mcours2006

...and we're just about half way through. The constant threat of snow, extreme cold temperatures, and nasty NW wind is making bike commuting very dreadfully difficult and stressful. I've run out of chemical warmers for my toes. I had to pick up an extra set of studded tires so that I'd have a second set to ride to work the next day if I had to leave the primary one at work due to the weather. And I'm just tired of riding on studs. I just picked up a pair of winter cycling boots to help with the cold toes. The battery on my lights and camera don't last too long because of the extreme cold. I hate having to wear goggles. I'm having to spray down/dry/lube my bike multiple times a week.

This has been a bad winter so far.

Just wanted to rant a bit.

Carry on.

odiolalluvia

Just remember, a meteor or nuclear bomb or giant earthquake could kill us all at any moment and then you wouldn't have to deal with winter anymore. So have hope!

JonathanGennick 

Things got to me today as well. A warm spell would improve my mood immensely. Even some sunshine....

Marcus_Ti

Any time you get to ride a bike outside, is a good thing.


Had a 10C above day today (afer a week of -5C to -15C) and sure as heck got out and enjoyed it before -10C all next week.

mcours2006

Tru dat!

Marcus_Ti

When I rode in on Thursday it was -14C outside. After a 35minute commute my Metal Bike was ofc -14C thereabouts..




Well funny thing. I work in a climate controlled facility with anal humidistats keeping the building at 50% stable RH. Well... The warm humid air of the building touched my bike...it didn't condense into water, it desublimated straight from vapor to ice crystals. .

52telecaster

been cold here too but not like it is for you guys. i have found 0 degrees Fahrenheit to be my limit. but even when its 20 or so i dont feel like riding after i get home. kinda sucks.

prairiepedaler

Winnipegger here. Nuff said.

seafood

I'm enjoying the crisp air, though admittedly, our temperatures here in NYC haven't been that bad. I'm mainly looking forward to when we start to feel more light. But all in all, I think we're over the hump. Those first spring days, when you know it's all warmth and sunshine from there, are going to feel sooo good!

mcours2006

...on the bright side the days are getting longer.

BobbyG

Yeah, but don't it make you feel alive?

Bikewolf

We all know the feelin’.

(Only 27 hours of sun last month makes me consider adding mood lights.)

Especially in winter I believe it is important to equally take care of yourself / have fun in between rides, in order to recharge your body mentally too. E.g. more treats :-)

BobbyG

Everybody always talks about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it.

Papa Tom

I envy any of you who are tough enough to commute through the winter. I'm a New Yorker and I put the bike away sometime in early November every year. Riding in the cold just doesn't work for me. The mild weather loosens up my bad back when I'm on the bike, but riding in the cold makes it MUCH worse, even debilitating.

The other, even bigger problem is the lack of street lighting around my neighborhood during the dark-morning months. I have a very good set of lights, but the combination of darkness, frozen windshields, and drivers with smartphones is a recipe for death during the winter.

It will be over before you know it.

Marcus_Ti

LOL...want to see the forecast for the next 2 weeks?

Our drowsy rodent friend is probably right ab out another 2 months of this stuff.

mcours2006

Sure we are; we're complaining/commiserating about it.

baldilocks

Around here, it looks like the temps will hit 36 and over on the 19th. I rode to work yesterday. Then it dumped a bunch of snow on us and I will probably wait for a melting before riding to work again. Might make a trip to the store before then depending on the roads.

Dark Arrow

Not that it helps mate,,, but it is the middle of summer down here

sweeks

It's not the winter, per se, that gets me down this year. It's the sprained ankle/broken fibula that's keeping me from bearing any weight on my (right, of course!) leg for 3 more weeks...

Crikey! But at least we don't have to worry about being gobsmacked by boomers crossing the road!
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...b00d0de223488c
Steve

bikemig 

This is the first winter I have not commuted in a couple of years. It feels weird. I'm planning on doing better next year!

Marcus_Ti

Hey, it might almost get to freezing tomorrow. Perfect opportunity!

bikemig 

perfect opportunity to rebuild my winter bike? I made the mistake of taking it apart just before the deep freeze hit earlier this year. I haven't gotten around to rebuilding it!

s0rce

Come visit me? It was sunny and 70+F in the SF Bay Area today.

Isolation

I haven't seen dry roads since November.

mcours2006

Took five minutes to get 200 meters from my home on a side street to a main road just to find that it's also snow/ice covered. I'd have to have been riding on one of the tire tracks that are clear of snow but is icy. Turned back around. Wasted chemical hand warmer!

So, taking the car today.