You're crazy for riding in these temperatures!
01-22-19, 08:09 AM
#101
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[QUOTE=wipekitty;20758443]This looks fun. Might be time to bring out the bonus extra face mask. /QUOTE]
Funny you mention that, I rode with a second, smaller balaclava under my usual Trek balaclava this morning. Worked like a charm, too. Morning Temps: 9F with a slight NW breeze
Got the surf music up on YouTube at work this morning to try to trick my brain into believing it's warmer out
Funny you mention that, I rode with a second, smaller balaclava under my usual Trek balaclava this morning. Worked like a charm, too. Morning Temps: 9F with a slight NW breeze
Got the surf music up on YouTube at work this morning to try to trick my brain into believing it's warmer out
01-22-19, 02:52 PM
#102
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Just take my commuting route in the opposite direction. 
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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01-22-19, 05:01 PM
#103
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If you have a garage and a compressor; blow the snow off the bike before it melts. Cold garage is better. If you get the snow off quickly The bike will be almost dry,
01-22-19, 05:28 PM
#104
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It was -20*C this morning with no wind, so I did ride in this crazy temperature. It was mostly okay, except for the thumbs, both of which had its own hot pack, but still very numb. Road condition was awful. Sidewalk was better. Fell over hitting the curb but I was almost at a stop so no harm.
Crazy!
Crazy!
01-23-19, 08:53 AM
#105
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It was -20*C this morning with no wind, so I did ride in this crazy temperature. It was mostly okay, except for the thumbs, both of which had its own hot pack, but still very numb.
Road condition was awful. Sidewalk was better. Fell over hitting the curb but I was almost at a stop so no harm.
Crazy!
Road condition was awful. Sidewalk was better. Fell over hitting the curb but I was almost at a stop so no harm.
Crazy!
Any close calls recently?
This past Tuesday I was riding on a dark two lane, but lightly traveled suburban road, as the car commuters were starting to come out. In my winter dress swaddling my head and neck, my head mobility and peripheral vision is restricted though I use a rearview eyeglass mounted mirror.
I came to a four-way intersection for a left turn, and though the coast was clear, instead of taking the far left of my lane and turning, I decided to cross the lane since it was clear, stop at a median, look for oncoming cars, and then proceed (perpendicular to the road) through my turn.
Well I didn’t notice the edge of the brick curb (not a light-colored concrete one), even with my headlight, because there was little contrast between the curb edge and the blacktop road surface, and down I went into the middle of the oncoming lane.
I couldn’t get up quickly because my left foot was still engaged on the clipless pedal and as I was lying on my side on the ground, I couldn’t get enough leverage to disengage.Of course by now a car was coming up in my direction. Fortunately the driver stopped, got out and relieved me of my bike. I quicly went to the side of the road and re-claimed myself, and rode on to work.
Eventually the left knee grew more sore and I stayed overnight at work to rest it. Today (Thursday) it’s notably better.
In decades of cycling, I have had a couple of accidents,hitting obscure obstacles when I abandon my standard riding practices in an attempt to be more safe.
This past Tuesday I was riding on a dark two lane, but lightly traveled suburban road, as the car commuters were starting to come out. In my winter dress swaddling my head and neck, my head mobility and peripheral vision is restricted though I use a rearview eyeglass mounted mirror.
I came to a four-way intersection for a left turn, and though the coast was clear, instead of taking the far left of my lane and turning, I decided to cross the lane since it was clear, stop at a median, look for oncoming cars, and then proceed (perpendicular to the road) through my turn.
Well I didn’t notice the edge of the brick curb (not a light-colored concrete one), even with my headlight, because there was little contrast between the curb edge and the blacktop road surface, and down I went into the middle of the oncoming lane.
I couldn’t get up quickly because my left foot was still engaged on the clipless pedal and as I was lying on my side on the ground, I couldn’t get enough leverage to disengage.Of course by now a car was coming up in my direction. Fortunately the driver stopped, got out and relieved me of my bike. I quicly went to the side of the road and re-claimed myself, and rode on to work.
Eventually the left knee grew more sore and I stayed overnight at work to rest it. Today (Thursday) it’s notably better.
In decades of cycling, I have had a couple of accidents,hitting obscure obstacles when I abandon my standard riding practices in an attempt to be more safe.
Hey @rummrunn6,
Thanks for that reply. The situation was not as scary as might be imaqined, and after falling events preceded at a reasonable pace. The road was low volume and low speed…
Thanks for that reply. The situation was not as scary as might be imaqined, and after falling events preceded at a reasonable pace. The road was low volume and low speed…
01-23-19, 03:24 PM
#108
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@wipekitty, thanks for answering. that is a bit more intense than the piedmont area of North Carolina. Although it has been cold for here lately.
