The Chainlink

more harm than good?

I regularly put my wet boots and mittens in front of a space heater to dry. I keep my apartment at a pretty low temperature, and often these things wont dry overnight, or I will need them later in the day. I know that space heaters are insanely inefficient. When I was at my office job, I would take a shower in the morning before work and again after my ride home. So I'm wondering: from an energy use standpoint, is it really better to bike in the winter? (My job involve biking at this point, so I have no other option, but I'm just curious in general.)

Views: 87

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on December 9, 2009 at 4:09pm
Don't lose sight of the overall picture, is my recommendation.

How do you propose to compare apples to apples for the "energy use standpoint"? I would expect you to need the aid of someone with an advanced degree in physics--possibly even another in statistics--to bring the equation into a realm of accuracy.

I say don't sweat the details down to the smallest degree; the logic leads to a slippery slope...
I counter that any minuta of excess pollution you may or may not produce by biking in winter is adequately made up in being outside and taking in the wonderful environment we have. The awareness such action creates is worth more than a few joules :)
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on December 9, 2009 at 4:50pm
Well there is the portable version thingie like this here.

or a highly rated multiple unit that is still pretty cheap and much lower energy use than your space heater this

Either way, or something similar, it is a lovely solution to your dilemna. Cheers - Lee
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on December 9, 2009 at 5:09pm
Why not invest in some waterproof boots and gloves?
Permalink Reply by DavID on December 9, 2009 at 5:39pm
Biking winter has its ups and downs, the right gear helps the most. I have been on it for over 5 years, and think it is almost always worth it! Radiator heat rules, but booties are awesome, fenders are your friend and use lots of lights for the low visibility...Ride safe, and save the icecaps ha ha ha
Permalink Reply by heather s on December 9, 2009 at 5:46pm
I have invested... I'm interested in new and better suggestions, but I'm working with a raincoat, rain pants, waterproof boots, etc. Is anything really waterproof when you're out for five or six hours?

Chuck a Muck said:
Why not invest in some waterproof boots and gloves?
Permalink Reply by Glenn on December 9, 2009 at 7:06pm
I'd say yes. I keep two pare of hats and gloves and scarfs. just for that purpose.
If driving was your other option that answer would be no doubt. As someone who practiced hypermiling (before my van broke down), I learned that your vehicle doesn't work even close to as well in colder conditions. the colder it is outside the longer and harder your engine has to work to heat up, and when your engine isn't at a warm enough temp it won't burn fuel as efficiently. And of course there is the traction issue when it comes to all the snow and ice. All that tire spinning is just a waist of fuel.
If you would take a bus, you would just be adding to the masses of people trying to crunch in to save them self from the cold. You would be adding more time to the bus idling and all that weight needs more power to move meaning more fuel.
Walking would be your best bet in my mind, but biking works just as well I think. At least that fuel is satisfying and each trip you take can be rewarding.

but I have yet to do any scientific experiments with this so I couldn't TRUTHFULLY answer you. Just an Educated guess :D
Permalink Reply by jonathan kabb on December 9, 2009 at 7:22pm
I'm sure everyone had some good insight here that I'm too lazy to read. Here's my take on it. Save the money up to invest in merino wool. Let's put it this way. If you must put on wet clothes to go out in the cold in, there is nothing I know that is better than merino. It's the only product that can keep you warm at all while it is wet, and yes, I know how awful it is to put on wet clothes and go out into wet cold weather. It can hold up to about 1/3 of it weight in water and still trap heat. It is a higher price point but can be quite versatile for riding and going out to a bar/restaurant w/o looking like your trying to run a marathon. SO, if you have to put on wet clothes, you want them to be merino. that includes socks, long underwear bottoms and your layering tops.
Permalink Reply by joe on December 9, 2009 at 7:27pm
i got some gear from rei. just an outter shell. for legs and upper body stuff..my gloves are just water resistant but dry just from hanging up in less then 30 min. shoe covers usually day really fast too.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on December 9, 2009 at 7:31pm
More efficient than what?

"A gallon of gasoline contains about 132x10^6 joules of energy, which is equivalent to 125,000 BTU or 36,650 watt-hours:
If you took a 1,500-watt space heater and left it on full blast for a full 24-hour day, that's about how much heat is in a gallon of gas."
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on December 9, 2009 at 9:20pm
I use my old Army issue wool gloves insert with the leather shell. I treat the leather shells with mink oil same with my Army issue leather boots. Have worked many of years in cold wet weather with this set up and have always come home with dry feet and hands.

heather stratton said:
I have invested... I'm interested in new and better suggestions, but I'm working with a raincoat, rain pants, waterproof boots, etc. Is anything really waterproof when you're out for five or six hours?

Chuck a Muck said:
Why not invest in some waterproof boots and gloves?
Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on December 10, 2009 at 12:32am
Stuff your boots/shoes with wadded up newspaper overnight-- it absorbs some of the moisture.

Space heaters are often *more* efficient, if you can keep the central heating at a lower temp by using them.
Permalink Reply by heather s on December 10, 2009 at 2:43am
Nathaniel D. Buckner said:
This is important because most bacteria that cause gnarly body odor need that liquid perspiration on your skin in order to grow. Thus you smell better in wool. Perhaps even causing you to need less showers. (I know, I'm a dirty hippy...I ride a bike...), wool also has the benefit of keeping you warm even when it's soaking wet. The key is to maintain a thermal layer (a pocket of air) that never exchanges with cold outside air. For gloves my Pearl Izumi Lobster Claws work really well and have been as waterproof as anything I've ever owned. I've been very impressed, but they ain't cheap.


I have the Pearl Izumi Lobster Claws, and they're great, but I wouldn't call them waterproof. After yesterday, mine were still wet this morning. That's why I put them by the space heater. As far as the stinkiness factor of different fabrics, that's not my top concern-- I shower after a cold ride just to warm up. Smelling better is just an incidental.

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service