Fall and Winter Commuter Challenge!

[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.

[Eden]

Our snow is all gone now, so I'm back on the commuter (was riding the cross bike in the snow). The time off the commuter gave me the chance to give it some new parts. Feels like a new bike with a new rear wheel, bottom bracket, and chain.

[ms pepperpot]

I'm still going (apart from 10 days off over the Christmas break) but the weather's not nearly as bad here. The first snow was this morning, but only a tiny smattering which was already melting by the time i was riding. There hasn't even been much rain this year - at least not at the times I've actually been riding - which is a bit of a blessing.

[Biciclista]

oh, darn. i bike commute? I forgot. I'll watch the weather this week.

[kfergos]

I had an icicle on my helmet when I got to work today! Also my entire upper body was encased in thin ice (it was kind of fun to move my arms and have it crinkle and break), the water droplets on my glasses froze (scary), and my bike had an icy coating. Fortunately the road didn't have a similar icy coating, that I could tell. I *heart* my studded tires.

Forecast for the rest of the day: Freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then rain, possibly mixed with sleet between 1pm and 3pm, then rain after 3pm. The freezing rain could be heavy at times. High near 35. Northeast wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Mmmmmm.

[keepclimbing]

I haven't been a part of the challenge, but it's been fun reading your posts. I commute year-end with few exceptions. Yesterday went like this:

It was 28 degrees when I rode the 3 miles to my office, but at least there wasn't ice like the day before. I had put on one too many layers and was too warm by the time I got there.

I had a 3 p.m. meeting about 12 miles away, so I'd planned my route carefully to get there promptly. I left my office at 1:45, rode to the bank to make a deposit, and then headed to the Metrolink station to catch a train part of the way. But after just a couple of blocks I ran over something sharp in an intersection and my front tire lost all its air. I pulled my bike onto the sidewalk and sat down on the cold concrete steps of the Basilica and began changing the tire. The temperature had warmed to 31 degrees with wind gusts at about 20 mph. I was able to change the tire quickly enough keeping one glove on. My pump wasn't getting a tight seal so I wasn't able to fill the tire as full as I would have liked. But I got back on my way and made it to the train station--just in time to see my train pull away. I waited 15 minutes for the next one.

The train ride took about 20 minutes. A man on the train wanted to know all of the details of my commuting patterns and made me feel proud of what I do--a feeling I needed given the difficulties I was having. Once off the train I got onto a trail for a brief mile. Then onto a busy westward road with a strong headwind for the last 4 miles. I arrived at my meeting 18 minutes late. My colleagues seemed to feel some mixture of irritation, admiration, and puzzlement. One clearly thinks I'm eccentric.

After the meeting, I rode 8 miles home on a very hilly road. It was dark and my toes were cold. I used plenty of lights and the cars were very respectful of my presence. The total commute of the day was just 16 miles, but I felt like I'd had a serious workout. I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Blueberry]

I had an icicle on my helmet when I got to work today! Also my entire upper body was encased in thin ice (it was kind of fun to move my arms and have it crinkle and break), the water droplets on my glasses froze (scary), and my bike had an icy coating. Fortunately the road didn't have a similar icy coating, that I could tell. I *heart* my studded tires.

Forecast for the rest of the day: Freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then rain, possibly mixed with sleet between 1pm and 3pm, then rain after 3pm. The freezing rain could be heavy at times. High near 35. Northeast wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Mmmmmm.

Egads! I can't commute to work (no good way right now). But....I think you get the tough award! What rain gear keeps you (relatively) dry and comfy in that??