01-23-19, 04:11 PM
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I love winter and cold, specially riding at night time, but because of my asthma I find myself forced to stop riding for one or two months. Very sad. I is like if you love eating strawberrys but you are allergic to strawberries. Too sad.
01-23-19, 05:38 PM
#110
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So we had about 4 inches last night, fairly mushy snow. Yesterday, folks were asking me with alarm whether I was going to ride. My ride took about twice as long as it does during the summer, and there were many stretches where I had to push my bike. Still, I was one of the few people who made it to work today.
01-23-19, 10:41 PM
#111
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It’s been pretty dry around here this winter (although quite cold at times), was still riding slicks into January. Fun getting on ice with studs this week!
01-24-19, 07:46 AM
#114
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factoring in the wind chill, Worcester, MA will feel 83 degrees warmer today (Thursday 1/24/19) than Monday 1/21/19
01-24-19, 12:04 PM
#115
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At my last two jobs, my commute route would give me a headwind in both directions, most days. I'm between jobs now, and I wonder what the future holds for me. I have a third interview coming up for a job that's at the very southern tip of the island, and that would be an easy commute but too short.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-24-19, 01:06 PM
#116
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01-24-19, 03:35 PM
#117
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Good advice! I'm working on it.
Haha. I ask, "What do you need me to do first or most importantly?" I think that worked out well for my upcoming interview.
my favorite interview question: "what do you think makes me perfect for this job?" 
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-28-19, 04:05 PM
#118
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I really enjoy how many 'cold weather warnings' I get from coworkers in NC. I work remotely in Minneapolis and talked about using this week for an Arrowhead 135 training rides (while my friends are racing it right now with temps 10 to 20 degrees colder). Based on my call this afternoon - everything will freeze, fall off, and I'll be dead in less than 2 minutes. 
01-28-19, 10:46 PM
#119
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@Hypno Toad hmm...that looks familiar!
I really should not know that things like the Arrowhead 135 exist, that looks...fun
I really should not know that things like the Arrowhead 135 exist, that looks...fun
01-29-19, 07:44 AM
#120
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@Hypno Toad hmm...that looks familiar!
I really should not know that things like the Arrowhead 135 exist, that looks...fun
I really should not know that things like the Arrowhead 135 exist, that looks...fun
01-29-19, 07:53 AM
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yikes, might as well be Siberia!
01-29-19, 09:14 AM
#122
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I've been living vicariously via the race tracker - Arrowhead 135 2019 live tracker by trackleaders.com - I have a hard time working as I track my friends' rides. This year is brutal, one buddy that's strong and an AH135 finisher had to bail (mechanical and lingering effects of a cold). Another is withing 5 miles of the finish (rode through through the night), one is bedded down at the halfway point.
01-29-19, 09:36 AM
#123
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I've been working to move my cold temp range lower and lower over many years, I've tested myself down to -25*F without issues. I'm looking forward to moving the mark to a lower temp tomorrow.
To the point of this tread, I'm certain I will have many people think I'm crazy without knowing the years of work I've put into fine tuning my gear or knowing my goal of riding the AH135. Like I said early, my coworkers in NC are sure I'll die in a snowbank if I walk out the front door to get the mail
Side story: last night we need a couple items at the store, I said I'd walk out to get them. Lisa was worried about me walking 4 blocks to the store the cold (it was around 0*F) ... I laughed as I reminded her I'm training to ride the AH135, in temps much colder than this, and I'll be out in it for at least 24 hours. Not sure she's believing me yet.
Edit/afterthought: knowing your limits - I'm proud and sad for my buddy that bailed. I know he's an exceptionally strong rider (picture Grizzly Adams on a bike). I know it was hard for him to pull out. Likewise, I was tested and bailed on a race a couple years ago, for me it was the linger effects of the flu, extreme heat and headwinds that forced me to DNF.
Last edited by Hypno Toad; 01-29-19 at 09:39 AM.
01-29-19, 07:22 PM
#124
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This year I've had a couple of mornings at -10 F. Tomorrow is supposed to get colder, but they told us to work from home if possible. I've done -25 F, during the last "polar vortex," so it's been-there-done-that. My secret is that I have built up a lot of experience with gearing up for a cold ride, I know my gear, and I don't take risks. I'm no athlete, so my only real hope is to trudge along and stay warm. I'm geared up to the point where I could finish my commute on foot if needed.
I wouldn't even come close to qualifying for the AH135, but wow it looks like a blast.
I wouldn't even come close to qualifying for the AH135, but wow it looks like a blast.
01-30-19, 08:31 AM
#125
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I heard this morning, "it's so cold" that mail won't be delivered in (parts of) 10 US states