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Spring is running late !

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Old 04-07-18, 04:53 PM
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ZIPP2001
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Spring is running late !

March saw us get 40+ inches of snow but with plenty of rain the last week and a half and a bright sun most has melted. So today we wake up to some snow and my plan to ride the road bike was put on hold. Not in the mode break her down and clean her after a wet ride. So it's off to my winter playground and get the 29 plus bike all dirty. I just feel better getting the mountain bike dirty over the road bike for some reason. Lots of trees down from the high winds we had the other day and hikers out and about on the trails.
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Old 04-07-18, 07:24 PM
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Yup, -20 to -25C here every night for the past week, nothing higher than -7C during the day. All the parks and fields are still completely blanketed in snow. The roads are pretty good / mostly dry, but going fast just means more windchill. Overnight lows are much warmer the week ahead, and might rise above freezing during the day a few times.
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Old 04-07-18, 08:27 PM
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I could have rode last night or tonight. I should have. But, air temperatures between 17 and 20 F with 15-20 MPH winds, gusts to 30 ... in April. No ... just ... No.
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Old 04-08-18, 04:47 AM
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Spring isn't running late, it's running away!
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Old 04-08-18, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by ZIPP2001
March saw us get 40+ inches of snow but with plenty of rain the last week and a half and a bright sun most has melted.So today we wake up to some snow and my plan to ride the road bike was put on hold.

Not in the mode break her down and clean her after a wet ride. So it' soff to my winter playground and get the 29 plus bike all dirty.

I just feel better getting the mountain bike dirty over the road bike for some reason. Lots of trees down from the high winds we had the other day and hikers out and about on the trails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4l_8aG0Dw8
Just today (April 8) I broght my carbon fiber bike out for the first time since December.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
… BTW,though I didn't ride today[2/27/18], I was thinking that after this weekend's heavy rains, the streets might be clean enough to bring out the pristine carbon fiber bike, in storage since December.

The studs stay on the beater through most of March.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
I'm here in Boston and I'm going nuts with this prolonged winter. Every week, I anticipate bringing out my pristine carbon fiber bike, and taking off the studded tires on my winter beater.

Today is April 5, probably the longest I have kept them on. For me, the crucial change to “nice weather” riding is bringing out the carbon fiber. The earliest I recall was about February 28.

As I note above, the studded tires are not that big a hindrance, and are quite durable when ridden on bare pavement. And as our Toronto frère,@mcours2006 notes,
Originally Posted by mcours2006
I'd wait a week or two. The risk/reward is not worth it.

With studs I may lose about 5-7 minutes on a 20 km commute consistently. Not a whole lot when you compare about wiping out. [Subsequently, on 4/6/18,]
Originally Posted by mcours2006
I should have taken my own advice today.There was a light dusting of snow on the road when I came out of the house withthe bike.

Contemplated for a moment but decided to go ahead with the tires Ihad on anyway. No problems but some dicey moments.

I've actually had them off for quite some time now, even though winter looks like it's sticking around. -7*C this morning? I mean, c'mon!


Last edited by Jim from Boston; 04-09-18 at 03:50 AM.
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Old 04-09-18, 07:56 AM
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Yeah, I'm still hoping for May to bring temperatures allowing for a tour in comfortable temperatures and not the craziest amounts of rain!
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Old 04-09-18, 08:40 AM
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this forum needs a like button
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Old 04-09-18, 08:49 AM
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Out here, spring ran through so fast we barely saw it. But we will have some cloudy days keeping it down to the upper-70s in the next few weeks, at least. By May, Summer is in near-full effect.

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Old 04-09-18, 10:44 AM
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Temp -6*C this morning as I left the house. Had to crack open a chemical warmer for the hands. WTF?
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Old 04-09-18, 11:18 AM
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Jim from Boston
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Spring is running late !
Originally Posted by DrIsotope
Out here, spring ran through so fast we barely saw it. But we will have some cloudy days keeping it down to the upper-70s in the next few weeks, at least. By May, Summer is in near-full effect.
Originally Posted by mcours2006
Temp -6*C this morning as I left the house. Had to crack open a chemical warmer for the hands. WTF?
I posted to this thread on the General Cycling Forum, I’m depressed
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
Originally Posted by dennis336
Two weeks from spring and we're getting a foot of snow (3/10/18) .... I'm so depressed.
Originally Posted by Rachel120
So all you depressed folks, I've just got to make it worse. High of 54, no clouds, negligible winds, zero chance of precipitation. Commuting to work is going to be a joy.
Originally Posted by OldTryGuy (SW FL)
just to add ----- in the upper 70's F and low 80's F yesterday, winds not too bad,got 126 miles done
Originally Posted by dennis336 (the OP)
I think this thread should be closed to anyone living where the temperature is over 50 degrees through March :-) ... I was feeling good about my Saturday (3/17/18) ride in the upper 30s and strongheadwinds :-(
+10 to @dennis336. There is schadenfreude (enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others...Merriam Webster), but those gratuitous remarks to a thread about Winter woes are…are…are...so....! And many don't even list their location.

Last edited by Jim from Boston; 04-09-18 at 11:25 AM.
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Old 04-09-18, 12:39 PM
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My forecast wasn't messing about-- it hit 91º by 11am, and... my body was not ready. I finished my 45 miles about half an hour ago, and I've already drank nearly half a gallon. My heart is still cruising long at a higher rate than it ordinarily would-- despite seeing the forecast, knowing the forecast, and even posting the forecast, I left the house with a single bottle on the bike and overcooked myself a little.

For full clarity, everyone-- in the span of 14 days, I rode at 16º in summer-weight bibs, and at 91º in those same bibs, but only took one water bottle. The weather may change, but I am consistently dumb.
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