winter is coming to an end
#26
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I moved from Long Island and the first year in the south I planted all the beautiful perennials I had up north.
It was gorgeous, until a thing called August happened. Scorched.
-Tim-
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But the rosemary I left outside all winter got like three feet tall! That was cool.
#28
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I moved south after spending nearly a decade in parts of the West where nothing grows because it's too dry. So being a good Midwesterner, I went out and planted my vegetables over Memorial Day Weekend. Yep. No vegetables.
But the rosemary I left outside all winter got like three feet tall! That was cool.
But the rosemary I left outside all winter got like three feet tall! That was cool.
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did you ride as much as you intended? I did not.
I also didn't get a blizzard ride in. we have all of March so maybe I will get lucky, but so far this winter has been a snowy bust in our areaI would really enjoy some rock hard dirt with about 2" of fresh powdery snow during a dry storm. then get done in time to watch all the roads close, light a fire & have a wine on my 1 day off a week ... is that too much to ask?
I also didn't get a blizzard ride in. we have all of March so maybe I will get lucky, but so far this winter has been a snowy bust in our areaI would really enjoy some rock hard dirt with about 2" of fresh powdery snow during a dry storm. then get done in time to watch all the roads close, light a fire & have a wine on my 1 day off a week ... is that too much to ask?
Originally Posted by Velominati
Rule # 9: If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards.
Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face.
This is a rider who loves the work.
Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face.
This is a rider who loves the work.
what are your favorite conditions?
...Nice descriptions @rumrunn6. 2019 is for me a re-building year after a bad 2018 (link), so since January I've been trying to ride, on abbreviated commuter routes using Commuter Rail. As I have frequently posted:
You’re certainly right about this being a friendly winter for riding. During the single-digit, last week of January, I was (fortunately) stymied by attending a week-long conference in Boston.
At such conferences I usually offer to take visitors on an evening walking tour in downtown, but no takers.
...Nice descriptions @rumrunn6. 2019 is for me a re-building year after a bad 2018 (link), so since January I've been trying to ride, on abbreviated commuter routes using Commuter Rail. As I have frequently posted:
At such conferences I usually offer to take visitors on an evening walking tour in downtown, but no takers.
Getting serious about getting into shape
…Just prior to reading this thread, I posted to the Winter Cycling Forum: Fitness is my prime motivator for winter commuting, as my only tenable activity, though indeed just last week I looked at indoor trainers, to keep at work, but time and disinterest in indoor riding is still a limitation.
Sufficient outdoor riding prepares me for the Spring (link) and builds up tolerance for the cold in general.
Anyways, apropos of the title of this thread, one of the best motivators I experienced was in 2016:
This February, another facility that I work at has set up a much less "stringent" Winter Challenge for February.
So far this February as of Feb 8, I have no miles due to work and family activites, but despite temperatures of about 32 °F. with a wind advisory, I’m planning a nine-mile ride from my workplace this Saturday to home (but I can drop out along the route and take a bus. )
…Just prior to reading this thread, I posted to the Winter Cycling Forum: Fitness is my prime motivator for winter commuting, as my only tenable activity, though indeed just last week I looked at indoor trainers, to keep at work, but time and disinterest in indoor riding is still a limitation.
Sufficient outdoor riding prepares me for the Spring (link) and builds up tolerance for the cold in general.
Anyways, apropos of the title of this thread, one of the best motivators I experienced was in 2016:
What is your average miles per week (or hours) for us old guys...
…Just this week [in 2016], I was presented with a golden motivation to achieve my optimal mileage. The organization I work for is promoting an “Activity Challenge,” for teams of five members to track their physical activity: type, intensity and duration, from March 6 to June 6, and points are assigned.
Two of my co-workers are on an opposing team. Results will be posted weekly.
…Just this week [in 2016], I was presented with a golden motivation to achieve my optimal mileage. The organization I work for is promoting an “Activity Challenge,” for teams of five members to track their physical activity: type, intensity and duration, from March 6 to June 6, and points are assigned.
Two of my co-workers are on an opposing team. Results will be posted weekly.
