The Season is Just Beginning
09-30-16, 02:14 PM
#26
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Riding in winter is purely overcoming the psychology of winter? Not in my book. I lived for decades in the Midwest and was crazy enough to go one year car free which often meant hopping on a bike to get groceries if I wanted to eat. If I had enough clothing on to keep warm in the coldest months when I reached the grocery store I was way overdressed for spending any time in the store.
09-30-16, 02:46 PM
#27
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@Retro Grouch Are you riding a recumbent tadpole trike?
I will be riding clipped in on my fat bike. I feel more stable and want to avoid any foot slippage.
I will be riding clipped in on my fat bike. I feel more stable and want to avoid any foot slippage.
09-30-16, 02:53 PM
#28
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Personally the only weather I don’t like to ride in is rain, and no rain wouldbe a desert. That said, I really like riding in all seasons, even winter. So my near perfect weather would present the best of all seasons, without the extremes, and I already live here. Nice, albeit short Spring with beautiful blossoms and that first few weeks of relief from Winter; glorious summer; cool crispy Autumn with colorful foliage; and even a bracing, and challenging Winter, but not one impossible to ride in.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-30-16 at 02:56 PM.
09-30-16, 02:56 PM
#29
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@Retro Grouch Are you riding a recumbent tadpole trike?
I will be riding clipped in on my fat bike. I feel more stable and want to avoid any foot slippage.
I will be riding clipped in on my fat bike. I feel more stable and want to avoid any foot slippage.
I'm reluctant to give up my SPD's due to a thing called "leg suck". If your feet slip off of the pedals, the forward moving tadpole can catch your legs between the road and the front of the cruciform.
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09-30-16, 05:31 PM
#30
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Of course ... When you assume ...
09-30-16, 05:35 PM
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I dont’t think of a cycling season, but rather a cycling year with a cycle of seasons. I posted to this thread, “Does a near-perfect weather place exist?.”
Not to sound religious, but I I like to think of Ash Wednesday as my “New Cycling Year’s Day.” It occurs usually still well into the Winter and I use that forty-day period of Lent as a marker to define a tolerable length of time to go into a rigorous dietary and training mode to shake off the winter blahs, even though I ride during the Winter anyways. By Easter, Spring is making itself known and I’m particularly ready for it.
Not to sound religious, but I I like to think of Ash Wednesday as my “New Cycling Year’s Day.” It occurs usually still well into the Winter and I use that forty-day period of Lent as a marker to define a tolerable length of time to go into a rigorous dietary and training mode to shake off the winter blahs, even though I ride during the Winter anyways. By Easter, Spring is making itself known and I’m particularly ready for it.
09-30-16, 08:24 PM
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I rode year round last year, and plan to do the same this year. Only exceptions would be snow/ice. We usually dont get hit until mid Jan through Feb, and besides that 3' last winter we hardly had anything. I just this morning looked at the extended forecast up to the end of December and loved seeing those temps. We are seemingly out of the blazing hot weather now (which, for me, is 80+ lol), unless something changes.
My legs stay pretty warm and ill wear my light "fleece-like leggings" like last year on the 35'-ish below days probably. Its my arms, hands, and face that suffer the most. Iv spent the past two weeks trying to find more appropriate gear for this winter. I usually start with a jacket or something and end up stripping it off 3 miles in... so after looking at handlebar bags/baskets and front racks with no great/affordable options, I just this morning instead bought some of those looped bungees with a ball on the end for rolling my jacket up to strap on the top of the drop bar. Works great, cleaner look/out of the way, and super cheap lol. I cant wait to get out there!
My legs stay pretty warm and ill wear my light "fleece-like leggings" like last year on the 35'-ish below days probably. Its my arms, hands, and face that suffer the most. Iv spent the past two weeks trying to find more appropriate gear for this winter. I usually start with a jacket or something and end up stripping it off 3 miles in... so after looking at handlebar bags/baskets and front racks with no great/affordable options, I just this morning instead bought some of those looped bungees with a ball on the end for rolling my jacket up to strap on the top of the drop bar. Works great, cleaner look/out of the way, and super cheap lol. I cant wait to get out there!
