwind, with additional 25-30 mph gusts! I had to use my granny ring the second half of the ride, which was also double the usual time....gotta love those stubborn moments of wanting my goal enough to put up with the "wow, this really isn't fun right now" thoughts!

Peace to you all and happy holidays!

[bikerHen]

As of last Thursday I am so out of the commuting challenge. Wednesday/Thursday Spokane received almost 30" of snow, setting a new all time record for the amount of snow falling in a 24 hour period. While we are use to snow in these parts, it usually doesn't fall all at once. Spokane was almost shut down Thursday. We could only get to work with our 4 wheel drive Bronco and even that was a bit exciting. Now that the plows are catching up with the snow, the streets are all reduced by a lane or two. No room for me even if I wanted to give it a try. The temp is staying well below freezing, it was -2 yesterday morning. So none of the snow is melting anytime soon. In fact it's snowing right now. On the up side, we will definitly be having a white Christmas! bikerHen

[Grog]

I've been out too ever since it started snowing. I don't have anywhere to go to anyway.

back in the new year!

[out_spokin']

Reasons to love a winter commute part 67....So last night was a treat....a relatively balmy 33 degrees, and after getting to see a beautiful sunset on the bus I rode towards the pitch black silhouette of the mountains, watching first Jupiter and then the gorgeous crescent moon set behind them. If you don't happen to have mountains in the way, you'll get even more of a show, since Venus, the moon, Jupiter and even little Mercury are all getting closer together after sundown the next couple of nights in the southwest sky.

Oh and the other evening I crossed paths with a pair of foxes in their winter finery...life is good!

[Eden]

I'd forgotten about this thread... We've had some real winter weather around here for a change. I did a few snow rides on my cross bike. So long as is was packed snow it was OK.... the day it started to melt it was pretty hard going. That day I rode in, but ended up taking a shuttle bus downtown and riding up mostly on the sidewalk (thank you to all those who shoveled!).

[kfergos]

Anybody still commuting by bike? I was out of the saddle for a couple weeks on vacation -- who'd've thought Seattle would be as snowy as Boston? -- but I rode to work on Friday and I'm back to it as usual on Monday, snow, sleet, ice, or rain be darned! I trust I'm not the only crazy commuter still pushing pedals in January...

[Grog]

I wish I was, but all the side streets are covered in deep snow. (The snow is not picked up in Vancouver and we've had over 3 feet in the last few weeks, with no melting opportunities).

So for at least another week, no. I hate to write this, but I really hope it will rain. Hard.