So far this February as of Feb 8, I have no miles due to work and family activites, but despite temperatures of about 32 °F. with a wind advisory, I’m planning a nine-mile ride from my workplace this Saturday to home (but I can drop out along the route and take a bus. )
In particular though, I rode about 4 miles this morning (2/27) at 13 ͦ F without discomfort. On my ride, I noted these two seemingly February-specific phenomena that I might consider harbingers of Spring:
…this morning [2/5/18, and 7:30 AM, 2/27/19] at about 7:30 to 7:45 AM on my southbound commute, the bright, low-lying Winter morning sun was directly at the level of my left hand rearview mirror, and the sun glare made it difficult to get a fix on that mirror.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-28-19 at 06:46 AM.
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there must be a formula for equating cold rides to warm rides, meaning 4 miles at 13 degrees is equivalent to 40 miles at 72 degrees ...
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in VT they grow their own herbs inside
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I don’t know about any conversion factor, but I have suggested this definition of a cold ride:
Speaking of winter I have on a few posts repeated the suggestion of the definition of a cold ride as one where the water bottle freezes solid, as a function of temperature and time. For my 14 mile commute of slightly over an hour that occurs at about 15º F.
Note that the frozen bottle contains carbonated water, which probably depresses the freezing point, but I think the situation is still a good definition of a cold ride.
Note that the frozen bottle contains carbonated water, which probably depresses the freezing point, but I think the situation is still a good definition of a cold ride.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-27-19 at 04:59 PM.
#33
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I had a great ride in this am, 17F, snow showers and a light coating of snow on the roads. A truck driver leaned out of a truck and, with a huge smile on his face, said, "hey, that's ANIMAL!" I suppose that was a compliment!
#34
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Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.
-Tim-
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Challenges, especially with friends and/or coworkers, is definitely a great motivation. However, in our area I doubt anyone would find the motivation to get me out in our -25 to -35 degree celcius temps (-13 to -31 deg F). I've tried it before, but it's simply not any fun...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-28-19 at 10:33 AM. Reason: added quote by Alfster
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My shortcuts are via the MBTA. My usual bike-only commute of a minimal 14 miles can be shortened to 5 or 4 miles by commuter rail; or any distance I choose by MBTA bus and subway.
#39
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Yeah, I'm in Metro North. Not to give an exact location but I live near the 93/95 interchange. I work near to where I live. I am a 365 day commuter (car-less) for the past 2.5 years!
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Snowiest February round these parts since 1936. I rode nowhere near as much as I wanted to. Now I'm just waiting for spring so I don't have to make that decision whether or not to ride due to some wintry condition.
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Hiya Jim, not to give my exact location away but I live near the 93/95 interchange, if that's any help. So NW Boston.
I pop in and out on this site.
Ah, ok, so December. Does it change your mind any that Channel 4 is predicting an early and cold winter this year, and that we'll see some early winter around Halloween?
I pop in and out on this site.
Ah, ok, so December. Does it change your mind any that Channel 4 is predicting an early and cold winter this year, and that we'll see some early winter around Halloween?
Hi parkbrav,
Thanks for that reply. Nearly all my cycling is south of Boston in the vicinity of the Charles River and Neponset River watersheds. Being in Kenmore Square I do get up North, and Rte 62 is a favorite road.
A favorite route back home is via Washington St in Woburn to Winchester, then Rte 38 to Arlington, and Mass Ave to Boston, or through Meffed to Somerville to Boston.
In my Cycling Guide to Metro Boston I described your sector:...
Thanks for that reply. Nearly all my cycling is south of Boston in the vicinity of the Charles River and Neponset River watersheds. Being in Kenmore Square I do get up North, and Rte 62 is a favorite road.
A favorite route back home is via Washington St in Woburn to Winchester, then Rte 38 to Arlington, and Mass Ave to Boston, or through Meffed to Somerville to Boston.
In my Cycling Guide to Metro Boston I described your sector:...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-28-19 at 12:24 PM.
#42
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Now I do recall we corresponded last year, also about winter, and you gave the same vague coordinatesBTW, how did your co-workers react to your "hardcore" ride? ("When does Hardcore become Stupid.")