09-30-16, 08:55 PM
#34
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I like riding in the 890s and 90s. It is certainly slowing down for me.
10-01-16, 08:43 AM
#37
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I've never been on an adult trike or recumbent, but my guess would be the inherent stability would virtually reduce the odds of having a "can't unclip fast enough" incident - it's just not gonna tip except in really extreme circumstances, right? So I guess I would conclude clipped in would be fine.
Of course ... When you assume ...
Of course ... When you assume ...
Oh, and you can easily roll a tadpole. I can show you the nice shark tooth pattern I have on my right leg from when I rolled my tadpole. It's too easy to do on sharp turns. On ice, its not going to be a problem.
10-01-16, 12:51 PM
#38
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I don't think of a cycling season, but rather a cycling year with a cycle of seasons...
Not to sound religious, but I I like to think of Ash Wednesday as my New Cycling Year's Day.It occurs usually still well into the Winter and I use that forty-day period of Lent as a marker to define a tolerable length of time to go into a rigorous dietary and training mode to shake off the winter blahs, even though I ride during the Winter anyways. By Easter, Spring ismaking itself known and I'm particularly ready for it.
Not to sound religious, but I I like to think of Ash Wednesday as my New Cycling Year's Day.It occurs usually still well into the Winter and I use that forty-day period of Lent as a marker to define a tolerable length of time to go into a rigorous dietary and training mode to shake off the winter blahs, even though I ride during the Winter anyways. By Easter, Spring ismaking itself known and I'm particularly ready for it.
The actual date varies with the weather here, but usually we have a thaw in March,2nd or 3rd week, when ice clears up enough to bring out the road, hybrid, or Mt bikes without studs. It can still be 16 degrees at 3 am with refreezing ice but overall I feel safe enough at that point NOT riding something set up for winter. At least until the next blizzard.
Yesterday I decided the streets looked clean enough to bring out the carbon fiber and it was great. Streets were salt free, and the rare sand and debris fields at the side were all less than about two feet wide, and I always stay even fartherwide from the curb.
As an added benefit, it was 43°F, so off with the fleece, balaclava, goggles,and shoe covers, and on with knitted instead of windproof ski gloves.
As noted by many riders with heavy duty beaters and studded tires, riding carbon fiber anew is so smooth. However, the studs won't come off the Beater until at least mid March.
As an added benefit, it was 43°F, so off with the fleece, balaclava, goggles,and shoe covers, and on with knitted instead of windproof ski gloves.
As noted by many riders with heavy duty beaters and studded tires, riding carbon fiber anew is so smooth. However, the studs won't come off the Beater until at least mid March.
The road shoulders were free of snow, but with lots of debris, and I had about a six-inch clear path on the shoulder immediately next to upcoming traffic...
The route through Brookline had less traffic but with more narrow shoulders,and some visible residual ice (while on my narrow 25 C slick tires). All the while, particularly in Brookline, old well-known and new unrecognized potholes were prevalent; but by 6:15 AM I had sufficient daylight. All in all,it might have been premature to ride that route on my CF bike, but it still was a pleasure.
The route through Brookline had less traffic but with more narrow shoulders,and some visible residual ice (while on my narrow 25 C slick tires). All the while, particularly in Brookline, old well-known and new unrecognized potholes were prevalent; but by 6:15 AM I had sufficient daylight. All in all,it might have been premature to ride that route on my CF bike, but it still was a pleasure.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-01-16 at 12:55 PM.
10-01-16, 01:29 PM
#39
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The riding season in west central Florida is year round, 
but the prime riding season starts late Sept so its getting really nice now. 
