Equinox approaches...shall we have a fall/winter commuter challenge again?

[kiwibug]

I've just started commuting to school this year.. I live in Canada (although - southern Ontario), and although I would love to commute throughout the winter I feel like snow/ice will probably get in the way. How do you guys deal with that?

[Tri Girl]

I'm definitely in! I won't guarantee how many days I'll ride (hopefully at least 2), but I will commit to once a week for certain.
I love a good challenge!

[blackhillsbiker]

I've just started commuting to school this year.. I live in Canada (although - southern Ontario), and although I would love to commute throughout the winter I feel like snow/ice will probably get in the way. How do you guys deal with that?

Merino wool layers, ski goggles, a wool Buff, warm mittens and (probably most important), studded snow tires. They are wonderful when riding on ice. I commuted through one of the worst winters the Black Hills had had in a long time last year. Missed very few days. Something about winter biking is addicting and makes me feel very alive. YMMV.

Deb

[pfunk12]

Count me in, too. I plan to ride every day unless it's snowing or there is ice on the roads. I enjoyed reading this thread last year.

[7rider]

I vote to disqualify Pfunk.
This thread distinctly says "challenge".
Bike commuting through all sorts of darkness, crappy weather, and other general ickiness is not a "challenge" for her!

My challenge will be: to not beat myself up when I take the subway, and I DON'T ride my bike to work, and the weather forecast turns out to be WRONG, WRONG, WRONG...and it would have been perfectly fine to ride in, but NOOOOOOO, I had to go and be all whimpy and stuff and leave the bike at home and look out the window at dry pavement. And then I can tell myself that "Rest days are just as important as workout days...maybe moreso." And believe it, if only my DH didn't go and buy a bunch of chocolate chip cookies when he went to the grocery store the other day (this is why I usually do the shopping! ) and if only I didn't eat a whole pile of them.

[pfunk12]

Okay, you're right. I think I can count the number of days on my two hands that I did NOT commute this year. Yesterday morning was my first commute in almost 2 and a half weeks because of a stressful situation at home (should be/could be another TE thread!). My wonderful supervisor let me work at home if/when I wanted to during that entire time. So even though it was raining (and then pouring rain) on the way in and the way home yesterday, I was out there...on my bike...with the biggest smile on my face.

I vote to disqualify Pfunk.
This thread distinctly says "challenge".
Bike commuting through all sorts of darkness, crappy weather, and other general ickiness is not a "challenge" for her!

[kfergos]

Oh man, I need to get back on the forum! So busy.

I'm in for this winter, and it should be a real challenge -- lots of snow predicted for the rainy Northwest, and I just moved to a house on a gigantic hill*. Studded tires anybody?

Work's looking a bit iffy (AmeriCorps stint ending, future uncertain), but my goal is to ride for all errands 3 miles or less, and for every commute to an office (assuming I work in an office).

* Brickyard Road, for inquiring minds.

[girlsubobscura]

I've been reading a lot of TE threads as I obsess over whether to buy a specialized sirrus or vita for my next commuter bike, but this was the thread that made me register so I could post. Last year I commuted until the end of december, and then stored Bertha until March 1st, by which point I was going absolutely crazy, and not feeling at all like myself without my normal 5 day a week commute (only a little under 4 miles each way). Ann Arbor is very hilly and last year was pretty snowy, but I'm going to try to commute all the way through this year, and I would definitely appreciate a winter challenge thread to keep me honest.