How Was Your Commute Today?

[7rider]

I did my first commute in the rain this a.m.
I figure, I've got a ti bike with fenders and disc brakes and rain gear and the only thing keeping me from riding in rain is my own wussiness. To deserve my bike, I figure I've really got to put it through it's paces.
So this morning, with mild temps (57) and nearly nonexistent traffic because of yesterday's holiday, was the perfect time to head out in a very light drizzle.
It was fine. Great, even. Saw one other woman on a bike and almost as many cars.
This afternoon was a different story, however (lots of bikes!!).

[tzvia]

Wussed out today. We just don't get this cold in the am in L.A.- it was 46F and dropping to 43- I got my thermals out, and warm winter cycling jacket and gloves. Wait... What about my face? I do have a nice wool cap that I can pull down around my ears, but my face will freeze! Crap- need a sky mask but don't have one, this is the San Fernando Valley, not Vail Co! But I'm not going to crack my face like I did my hands on Sunday in the freezing winds (they look like mummy hands right now). Took the truck, and stopped by the Big 5 on the way home and now own a balaclava. I look like a cycle-terrorist with it on LOL but if it keeps my face toasty so be it.

[Melalvai]

I had stuff at work on both ends of the day, so I was biking in the dark & cold. It had warmed up slightly and was snowing at lunch, and that was beautiful.

[tzvia]

Ahhhhh balaclava was nice. Wore it twice in the AM, and my face was not all red and cold by the time I got to work. Should have bought one sooner. The pre-dawn light has been lovely, with wispy clouds of pink and grey. My nose isn't freezing. This evening was going to be a very nice ride, temps in the mid 60s.

That was, till I saw my front tire was flat. ^%$#* crap. So I sat in front of my building in the quad area in front of Medical and changed my tire. Didn't bother to patch the bad one as I could not find the hole, but I did find a thorn poking through the tire and removed it. Patched it when I got home, it was a very small hole that I found with soapy water.

While I enjoy reading of you girls made of tougher stuff than I, trekking in the snow and rain, I am glad to say I have only seen snow where I live only twice in all my life. And both times, it had melted before the sun rose. As for rain, I take the truck when it rains, because I don't think I can fit fenders and I really have no desire to be all grimy at work (we don't have showers). Ok, I'm a wimp, but I am a dry, warm wimp.

[Tri Girl]

holy moly I wimped out today...
temps were in the low 20's, with wind chills in the single digits. Wind blowing at 10-20mph.
I got up, walked out the front door to see what it felt like, walked right back to bed and fell asleep for another half hour.
I want to be strong, but when it's that cold this desert rat just can't handle it. I long to be tough like my northern counterparts. I'll admit it- I'm a fair-weather cyclist in the winter.


The drive to work, however, was very pleasant!

[redrhodie]

holy moly I wimped out today...
temps were in the low 20's, with wind chills in the single digits. Wind blowing at 10-20mph.
I got up, walked out the front door to see what it felt like, walked right back to bed and fell asleep for another half hour.
I want to be strong, but when it's that cold this desert rat just can't handle it. I long to be tough like my northern counterparts. I'll admit it- I'm a fair-weather cyclist in the winter.


The drive to work, however, was very pleasant!

It's okay! That's really cold, and if you're not used to it, it's really cold! It's easier when you're acclimated to it. I hate heat. My lowest mileage month is always July. Didn't you hike the Grand Canyon last summer? See, that would be torture for me.

[Melalvai]

Tri Girl, if you don't have the right clothes for this weather it will be painful to try. Once you've spent money on these clothes, you are nearly happy for a cold or rainy excuse to wear them.

My hair froze this morning, underneath my balaclava.