How Was Your Commute Today?

[blackhillsbiker]

Blowing snow and ice. I felt very extreme. I was glad I had the snow tires. It really wasn't too bad. I need to find an alternative to the down jacket, though. It is good in the morning, but I overheat on the way home.

Deb

[Cataboo]

Blowing snow and ice. I felt very extreme. I was glad I had the snow tires. It really wasn't too bad. I need to find an alternative to the down jacket, though. It is good in the morning, but I overheat on the way home.

Deb

Maybe you can use a down vest instead.

There are a few down jackets that have pit zips (cloudveil down patrol is one), so you can open them to vent.

[lph]

Layers! Make a note of which layers you need at which temps, and peel off accordingly for the ride home. I can be wearing 3 or 4 layers when it's really cold, which means it takes ages to get dressed but I can always adjust to the temps. Getting too hot and sweaty can get you colder in the long run than being dressed jsut right.

[blackhillsbiker]

I do pretty well with layers until I get to the last one. I don't have a good way of getting the down jacket home without wearing it. I carry several options for hats/gloves/balaclavas, etc. My commuter bag just won't fit the jacket. When it's above zero, I have a combination of wool, fleece and windbreaker that works very well and allows me to peel or add as needed. It's just when it's really cold that I'm stuck. I'll get it figured out before next week, though. Today I'm only going in for a few hours and I think I'm just going to go in the car with DH.

Deb

[Becky]

I don't have a good way of getting the down jacket home without wearing it.

What about a small compression sack, like those that backpackers use for sleeping bags? Down is pretty squishy and compacts well.

Or those travel Space Bag things that they're always advertising on TV!

[skhill]

My coldest ride yet! Sunday morning, 6 F, and I was going to just go ahead and drive. But then I took a look at the car, and realized it'd likely take me nearly as long to scrape the car as to get where I was going on my bike, so why not?

But no helmet, I'm afraid-- the thin but warm balaclava I wear under my helmet was damp because I had worn it on my run a little earlier. And I ended up taking off my glasses because they were so fogged up. I'm just glad there was no ice and very little traffic....

[blackhillsbiker]

More "freezing fog." I wish the balaclava and I could come to some kind of understanding. It gets wet and miserable so I remove it and my face freezes. I'm going to try a merino wool one to see if it's any better. Other than that, it was beautiful with the frosted trees.

Deb

[bikerHen]

I've been able to ride 4 of the 5 days of the new year! I would have been 5 for 5 but we went snowshoeing on New Years Day. WOW! What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were dealing with 4+ feet of snow. This year, rain, and like this mornings commute slushy snow with lots of BIG puddles to ride through! Like everyone else I'm just loving my winter commuting. bikerHen

[badgercat]

It was about 50F when I headed to campus this morning, 65F or so on my way back this afternoon. Perhaps it seems cruel to post this when so many are posting about snow and ice, but I'll pay for it when it's 100F in August, thankyouverymuch. Oh, Arizona.

Anyway, the main reason I wanted to post was that today was my first time going for a ride with PowerGrips on my pedals! I've never used toe clips or clipless or anything before. I still have to look down occasionally to get my feet in, but I think that's a mental block more than anything. There are a few stop signs and lights on my commute, but I didn't find the "clipping" in and out to be burdensome (though the straps probably should be a little tighter than they are right now--I'll play around with that). So far I think I really like them!