January rides -- outdoors!!

[ny biker]

I "rode" in Tuscon yesterday. More specifically, I just got Coach Troy's Tuscon Training "virtual reality" dvd for Christmas, and yesterday I tried out the shorter of the two rides on it. I think it was Gates Pass. The other ride is Mt Lemmon.

I finally got some warmer tights -- I scored a pair of AmFibs on sale this weekend. It was about 40 here yesterday so I would have given them a test by going for a spin outdoors, but the roads were wet all day and I didn't feel like having to clean my bike afterwards.

Keep your fingers crossed for this coming weekend -- the forecast is calling for temps in the low 50s.

[Thorn]

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.

But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

[azfiddle]

NY Biker- those are two regular rides for me! Almost every time I get to the top of Gates Pass I have to get off my bike and sit down. Mt. Lemmon is much longer but easier. I was there on Saturday- about the first 5 miles anyway.

Hope you get those 50's soon.

Thorn, get in touch before your trip to Tucson - if not for a meet up then for general local info on rides etc.
Sharon

[Bike Writer]

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.



But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

Okay Thorn, you have my unqualified admiration for biking dedication! Maybe change your handle to Wonder Woman? I crabbed over having to walk a block in that miserable weather this morning.

Yeah, I know, there is no bad weather just bad choices of clothing...but it was cold enough today for this: ps it's real, Hell Michigan is just a tad bit southwest of me.

[Donna1960]

Thorn...what did you wear on your feet and hands in the cold commute you did?

[SheFly]

Thorn - that's impressive!

DH is on a determined streak to NOT ride his bike indoors (he is also continuing a 2 year streak of riding his bike every day). Last night when I finished work, it was dark, and 9 degrees. We suited up, and went out on the fat bikes for what turned out to be a VERY fun spin in the woods. There was definitely some ice we had to beware of (on Monday, we had temps as high as 56 that went down below 20 later in the day, and a significant amount of rain), but there was also some excellent riding to be found. By the time we got home, it was 5. And the wind was definitely blowing, though in the woods, we were pretty sheltered.

So, what exactly does one wear riding in these cold conditions?

Head: fleece neck gaitor (from downhill skiing days), wool beanie and helmet
Top: wicking yoga tank top, Craft zip neck base layer, Pearl Izumi Elite jacket, down hooded jacket (which I managed to snag on a tree and tear )
Bottom: Smartwool knee socks, knee warmers, Champion fleece-lined bib shorts, Pearl Izumi Elite bib tights
Feet: Louis Garneau winter shoes
Hands: Ibex wool glove liners, REI heavy duty mittens (from downhill skiing days)

We were out for an hour and 50 minutes (1:38 moving time) and I was never cold. Towards the end of the ride, my feet started to get a bit chilly, but I managed to get home before it got to the painful point. Yes, we are crazy, but apparently at my house, the streak must continue!

SheFly

[Crankin]

That wind late yesterday even got to me, SheFly. And I was only going to my car... appropriately dressed. 15 degrees with sun during the day seems like nothing to me, but wind and darkness sort of put me to the tipping point. Although, if I had been up north and nordic skiing, of course, I would have gone! I've skied in colder/worse conditions. I just can't get myself to ride, though. I went on a super short ride in December, at around 30 degrees/cloudy. I have the right clothes, but I was extremely chilled for awhile afterward. It seems like I had more trouble adjusting to the cold this year. My hands are the main issue, as I don't feel comfortable shifting in my AmFib gloves. I do it, but often end up wearing my next level up, with liners/heaters. I couldn't use lobster gloves (tried that) and bar mitts, no way. It's like I get a feeling of claustrophobia and then I get nervous about not being able to shift. I had no issues with lobster gloves and trigger shifters, though, when I mountain biked or on my old hybrid.
Well, I will live vicariously through you. My friends already think I am nuts for skiing/snow shoeing in the past week.

[jyyanks]

Record idiocy for this commuter. The university I teach at wasn't closed so I had to go in. It was bike or bus....40 minutes by bike or stand on the bus corner for up to 20-30 minutes (because my bus is rarely on time).

So it was to work by bike...tailwinds on the way in; headwinds home. -11 with 13 mph winds gusting 20 for a -32 windchill. My retention on sanity was that I rode just off the bus route. If I ran into problems it would just be putting the bike on the bus.

But, no issues. Hands, feet, head and core were happy. Tops of my thighs and butt were cold. Interestingly it was the only part of me not clothed in wool.

I'm really, really looking forward to my trip to Tucson in March.

For a humorous look on the cold and snow http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/201...cold-shoulder/ It is worth reading to the end.

WOW!!!! I feel like a wus because I was complaining about walking to the subway in -10.

I'm beyond awed at your grit and daring.