All you folks stay up north. We don't want you to come down here and clog up the bike trails.
but the prime riding season starts late Sept so its getting really nice now. All you folks stay up north. We don't want you to come down here and clog up the bike trails.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
10-01-16, 01:51 PM
#40
Non omnino gravis
It took this long for one of us a-holes from California to stomp in here and yell, "What the hell are seasons?" The weather changes a little bit, and the days just get longer or shorter, but that's about it. We generally get our final week of triple-digit temps just before Halloween. It hasn't rained in 5 months, and way back in 2015 we had a grand total of ONE day where the temperature dropped below 32º. I rode all of last winter in regular unlined bibs and a long-sleeve jersey.
How I address the "seasons:" June-August, ride at 6am. December-February, ride at 10am. All other months, ride whenever.
How I address the "seasons:" June-August, ride at 6am. December-February, ride at 10am. All other months, ride whenever.
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10-01-16, 02:48 PM
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We haven't had a day over 90° all week! This is the real cycling season. Too bad I still have to go to work.
10-01-16, 03:14 PM
#42
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I don't see it as the start of the cycling season, but as the start of the season where I don't feel like a pack mule hauling large quantities of water. Especially since my available riding time is mid day.
10-01-16, 03:23 PM
#43
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Riding in winter is purely overcoming the psychology of winter? Not in my book. I lived for decades in the Midwest and was crazy enough to go one year car free which often meant hopping on a bike to get groceries if I wanted to eat. If I had enough clothing on to keep warm in the coldest months when I reached the grocery store I was way overdressed for spending any time in the store.
After November it's time for the pool.
10-01-16, 07:32 PM
#44
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I'm with you. I rode one year down into the teens, then there's still the dark and ice. Plus the bike trails aren't shoveled so the only option is riding on the road everywhere which I'm just not going to do especially in cold, dark, slippery weather.
After November it's time for the pool.
After November it's time for the pool.
10-02-16, 04:59 AM
#45
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I rode year round last year, and plan to do the same this year. Only exceptions would be snow/ice. We usually dont get hit until mid Jan through Feb, and besides that 3' last winter we hardly had anything. I just this morning looked at the extended forecast up to the end of December and loved seeing those temps. We are seemingly out of the blazing hot weather now (which, for me, is 80+ lol), unless something changes.
My legs stay pretty warm and ill wear my light "fleece-like leggings" like last year on the 35'-ish below days probably. Its my arms, hands, and face that suffer the most. Iv spent the past two weeks trying to find more appropriate gear for this winter. I usually start with a jacket or something and end up stripping it off 3 miles in... so after looking at handlebar bags/baskets and front racks with no great/affordable options, I just this morning instead bought some of those looped bungees with a ball on the end for rolling my jacket up to strap on the top of the drop bar. Works great, cleaner look/out of the way, and super cheap lol. I cant wait to get out there!
My legs stay pretty warm and ill wear my light "fleece-like leggings" like last year on the 35'-ish below days probably. Its my arms, hands, and face that suffer the most. Iv spent the past two weeks trying to find more appropriate gear for this winter. I usually start with a jacket or something and end up stripping it off 3 miles in... so after looking at handlebar bags/baskets and front racks with no great/affordable options, I just this morning instead bought some of those looped bungees with a ball on the end for rolling my jacket up to strap on the top of the drop bar. Works great, cleaner look/out of the way, and super cheap lol. I cant wait to get out there!
10-02-16, 08:25 AM
#46
Senior Member
Outside of Chicago, winter can be rough. The issue isn't so much temperatures, ice, salt and slush are more the limiting factor. On dry roads, I can comfortably ride at sub zero (F) temps with surprisingly little clothing. However, if conditions are only slightly icy cycling gets treacherous and unsafe. A thin skim of ice on roads is absolutely terrifying on a bike.
To me, the game changer was a fat bike. With the fattie I can plow through snow and (some) ice pretty easily. I have a large local rail trail system that is generally completely empty in snowy conditions. I can happily ride for hours in heavy snowstorm on the fatty. I'm only going 7 mph but it's one hell of a workout and is great for developing bike handling skills. I'll bet a regular mountain bike is almost as good. I also bet that studded tires on a fattie would make me pretty much unstoppable. I actually can't wait for the first snow storm this winter.
