How Was Your Commute Today?

**Jenerator** · 12-02-2009, 06:27 PM

Finally a day when the temp going in was close to the one coming home ... 15F. Cold fingers, but great ride home under the nearly full moon.

**blackhillsbiker** · 12-02-2009, 08:06 PM

Only a half commute today. My bike is spending the night in DH's office.

We had snow, ice and wind this evening, also an Advent service to go to. I decided not to risk falling on the ice at 8:30 this evening. I hope I can ride her home tomorrow after work.

Deb

**ginny** · 12-03-2009, 07:32 AM

it was -16F out this morning, and I did it! I wore a balaclava, windproof hat, helmet, goggles (these were key) down coat, wind proof gloves, overmitts, and shearling boots. It was COLD - you know, freeze your nose hairs cold, but beautiful and a good way to start the day

**Tri Girl** · 12-03-2009, 02:52 PM

HOLY MOLY Ginny!!

And I was proud because I rode in 25F weather today (wind chill in the teens)- and I was freezing. I can't imagine how cold you must have been. You are a tough cookie.

**blackhillsbiker** · 12-03-2009, 05:03 PM

+16°F on the way home tonight. I'm re-thinking my gear. The wind shell was a bit of overkill since it doesn't breathe too well. I need warmer gloves and should have had on wool tights and warmer socks. I saw one other cyclist. No skateboarders (ninja or otherwise), joggers or walkers.

Deb

**HillSlugger** · 12-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by ginny

it was -16F out this morning, and I did it! I wore a balaclava, windproof hat, helmet, goggles (these were key) down coat, wind proof gloves, overmitts, and shearling boots. It was COLD - you know, freeze your nose hairs cold, but beautiful and a good way to start the day

Wow and awesome!

I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

**7rider** · 12-04-2009, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

Wow and awesome!

I've never ridden below 25F and I find it easier to ride in the cold when it's a fitness/training ride rather than a commute because there's lots less stopping and I warm up better.

Minus 16 is definitely amazing. I think the coldest I've commuted in was 18 or so. I've got 1 good hill about a mile into the ride, and that's where I really warm up (but the ride leading up to it is all downhill!). My problem is when I do stop at a light, and my glasses fog up! It really depends on the glasses, and fortunately, my clear-lensed winter glasses are far enough away from my eyes where that's not a problem, but my new Oakley's fog horribly on cold morning rides when I stop.

**blackhillsbiker** · 12-04-2009, 06:27 PM

3° this moring. I wasn't sure if I would go through with it, but I'm glad I did. I wore merino wool tights under my jeans, and my down jacket over a really warm wool sweater. Wool socks and hiking boots, and a wool hat under my helmet. I just need to find warmer gloves, and I ordered goggles from 6pm.com tonight

I'm tired of my eyes watering.

Deb

**newfsmith** · 12-05-2009, 06:40 PM

We have continued to have crazy weather. Thursday morning it was raining &blowing a steady 35 with gusts over 50, then in the afternoon it was clear and 65F. This morning it was nice, mid-forties riding in. Inventory day at work meant we counted every single pill, q-tip, microscope slide and suture in the practice. Definately one of those days you look forward to the ride home, even if it is pouring rain. At least I got home before it changed to snow.

**skhill** · 12-06-2009, 11:57 AM

I rode to church this morning, and the looks I got, walking in the door! Got there at 7:15 am for choir practice, and at that hour it was still dark and 18 degrees.... I've become known as the crazy bike lady at church (but what would be really crazy is driving there, it's only 1.25 miles from my house).

If only my fingers hadn't been going numb, it would have been a beautiful (early) morning for a ride...

**Tri Girl** · 12-06-2009, 01:08 PM

I just bought some cycling goggles online today. I find that the cold air really hurts my eyes (not to mention the watering) and that even the largest of my cycling glasses frames don't keep out the cold/wind all the way. If they work- I'll let you all know.

http://www.kroopsgoggles.com/bicycling/goggles

**surgtech1956** · 12-06-2009, 01:41 PM

Dang, I am impressed. I have one questions, how long is your commutes? Those are some low temps to ride very far in, IMO.

**Melalvai** · 12-06-2009, 05:43 PM

I'll be interested to know what you think. I use $2 safety goggles from Walmart. They sure fog up, even with all the tricks like dishwasher soap, but until I hear of something that actually works I'm not going to pay for something else.

I am not ashamed that I called for a ride tonight. It wasn't horribly cold, but it was colder than it has gotten yet this winter. I bundled up and went to the fabric store to find some yarn so I can repair the holes in my wool undershirt (I found links to instructions on how to do it on Team Estrogen!). 5 miles later, I was at the store looking for yarn. I suddenly realized that my feet HURT! They were thawing out and it was agonizing. I hadn't even realized they were cold, until I was in the store.

So I called for a ride, and tomorrow I'll put on the overshoes in addition to the wool socks.

**blackhillsbiker** · 12-06-2009, 09:03 PM

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** · 12-07-2009, 08:14 AM

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

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