I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Sara Gmitter on January 3, 2012 at 10:35am

I sure did!  Didn't have to go anywhere yesterday so this was the first day it really felt like Bike Winter.  I stopped short of using the goggles and lobster claws today.  Balaclava and wool mitten/gloves were fine. Everything stayed warm except my right foot.  Very grateful for the sunshine!  And though I do want to encourage everyone to Bike Winter, I really enjoy not fighting for space at the bike rack.  

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on January 3, 2012 at 12:47pm

Good call, rascal. I had not given that consideration.

rascaltwitch said:

Be careful with your three pairs of socks. If they get crammed in there too tightly you'll end up compressing all of the little air pockets out of the wool and losing your insulation. One pair of socks with good room can be better than three pairs of compressed socks in tight shoes. 

Jim S said:

Yeah, this is the first time I've had to layer up really well. wicking base layer and TWO midweight merino mid layers.

 

Even with three pairs of merino socks, my toes got numb. I concede to the fact that regular gym shoes don't hold up over a long distance in 10-19 degree weather.

Permalink Reply by Matt S on January 3, 2012 at 12:55pm

Rode into work at 4:30... my eye moisture froze up on the sides of my eyes... it was a truly satisfying feeling to hear my co-workers ask if i'm crazy..

Permalink Reply by Jeff on January 3, 2012 at 2:37pm

I rode. I slipped on a railroad track. caaaarefull.

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on January 4, 2012 at 2:35am

Today I commuted by bike in January for the first time ever, and it was great! And to think, my original goal was to extend my normal season to Thanksgiving. I guess I picked a good winter to start commuting by bike year round.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on January 4, 2012 at 3:10am
Warm(ish) weather is back! A little headwind today, but nice nonetheless.
Permalink Reply by David Barish on January 4, 2012 at 4:20am

I had not ridden since  last year and had to get the cobwebs off the chain. little wind, little salt, little moisture.  Big delight.  The hardest part of riding this time of year is the reality that its dark on both ends of the commute.  That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on January 4, 2012 at 4:56am
Good job!


David Barish said:

I had not ridden since  last year and had to get the cobwebs off the chain. little wind, little salt, little moisture.  Big delight.  The hardest part of riding this time of year is the reality that its dark on both ends of the commute.  That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on January 4, 2012 at 8:08am

Salt...grime...sand from dipping off the LFP a couple days ago at North ave. beach. The old VooDoo was looking worse for wear. It didn't help that I sprayed WD-40 all over the drive train just before Mass...acting like a magnet for everything thrown up from the streets.

Well, I brought the VooDoo inside, from the closed porch, and gave her a rinse in the shower. This didn't sit well with Milagros because she just finished scrubbing the tub.

I used dish washing liquid and gently washed it with an old towel I ripped into wash cloths. I used hot water to rinse the soap and just threw away the greasy towels.

Thanks to Milly, we always have extra(old) tooth brushes in a jar under the sink. I used a spray bottle with some alcohol and cleaned the chain and derailleur.

I know there are "bike specific" gear to clean the chain as well as better lube...but hey, I take whet i can get at this point...and try to make it work.

Permalink Reply by Nick Butterfield on January 4, 2012 at 10:47am

get a chain tool, remove your chain, drop it into a soda bottle with degreaser and shake liberally.

S.Presley said:

Salt...grime...sand from dipping off the LFP a couple days ago at North ave. beach. The old VooDoo was looking worse for wear. It didn't help that I sprayed WD-40 all over the drive train just before Mass...acting like a magnet for everything thrown up from the streets.

Well, I brought the VooDoo inside, from the closed porch, and gave her a rinse in the shower. This didn't sit well with Milagros because she just finished scrubbing the tub.

I used dish washing liquid and gently washed it with an old towel I ripped into wash cloths. I used hot water to rinse the soap and just threw away the greasy towels.

Thanks to Milly, we always have extra(old) tooth brushes in a jar under the sink. I used a spray bottle with some alcohol and cleaned the chain and derailleur.

I know there are "bike specific" gear to clean the chain as well as better lube...but hey, I take whet i can get at this point...and try to make it work.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 4, 2012 at 11:05am



Cameron Puetz said:

I'm tempted to ask you a series of yes or no questions just to see how many of these graphics you have.



h' said:

That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Absolutely agree-- exercise in general is the best way to beat it. Never saw one bit of difference trying to use light.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 4, 2012 at 11:07am

And don't lube your chain with WD-40. It will attract every piece of grime within a 3-zip code radius. Treat yourself to a bottle of bicycle-specific chain lube. I use Pedro's. They're all about the same.

Nick Butterfield said:

get a chain tool, remove your chain, drop it into a soda bottle with degreaser and shake liberally.

S.Presley said:

Salt...grime...sand from dipping off the LFP a couple days ago at North ave. beach. The old VooDoo was looking worse for wear. It didn't help that I sprayed WD-40 all over the drive train just before Mass...acting like a magnet for everything thrown up from the streets.

[snip]

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