I usually only bike 5 miles round trip. I've been lucky that the winters have been pretty mild lately. If it gets crazy, I "wuss out" with Uber.
Last edited by parkbrav; 02-28-19 at 03:55 PM.
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It ranges from "oh, man, that's awesome that you do that much riding!" to coming up with bizarre theories about why I do it ("I'm doing it for the attention" ) and just garden variety immaturity.
I had a tube mysteriously burst right after work at work one August day last summer, but the mechanic said it might have caught some glass and it was an old tube anyway
I usually only bike 5 miles round trip. I've been lucky that the winters have been pretty mild lately. If it gets crazy, I "wuss out" with Uber.
I had a tube mysteriously burst right after work at work one August day last summer, but the mechanic said it might have caught some glass and it was an old tube anyway
I usually only bike 5 miles round trip. I've been lucky that the winters have been pretty mild lately. If it gets crazy, I "wuss out" with Uber.
…I find the biggest negative view people have that gets to me is the idea that you're some how stunted or immature for not bothering with a car and license. It boils down to the fact that any deviation from the norm is going to be looked down on really, doesn't matter what it is.
I think my favorite thing as a commuter cyclist is the look on peoples faces when you tell them you rode your bike 15 or 20 Kms to work or a function (and enjoyed it!). A sublte mix of "I didn't know bikes were good for more than riding around the block" and some "you poor thing".
I think my favorite thing as a commuter cyclist is the look on peoples faces when you tell them you rode your bike 15 or 20 Kms to work or a function (and enjoyed it!). A sublte mix of "I didn't know bikes were good for more than riding around the block" and some "you poor thing".
...Bicycling keeps me immature......in a good way.
…My cycling lifestyle in many ways makes me feel somewhat alienated” (“immature”) in a good way from the usual American car-focused lifestyle, and I’m grateful for that.
My cycling reputation, mundane as my cycling might be to the hard-core cyclists, is always a source of amusement and conversation with my friends and acquaintances; e.g. in bad weather, “You didn’t ride your bike today, did you?,” or at fancy social events, “Did you ride your bike here?.”
Always asked with amusement and respect.
My cycling reputation, mundane as my cycling might be to the hard-core cyclists, is always a source of amusement and conversation with my friends and acquaintances; e.g. in bad weather, “You didn’t ride your bike today, did you?,” or at fancy social events, “Did you ride your bike here?.”
Always asked with amusement and respect.
Generally I get kudos or just indifference towards my cycling, mostly as a year-round commuter here in Metro Boston, even after my serious accident four years ago.
The most hostile remarks, particularly in Winter, are from those drivers who fear for themselves to hit me.
The most hostile remarks, particularly in Winter, are from those drivers who fear for themselves to hit me.
#44
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I got "oh you poor thing" for having to bike 11 miles in snow showers. I just brushed it off and said, "I've found that if it's not 11 miles, it's not worth doing." She didn't have a retort ready for that one.
Ahh, well, if the mechanic said it caught glass, then I suppose it caught glass. I suppose another theory is that it was a hot day and an old tube. I won't go through all the office politics on this forum.
Ahh, well, if the mechanic said it caught glass, then I suppose it caught glass. I suppose another theory is that it was a hot day and an old tube. I won't go through all the office politics on this forum.
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Winter is definitely coming to a middle here in Iowa. Temps are heading back into negative territory, with more snow predicted next week.
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Y'know, I've been aware of Pat Metheny forever, but I haven't spent a lot of time listening. I should fix that.
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Technically, Winter ends on March 20th. But a lot of people know, we still get snowfall in April.
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Well...end of season if you're in New England for sure....
But, I created this post to ask, "What's your story?" Just wondering how everyone has viewed their season thus far
But, I created this post to ask, "What's your story?" Just wondering how everyone has viewed their season thus far
I don'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.
…Personally the only weather I don’t like to ride in is rain, and no rain would be 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.
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.
By Easter, Spring is making itself known and I’m particularly ready for it.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-02-19 at 09:18 AM.