How Was Your Commute Today?

[blackhillsbiker]

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

[ginny]

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

I leave for Hawaii in a few days, and I'm looking forward to wearing shorts and running outside. Alas, not bringing any bikes

[lph]

ginny, you ROCK

[Melalvai]

My ski goggles don't fog up and between that and the balaclava, really no part of my face is exposed.

What ski goggles do you use? Do you treat them with anything so they don't fog up?

[hoffsquared]

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.

[ginny]

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

Hey, LPH, I really DON'T rock when compared with someone from ... say... Norway! *grin* Do you think they would let me live there?

[hoffsquared]

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.

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.

[ginny]

um... mine do not - but they do make ski goggles that do work with glasses. They have little breaks in them for the arms of the glasses to go through. I can't tell you much more though. Good luck.

[Melalvai]

I have Smith goggles - not the ridiculously priced ones... 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

My brother informed me years ago that the bicycle helmet + reflective orange road vest + safety goggles was extremely NOT stylish, so I'm not worried. We make our own fashions.
After Christmas I'll order a pair and try them out. Thanks!

[ginny]

Yeah, Grog? Cruiser or no? I have a colleague (who I do not like much) who bikes most days, and when I bike and he doesn't, he likes to make it a bit of an insult to me... "well, it just wasn't safe enough to bike" or "you're just too tough" (he's a jerk), but we all know that he does it because he cringes just a little when my single speed is resting in the hall and his big old studded tire bike is at home (I too can be petty).

Alas, no ride in for me today - too much snow. You can be sure, though, that if I do see someone who rode in today, I will tell them how awesome they are instead of telling them "it's just too dangerous to ride when it's like this" - why do people do that? To each his/her own...