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 daWillinChi on November 29, 2012 at 7:02am

I'd say do what you need to do. If you're still into riding when the really cold weather hits, you'll build your tolerance along the way and the next year you'll know what works and what don't.

My first winter riding, I had every kind of jackets I'd normally wear for walking/taking PT. Didn't work too well. I was always sweating in them when I biked. I bought wool sweaters from a 2nd hand store and a wind-proof shell jacket and that's all I need these days. I supposed when it gets colder, I'll bust out my thermals top and bottom (non-cotton).

I do wear a pair of clear sun-glasses to keep my eyes from blinking too much, or even goggles when it's snowing.

As far as head gears, right now I only wear a headband that covers my ears. I can still put on a layer of facial moisturizer for my face and do away with the balaclavas for now.

MagMileMarauder said:

Mask and goggles already?? I know a lot of the newbs are eager to use their new gear, but wait til the it gets at least in the high 20s-lo 30s for the mask, and teens or sleet/snow for the goggles! You'll build your tolerance that way, and it's not just me trying to be macho:) You'll know when that time comes when the real cold arrives. Also, you'll probably want some kind of wind-breaking material (or at least long-johns) for pants when you're in need for that face gear. Those two things will coincide, at least IMO.

Anyways, good job! Keep it up!

Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on November 29, 2012 at 8:45am

Still riding, will continue to ride.

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on November 29, 2012 at 10:48am

My issue is not the cold, its the dark.  Even with real good lights, it gets a little hairy.    As for glasses/Googles, I always wear eye protection.  I got hit in the eye with a rock many years ago and suffered a corneal ulcer.  It was nasty to treat and resulted in me having a small scar in the eye.    No thanks.   Clear lenses for me at night...

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on November 29, 2012 at 11:00am

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by James Hartman on November 29, 2012 at 11:18am

Just got back at 3:45 on Ambitious ride to the Wisconsin Welcomes You Sign. 6 hours elapsed time.

Lisa Curcio said:

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on November 29, 2012 at 5:19pm

I bought a CygoLite Expilion 400 lumen headlight last year for a little over $100. I like it, its very bright. The only thing I don't like about it is the usb recepticle cover which broke off. I covered it with electrical tape and I think that will remedy any potential issues with water damage. I noticed that the swivel anchor on the mounting bracket gets a little loose but that's fixed with a philips screwdriver, so I just keep that handy in my riding bag.

Also, I visited the Marshalls on Michigan ave. and got some really cool Smartwool socks and a pair of windbreaker exercise pants, both for less than $20. Now I'm really stoked.



Lisa Curcio said:

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on December 4, 2012 at 11:00am

The warm weather has been a nice break. The cold should be back soon enough so I need to pick up some lobster gloves on my way home today. I haven't completely figured out the right combination of clothing but I'm getting warmer. :-)

The dark is probably a bigger challenge. I upgraded to a USB-charging light so that I am more visible to cars on the the suburban side of the commute. I'm enjoying bike/train commuting in winter for the first time. 

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 4, 2012 at 11:05am

Good news!  The time of sunset today (4:20 p.m.) is the earliest for the rest of winter.  In about two weeks sunset starts getting later.  Of course, sunrise keeps getting later for a while, but somehow that does not bother me as much ;-).

Honestly, I am looking forward to colder weather.  These warm days are okay on the weekend, but it is really hard for me to adjust when all of my work clothes now are for winter.

Permalink Reply by James Hartman on December 4, 2012 at 11:13am

I bought a Urban 550 for $150 and while riding the inside popped out after hitting a bump. Light and Motion is going to give me a warranty replacement. Durability is a problem, a works in progress for Light and Motion. An Awesome Bright Light!!!!

Joe Guzzardo said:

I bought a CygoLite Expilion 400 lumen headlight last year for a little over $100. I like it, its very bright. The only thing I don't like about it is the usb recepticle cover which broke off. I covered it with electrical tape and I think that will remedy any potential issues with water damage. I noticed that the swivel anchor on the mounting bracket gets a little loose but that's fixed with a philips screwdriver, so I just keep that handy in my riding bag.

Also, I visited the Marshalls on Michigan ave. and got some really cool Smartwool socks and a pair of windbreaker exercise pants, both for less than $20. Now I'm really stoked.



Lisa Curcio said:

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by James Hartman on December 4, 2012 at 11:17am

I was racing the Sun!

James Hartman said:

Just got back at 3:45 on Ambitious ride to the Wisconsin Welcomes You Sign. 6 hours elapsed time.

Lisa Curcio said:

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on December 4, 2012 at 12:06pm

Yup. This time of year calls for good lighting. There's a reason why northern cultures hang up bright lights around the solstice.  The salad days of daylight riding from 5 am to 830pm are long gone.  I upgraded and just got a Niterider Lumina 350 for $90 at REI. It can be had for a few $ less on Amazon but I had a gift card at REI and paid Nuttin. I rode on low beam (125 lumens)this morning and had plenty of light. I will try out the higher beam after leaving the city on my trek home this evening. They make brighter models but that's more cash and really only needed for night riding in the distant off road hinterlands.   I like the idea of a rechargable light and was not ready to make the jump to a dynamo.

 

James Hartman said:

I bought a Urban 550 for $150 and while riding the inside popped out after hitting a bump. Light and Motion is going to give me a warranty replacement. Durability is a problem, a works in progress for Light and Motion. An Awesome Bright Light!!!!

Joe Guzzardo said:

I bought a CygoLite Expilion 400 lumen headlight last year for a little over $100. I like it, its very bright. The only thing I don't like about it is the usb recepticle cover which broke off. I covered it with electrical tape and I think that will remedy any potential issues with water damage. I noticed that the swivel anchor on the mounting bracket gets a little loose but that's fixed with a philips screwdriver, so I just keep that handy in my riding bag.

Also, I visited the Marshalls on Michigan ave. and got some really cool Smartwool socks and a pair of windbreaker exercise pants, both for less than $20. Now I'm really stoked.



Lisa Curcio said:

I agree on the dark.  I cannot wait until January when sunset will be back to about 5:00 and quickly getting later and later.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on December 4, 2012 at 5:27pm

Yep, the North Shore & Robert McClory bike paths were very dark around 5:30 and 6:00 this evening.  Deserted, too.  The only other living creatures i saw on the bike path part of my ride home were a couple of very startled rabbits hopping frantically out of the far edge of my light beam.

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