Am I crazy!?!
 

Am I crazy******************************???

It`s now Spring, Sun is shining, temperatures in the 50`s, 60`s and 70`s!

AND , I miss riding in the WINTER.

What`s wrong with me?

Now, I just grab my biking gloves and windbreaker, and take off on my bike.

BUT, I kind a miss layering up, putting on my heavier gloves and balaclava, and heading out with the winter landscape of snow all around me !?

I miss riding around the lagoons in the local parks, with me being the only one in the park!

Now, I`m constantly saying, " On your left,... or Behind you"

It just seemed more quite and peaceful in the dead of Winter.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04122f8b3e.jpg

Yes, all the people out sure are annoying. In the winter there were a handful of regulars. But no half naked females in the winter, though that could be a bigger crash danger than ice..

I was also finding it easer to know what to wear in sub 30 degree weather.

I forget which thread it is, but there is a video about cycling in finland. It actually made me look into trying to move there, but I doubt I could learn the language.

The only bad part about riding in winter is deep snow and cars, they take care of both those things there.

Went for a ride today. 85 degree`s Hot , Humid, and Windy.
Made me wish for November!

When it’s cold I wear enough clothes to be comfortable. And, fewer cars as people are hunkering indoors. In the summer I get hotter than I can control. But I love the daylight in summer!

I rode to work the other day in the rain, with humidity off the charts. It was a hot, difficult ride. I long for the days when it’s about 20 degrees (F) outside. If I get too hot, I can unzip my jacket a little. If it is too cold, I can add another layer. The only thing I don’t miss is deep powder since I’m having a hard time figuring out how to ride through that to work.

Yup, same reason I don't run in the summertime. I usually start running again in the late Fall, through winter and stop around June, when we start getting 85 F + humidity.

Well after riding the last few weeks in stinking hot and humid weather, bring on winter! I got my first ever saddle sores thanks to sweating so much.
I could have wrung out my chamois and watered the lawn.

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I hear you.! This summer has been a hot one. I`ve been using Noxzema as chamois cream! And I`m getting tired of saying "Behind You" when I ride through me favorite parks. Looking forward to November.
But, lately October is the new September, and November is the new October, and December is the new November. (see where I`m going here) LOL

So busy on trails and such, good point.

Last winter was mild which is nice for riding but I’m guessing not for the environment which is a shame.

To be honest I don’t welcome winter. But maybe needing a long sleeve jersey and long finger gloves is the right balance.

I can't wait until this autumn and winter since summer riding is out for me due to overheating and breathing problems in high heat/humidity conditions. With the exception of a few test rides I haven't even been on a bike since last May. Of course I will only ride on dry roads as I'm now too old to deal with snow/ice.

Since it's now August First I'm looking into more appropriate cycling clothing for cooler riding as I'm trying to extend the riding season as much as I can.

I don’t mind riding in winter, but I think I’ll take summer over winter with regard to riding. Dressing up for, and undressing after is a PIA during winter. Summertime…just throw on your short and shirt and you’re out the door. Not to mention that the daylight hours in winter are greatly reduced. I’ll “light up” and ride at night occasionally…but I prefer riding during daylight.


Dan

The coldest temperature I've endured was -12C - there's nothing like a brisk morning like that to get the eyelids frozen shut on your way to work. Several cars pulled over to lecture me that "it's too cold for biking." Ha. Don't think so. My personal line is -17C and even then, I'd just have to re-think the wardrobe.

24 degrees this morning.
Not a cloud in the sky
No wind, perfectly calm
Still a little color in the trees
What a great morning for a ride !!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yes you are crazy. But not in a bad way.

Got in a nice News Years Day ride into today.

Wind out of the North made your eyes water, but I had the park to myself.

Made numerous laps around the lagoon. There were some stretches of ice that made for some "Pucker" moments, but all in all, a refreshing way to start the New Year!

Better than 90 degrees and a crowded park.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
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There are 3 ponds in town that I haven't ridden across, I'll have to try to get that in this winter. There are close together but far from here so I may load up the fat bike and do all 3 at once.

After it warms up, its been around -30C for a week and a half straight. Eyeglasses don't just fog up at these temperatures, they frost up which doesn't clear on its own.

,sometimes we have what is called "freezing fog". very dangerous driving. almost fishtailed into a dump truck on a highway exit ramp. on another occasion my ski goggles collected fog inside which froze & couldn't be wiped clear. had to build a small fire to evaporate it, so I could use the goggles again. eventually pulled all the foam inserts from the upper & lower vents, to keep the fog away

I was out in misty fog several years back, but wasn't too cold. Frost builds up on the leading edge of anything that moves, or the fog blows against. Makes for great looking frosty trees.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...90f72d64a2.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9864c46e33.jpg

After a bunch of indoor rides, the streets around town are finally clear of snow/ice/muck and I was able to get in my first ride since Dec 31. I decided that for safety sake I’m not going to tempt fate and ride if below 0C and any precipitation on the roads, but I’ll ride down to around -10C if not too windy. Feeling a bit like a wuss compared to previous years. Yesterday’s ride was -8C with gusts to 35, and I got turned around in a couple spots due to ice and re-road some of the same, safe routes, but it beat the trainer!

I`m starting feel Crazy!

It`s getting warmer, and there`s more people on the paths in the parks!

I`m already thinking of next Winter.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Here`s a couple of pics I took of the last snowfall of the year...........
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https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...42f9ade588.jpg

It`s now 87degrees, hot and humid.
Parks are filled with walkers.

Can`t wait for November!!

I've been doing rides starting between 4:30 and 6:00 am for most of the past 2 weeks. Quiet roads, enough light to see, temperatures around 4C to start and I can finish before the notorious daily spring winds kick up. In another week there will be no avoiding the warm weather.

Not entirely crazy. I certainly prefer riding in fair weather, but I do love certain winter rides. For me, the ideal winter ride is riding on hard-packed relatively recent snow without significant ice, with temperatures in the mid to high teens (°F). They involve a small but cohesive group of hardy friends and a great stop at a coffee place. Also, extra points for bright sunshine and not too much wind.

The problem is, that not every winter ride is that ideal. I don't mind colder temperatures. I also don't mind a little ice. But there are lots of winter rides where the ice is bad (or slush! yuck). or where the temperatures are low enough that it's pushing the limits of my gear. Or the wind is howling. Or there is significant ice accumulating on my drive train. Or....