To me, the game changer was a fat bike. With the fattie I can plow through snow and (some) ice pretty easily. I have a large local rail trail system that is generally completely empty in snowy conditions. I can happily ride for hours in heavy snowstorm on the fatty. I'm only going 7 mph but it's one hell of a workout and is great for developing bike handling skills. I'll bet a regular mountain bike is almost as good. I also bet that studded tires on a fattie would make me pretty much unstoppable. I actually can't wait for the first snow storm this winter.
10-02-16, 08:45 AM
#47
Senior Member
... However, if conditions are only slightly icy cycling gets treacherous and unsafe. A thin skim of ice on roads is absolutely terrifying on a bike.
To me, the game changer was a fat bike. With the fattie I can plow through snow and (some) ice pretty easily. I have a large local rail trail system that is generally completely empty in snowy conditions. I can happily ride for hours in heavy snowstorm on the fatty. I'm only going 7 mph but it's one hell of a workout and is great for developing bike handling skills. I'll bet a regular mountain bike is almost as good. I also bet that studded tires on a fattie would make me pretty much unstoppable. I actually can't wait for the first snow storm this winter.
To me, the game changer was a fat bike. With the fattie I can plow through snow and (some) ice pretty easily. I have a large local rail trail system that is generally completely empty in snowy conditions. I can happily ride for hours in heavy snowstorm on the fatty. I'm only going 7 mph but it's one hell of a workout and is great for developing bike handling skills. I'll bet a regular mountain bike is almost as good. I also bet that studded tires on a fattie would make me pretty much unstoppable. I actually can't wait for the first snow storm this winter.
10-02-16, 06:09 PM
#48
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This is how it will be, for now anyway...I just threw it on there real quick for a pic. The velcro is in the car right now, so i didn't bother throwing it on. The bungee balls will strap behind the cages for the days ill likely need them, and velcro will go in the saddle bag.
Last edited by Hardrock23; 10-02-16 at 06:14 PM.
10-04-16, 07:54 PM
#49
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Wow! I'm sorry that happened to you! I was thinking of using a net first, either alone or with a basket but thought it wouldn't be snug enough to be secure, plus i thought anything with a hook might more easily come undone. So i'm using bungee balls (really short and thick/strong). I have a short one piece velcro strap that ill add to further secure every piece to the bike, in case one somehow snaps. I'll keep watch on things regardless, but for now this is all i can afford. I do have a beautiful small/simple Soma front rack in my wishlist, for when i'm able to get it...Though i'm also considering a Blackburn Outpost cargo bottle cage or Salsa Anything cage. I think those are neat, but they don't look good lol. I'm up to hearing thoughts or other tricks and/or recommendations though, of course!
This is how it will be, for now anyway...I just threw it on there real quick for a pic. The velcro is in the car right now, so i didn't bother throwing it on. The bungee balls will strap behind the cages for the days ill likely need them, and velcro will go in the saddle bag.
This is how it will be, for now anyway...I just threw it on there real quick for a pic. The velcro is in the car right now, so i didn't bother throwing it on. The bungee balls will strap behind the cages for the days ill likely need them, and velcro will go in the saddle bag.
10-05-16, 09:23 AM
#50
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Summer riding in texas takes some effort I'll give it that. Between some trips to the desert for long periods of time in my younger days to working in South Texas 84 hour weeks on drilling rigs when I started out in oil and gas I'm pretty good with any temp except extreme cold. My lungs hurt like hell when it's below 30.
Right now is perfect. I'm actually out in the middle of a ride right now kicked back watching the Trinity river creep by. I'll probably be out all day today trying make up for taking a few months off early summer due to an injury. Gotta catch up and make that annual goal.
Right now is perfect. I'm actually out in the middle of a ride right now kicked back watching the Trinity river creep by. I'll probably be out all day today trying make up for taking a few months off early summer due to an injury. Gotta catch up and make that annual goal.