Sixty Fiver

I rolled into work yesterday and my boss asked me why I wasn't driving my car... I reminded him (again) that I sold it in May.

He went on to say that when he was a kid they parked their bikes in the fall and then asked me where I lived...I pointed north and told him thirteen kilometers.

His reply... "f**k !"

(It was -17 C / 1 F yesterday)

The rest of the folks I work with, save for a few, thinks I am loopy to be riding in the winter and my ex things it's insane cause people are supposed to be driving when it snows and it's cold.

I am getting a little weary of the people who keep asking me when I am going to stop riding as they have already heard the answer which is, "when I'm dead"

On the other hand...my 10 year old daughter told me she thought it was very cool that I am still riding and that I was her role model for riding my bike, saving the environment, and for just being a good dad.

So who else is surrounded by folks who want to commit you for riding in the winter ?

unixpro

The racks I use are filled in the summer, but there are only 3 bikes there in the winter. An additional two people I know will ride when the weather isn't too bad, but their definitions are pretty loose.

I just tell them I'm stubborn. Nobody here would argue with that

biknbrian

I didn't mind it too much at first, but after a while it gets old. Every day the same people seem to ask, "Did you ride today?" and reply to my "Yea," with a "You're nuts." Yes I rode today, yes I'll ride tomorrow, and probably the next day and the day after that. Around here it's not even that cold out yet. "What are you going to do when it snows?" "Ride." Again "You're nuts."

Of course every time it rains I must have five people offer me a ride home. "Hey man, if you need a ride home..." I got myself here, if I can't get myself home then I'll stop riding.

ViperZ

Everyone at work thinks I'm crazy... I can't say they're wrong

CastIron

My boss about fell over when she saw me with the bike about 30 degrees ago. January should be a hoot.

tjspiel

I've been doing it a few years so most people at work don't comment unless it's really cold and/or snowy. However, on the elevator on the way up to my office it's a different story. It starts on the cooler days in October and continues all fall.

Them: "I bet it was a little cold on that bike today, eh?"
Me: "It'll be colder in January"

Once January rolls around people just stare, assume I'm nuts, and don't bother to question me on it.

oneredstar

I think most everyone I know thinks I am nuts for riding in the winter, even my girlfriend who understands my love of cycling. It is a passion that is hard to describe so I think it is hard for people to understand. Today as I was riding I had to adjust a few things on my bike and as the -34 celcius hit my hands I thought I was crazy, but only for a split second.

RT

I thought *I* was nuts this morning on the ride home at 6:30 a.m. Thirteen degrees and thought I was prepared. With glove liners and Thermalite gloves, my fingers still froze. Got to get that fixed.

metal_cowboy

It is funny to see the looks of my neighbors when I head out on a ride when it is cold, wet and rainy. They probably think I'm nuts: If only they knew what they were missing.

modernjess

I'm not. Many of my co-workers, friends, and neighbors are cyclists. A bunch commute and a few like me do it year round.

Maybe it's the segment of the community in which I live and work, they're seeing a lot of people ride all the time. They don't think I'm crazy, they're very respectful and in fact many admit being jealous that they can't do it more for whatever reason.

fatchance

It doesn't get much better than that

ralph12

People here, a lot of 'em, are just shocked to see someone enjoying riding a bike. I had one guy at the plasma donation center I spend a lot of time at, who I'd never seen before, tell me he saw me all the time riding around. I rode my motorcycle there that day (I don't cycle after giving plasma; it's too draining), and he asked why I bothered with my bike at all. Can you believe it?

I wouldn't choose to ride if it were anything below 0F. People here though are shocked even more than usual if I'm riding in anything but perfect weather, sunny and 70.

zippered

i work with a close knit team of people right now, and i understand why they would be concerned for my safety to a certain extent. whereas i do experience the same cycle of questions you folks are mentioning ad nauseum, when you work in a harm reduction/medical context you have to expect a certain amount of "risk assessment" from your peers! it does seem to quell some fears when i point out the efforts i have made to "ride safer" (as it were). also, when i point out the sheer amount of experience i have in 4-season downtown traffic, they understand i have a pretty good idea of what i'm getting myself into. thankfully i've found a mate who's as obsessed as i am about bikes, and is now also car free.

chunkylover53

For the first season or two people would stop by my office on cold days to see if I biked in or not. Now no one bats an eye when they see me.

I'm in Regina, SK and the last few days have been pretty chilly (minus 20-30 C). But I have to say I have never seen more bikers during such weather as I have this week. In past years I would hardly run in to anyone, but now it seems I see 6, 7, 8 on my commute. I don't know if it is the price of gas, emphasis on environment or what. Anybody else notice increasing numbers braving cold weather?

seafoamer

people thought i was nuts before I rode my bike to work in the cold. This just helps to confirm it for them.

nashcommguy

Yes, as gear improves and more info is gathered I've noticed a definate upturn in the number of people out for rides during cold weather. Recreational and commuters. It's probably a combo of what you said. Gas prices, enviornment, health, etc. Nashville, Tn certainly doesn't have the cold numbers of Sk, but there're still more cyclists this year by far than there were last year at this time.

sumguy

everyone thinks I'm crazy. Its too hot, its too cold, its raining....

squegeeboo

The first year I got some crazy looks and lots of ride offers at the start. Now, regardless of the weather people always just tell me "looks like it was a great day for a bike ride" because that's always my response.

dekindy

Everybody that went indoors at the end of October and won't be back out again until Spring.

chevy42083

I get a TON of offers for rides home when there's a threat of rain.
So far, no one has questioned the cold... then again... I live in Houston "Cold" is relative. I had to wear wind breaker pants and a long sleeve T-shirt the last time it got cold.

Reacker

I love riding all year round. Not just for the fun of biking, but also because people offer me free food and other fun things when I go to their houses.

rbrsddn

I admire you guys that commute when it's wicked cold. I ride the Mtn. Bike every weekend all winter with the studded tires, and can't wait for some icy snowy weather. I have a painting business, and need my van for work.