Noonievut

I live an hour outside Toronto and winter weather is generally all over the place. If we consistently had snow for 3+ months I would get a fatbike, but that doesn’t happen. So I rent occasionally.

What I do though, is watch the weather closely and ride as much as I can. In the other three seasons I usually ride every other day. In winter, I may ride 7 days in a row, sometimes more than once a day. I know the area roads so well that depending on snow on the ground, I plan my routes to avoid bad roads and will ride back and forth on a clear 5k stretch multiple times to get an hour or so of riding.

I love the additional planning needed this time of year; the multiple clothing options; running a half frame bag with extra layers; riding before 6am if rain or snow are forecasted later in the morning, riding alone on a dark road with just me and my bike lights; little bit of extra bike care needed; boiling the kettle and mixing hot and cold water in my bottle to hold off the ice as long as possible; and, really appreciating any and all winter rides.

Anyone else ‘more’ addicted to cycling this time of year?

wolfchild

I've been addicted to winter cycling since 2007. It never gets old, it's always exciting especially when there is a lot of ice.

rumrunn6

a trace of snow, makes nite rides, a little brighter. haven't enjoyed that combo yet this year. there was a cold drizzle last night & squashed any thought of going out after getting home from work

but yeah winter riding can be adventurous

GrainBrain

I love winter riding, but only now after a decade of semi serious cycling. Takes a bit of $$ in gear to enjoyably tackle anything over an hour in sub freezing, ice-snow. Dedicated snow bike, good clothing.

rumrunn6

who can resist an easy trail w/ a light coating of snow? riding is waaay better than staying inside

ZIPP2001

Love every bit of Winter riding, and the woods are a whole different world during Winter.

Looking over my playground

Out in the sand pit

rumrunn6

gorgeous, those are framers!

more fun to come this week I think. I'd ride again today but gotta run to work. have fun!

gecho

January weather has been unusually good this year with the daytime highs mostly warmer than -10C with few windy days. Up until today I only had 3 non-riding days for the month, was at a 9 day riding streak and broke my January distance PR already. Blowing snow today so my streak might come to an end. Hard to ride while its snowing with glasses as the snow melts on your face and they fog up. Also the wind will be gusting to 80 km/h. But the forecast has the wind dying down in the evening, so I might be able to get out for a few hours. I'm trying to get to 1,000 km on my fat bike this month, but it could be close with colder weather moving in.

MNBikeCommuter

More power to those of you addicted to winter biking. Each winter feels a little more challenging after starting winter biking 30 years ago. The logistics have been wearing, and fretting about road conditions, and how to dress, and the length of time it takes to get ready compared to "shorts and jersey and go!" But, I keep plugging away at it.

We're at our 4th highest snow total for this winter to date. That dropped my Dec miles a bit, but January is above average. My routes are down considerably but I have a couple of good ones still available with county roads with cleared, decent shoulders. I should hit 500 miles on today's ride. The next 10 days will be a challenge--both mentally and physically, with days of -5F to 10F for highs. My limits are about an hour for such temps, when I get out. If it were a 2-3 day stretch, I'd be content just to wait it out, but this stretch is looking too long for that.

Daniel4

Took my first fat bike ride of the year yesterday.

rumrunn6

been there, done that, took the glasses off & had to withstand blizzard in eyes. don't ever want to do that again

yikes today looks like an early spring day!

GrainBrain

I bought a cheap pair of these goggles, absolutely life changing for winter. $30.

https://www.100percent.com/collections/strata-2

Ghazmh

It sure is fun.

blurcovenky

My faithful Bridgestone MB-5


'Coffee Outside' - Every Sunday morning in NE Mpls. Organised by Recovery Bike Shop.

FREEBIRD1

A nice day for a ride in the park 6° F , had to stop for water I was getting thirsty.

rumrunn6

did you ride that bridge? looks super sketchy. hard to resist, I'm sure. been rethinking my own raised boardwalk winter fun. so far I haven't gone over the edge

Ghazmh

I did. There are narrow planks in the center section. Honestly it was uneasy because I realized if I needed to put a foot down there would be a good chance I’d slip on a rail or my foot would go right between the ties. I walked on the return crossing.

canalligators

Not a lot of winter in upstate NY either. Able to ride almost daily, though I don’t get out as often as I should.

I like the crank forward type for winter. I can get my feet down quickly. Ice Spiker tires complete the package.

noglider 

I envy you guys. I tolerate low temperatures better than the average person, but I don't enjoy winter cycling much. Sometimes it's better than walking, driving, taking the subway, whatever, but I don't often have a great time. One problem is that type of winter we get in New York. It is often slushy or icy, and we never get hardpacked snow. Also we don't have many quiet places to ride. And traffic is insane, so with the lanes narrowed by plowed snow or slush, it's too damned dangerous. I generally avoid riding when traction is compromised.

Maybe I'll take a trip to Minneapolis in the winter one of these years. My spouse will absolutely not join me.

rumrunn6

was lying on the couch last night, after dinner, thinking to myself I should be riding. but I could have grabbed any one of several excuses, not to. then I reminded myself, these opportunities are fading. get yer butt out there

glad I did, cuz it was an opportunity for a night ride, over snow