Winter 2015- who's still riding?

Traffic 'round these parts dropped off pretty dramatically a few weeks ago... hard to tell from the "I rode today" thread who's still riding, as one would have to conclude that Gene is the only one out there most days by reading it....

Who's sticking it out and plans to continue to ride pretty much every day regardless of weather?

(Was winter 2013;   2014 starts on p. 36;   2015 starts on p. 61)

 

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 26, 2012 at 5:41pm

Permalink Reply by Banshee: 12-15mi on November 26, 2012 at 6:10pm

Yep, I'm still riding.  Just got my new winter tires from REI with their 25% off deal.  Although I will most likely be doing commute only now.  As far as a roadie I am done till next spring, the bike trainer is out in the living room now.  :)

Permalink Reply by April on November 26, 2012 at 10:02pm

This is my second bike winter! I pulled out all my wool garments and will continue to happily travel to all my destinations.  Biking is SO much better than the crowded germ-infested CTA, or waiting in the cold for a bus or or train. I haven't driven in eons. I think I'll keep it that way. 

I counted at least 5 other riders today on my various tos and fros.

"The Revolution will NOT be motorized" 

Permalink Reply by April on November 26, 2012 at 10:03pm

+1

MagMileMarauder said:

I ride every day to actually enjoy winter, among other countless benefits. I often feel smug about it among the "I love Chicago, but I hate winter in Chicago" crowd :).

Permalink Reply by April on November 26, 2012 at 10:20pm

A big congrats to all the debut Bike Winter Riders!  Remember to jot down (or take a mental note) of the layers you wear and corresponding temperatures, it will help you throughout the season. Someone gave me that advice last year and it was a good one.  Forget cotton, stock up on wool and fleece.  The wind cuts right through cotton, and if you sweat you end up wet and COLD.  I made out like a bandit at second-hand stores last year for wool. I made my own legwarmer, boot liners and face warmer. A good windbreaker or wind cutting water proof coat is essential. I second fenders, also bright clothing since its dark at 4:30 (grrr Day Light Savings Time). Have fun! I will wave to all bikers on days ending in "y" :-)  See you on the roads!   (Here's my blog post from 2011 on everything I learned if you are so inclined:

I completed my first Bike Winter!)

)

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on November 27, 2012 at 2:44am
IT'S COLD OUT THERE this morning. Bundle up!
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on November 27, 2012 at 3:53am

I managed to wear the right stuff all around to be comfortable riding in this lovely brisk weather.  Goggles arrived yesterday and I was glad to have them.  BUT, how do you manage to get out of the layers fast enough once you get to work?  In the three minutes from the time I enter the building to the time I get into my office I am roasting despite unzipping, removing helmet, and removing gloves just as fast as I can as I walk.

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on November 27, 2012 at 4:26am

I couldn't agree more. I was talking about it with John, my bike repair guy and he mentioned, among other benefits, that he doesn't get sick as much when he rides in the winter. I connected the dots when I realized that spending less time in public transit germ incubators may help and the fresh air and crisp mornings along the lakefront are just beautiful. It got down to 22 degrees today but there wasn't much wind which helped a lot. Wool socks and gloves are a huge asset.

April said:

This is my second bike winter! I pulled out all my wool garments and will continue to happily travel to all my destinations.  Biking is SO much better than the crowded germ-infested CTA, or waiting in the cold for a bus or or train. I haven't driven in eons. I think I'll keep it that way. 

I counted at least 5 other riders today on my various tos and fros.

"The Revolution will NOT be motorized" 

Permalink Reply by Kevin on November 27, 2012 at 4:35am

It's my sixth Bike Winter, but my first ride to work since September 5 (back injury). Felt GREAT.

Permalink Reply by Carl on November 27, 2012 at 4:55am

I bike all winter, but use the train more, cause I'm a big wimp with cold. And on days when there's a lot of ice, I stick to transit. 

But there's places (typically peoples houses) that just inaccessible via transit - 70 minutes via transit, or 20 min via bike, and I will give up the warmth and delightful aroma of CTA and just bike it.

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on November 27, 2012 at 5:00am

Well, I am still riding. Still have a cold/flu that screwed up my Turkey Day.

 

BTW, if anyone sees a trailer attachment bar on Archer (south side of street), Halsted (East side of street), Jackson (South side of street), Jefferson (east side of street), Monroe (south side of street) to Canal (near the building with the wooden patio area)....please let me know.

It's for our family bike trailer. Was gonna have our building engineers fabricate an attachment for my Schwinn Frontier, and it fell off somwhere along my route to work.

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on November 27, 2012 at 5:36am

Still riding! This will be my 3rd or 4th winter biking. I was worried that I'd overdressed this morning but actually got it right - one of these day's I need to follow April's advice and write down what layers go with what temperatures...

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