The Chainlink

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 Steve Weeks on November 29, 2013 at 9:11pm

If your double layer of socks are a tight fit in your shoes, that may explain the cold feet. Blood flow is what keeps your extremities warm, and if your feet are crammed in by the extra socks the blood flow is seriously compromised. You might actually be better off with just one pair of socks!

Steve

Nancy L. Fagin said:

 I do wish I had heated pedals - even with two layers of thermo socks the cold starts to penetrate off the pedals and through my shoes and then through both socks.  

Permalink Reply by DanGer 8.2mi on November 30, 2013 at 8:36am

you are correct in saying the cold comes right off the pedals. they conduct heat. i wired scrap carpeting to my pedals and it really helped to keep heat loss down. another solution was to cut plywood pedals and attach them to your regular pedals. i cut them larger so that my whole boot was able to push flush onto the pedals. it is never too cold to ride. whoop winter!

Steve Weeks said:

If your double layer of socks are a tight fit in your shoes, that may explain the cold feet. Blood flow is what keeps your extremities warm, and if your feet are crammed in by the extra socks the blood flow is seriously compromised. You might actually be better off with just one pair of socks!

Steve

Nancy L. Fagin said:

 I do wish I had heated pedals - even with two layers of thermo socks the cold starts to penetrate off the pedals and through my shoes and then through both socks.  

Permalink Reply by XndeX on November 30, 2013 at 12:30pm

I went riding last weekend and plan on going again today.
Probably going to wear the same stuff too.
I had 5 layers on top and 4 layers on the bottom.
Only weak spot I had was my feet.
Going to wear a pair of wool socks this time to see if that helps.

Permalink Reply by Reuben Hussmann on November 30, 2013 at 4:30pm

Oh my gawd...

I think you overdressed, just a bit for today.  It was GORGEOUS outside (light wind, about 48 degrees) - basically perfect.  I had on a long-sleeve t-shirt, a down vest, jeans, normal socks and shoes, my helmet (nothing for my ears or head otherwise) and a pair of fleece gloves.

Nothing more needed to be honest.

I hope you didn't burn up outside in 5 layers of clothes.

XndeX said:

I went riding last weekend and plan on going again today.
Probably going to wear the same stuff too.
I had 5 layers on top and 4 layers on the bottom.
Only weak spot I had was my feet.
Going to wear a pair of wool socks this time to see if that helps.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 30, 2013 at 4:34pm

Not enough people understand this-- thanks Steve.

To elaborate a bit-- it's the ability to move your feet/wiggle your toes that helps the fluid exchange.

Steve Weeks said:

If your double layer of socks are a tight fit in your shoes, that may explain the cold feet. Blood flow is what keeps your extremities warm, and if your feet are crammed in by the extra socks the blood flow is seriously compromised. You might actually be better off with just one pair of socks!

Steve

Nancy L. Fagin said:

 I do wish I had heated pedals - even with two layers of thermo socks the cold starts to penetrate off the pedals and through my shoes and then through both socks.  

Permalink Reply by XndeX on November 30, 2013 at 4:43pm

Yes it was nice out (better than I planned for)
My goal was to get a good workout and enjoy the ride.
I was able to do both. I live in the burbs away from the lake so it was a little colder.
Yeah I looked weird but I stayed warm and had fun.
Wool socks worked great no cold feet!

Permalink Reply by Reuben Hussmann on November 30, 2013 at 4:51pm

Hey- don't worry about how you look.  Comfort is the name of the game, especially if it gets you out and enjoy the time on the bike.  Glad to know you had fun!

XndeX said:

Yes it was nice out (better than I planned for)
My goal was to get a good workout and enjoy the ride.
I was able to do both. I live in the burbs away from the lake so it was a little colder.
Yeah I looked weird but I stayed warm and had fun.
Wool socks worked great no cold feet!

Permalink Reply by Andrew Wians on December 1, 2013 at 9:59am

My general rule for winter riding is that I do not ride when it has been snowing and accumulating for more than an hour before my commute or journey.  Days of active snowfall are the only ones I skip because if the snow itself isn't a problem for you, the ice and slush underneath created by plowing is.  On days where it's forcasted to snow, but hasn't started at the time of my trip, I'll still ride my bike and just throw it on the bus bike rack for the return trip if necessary.  The next day after snowfall in this city is usually back to business for me.  The city traffic overnight has most likely bored down to the paved surface again, and the salt/sand from the plows has melted any ice or at least created some traction.  With this plan, I successfully made it through the entire 2012-13 Chicago winter on my bike, using CTA only 7 days total.  Not bad, I think!  Also - tires with treads.  I really don't want to put the track bike away and pull out the Trek mountain but it's time - my one black ice spill spill last week needs to be my last.  And finally, layers! Important so that you can remove then as you get hotter (no matter how cold it is out there, you WILL get hot the longer you ride so layers are key).

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on December 1, 2013 at 11:12am

You probably could have ridden those 7 days if you had studded tires. Black ice just means you have to keep an eye on the cars around you. True, 7 days of round-trip CTA fare is less than the cost of studded tires. But the tires allow you to ride any day the snow on the streets isn't too deep to plow through. In Chicago, I find the snow is always plowed on the main arteries unless it's coming down hard during Rush Hour.

If you need a certain black ice spill to be your last, the only way that is going to happen is with studs. I've been using these for over 5 years and haven't fallen a single time. My fall last week (which also needs to be *my* last!) was on regular tires. I'm 63 years old and I use my hands for work so falling is something I don't need.

Steve

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 1, 2013 at 12:42pm

Allright, keeping in mind that we're talking about a luxury here that many can't afford....any ideas on what we can do to make studded tires more affordable? Are you willing to organize a group buy of some sort?

Steve Weeks said:

You probably could have ridden those 7 days if you had studded tires. Black ice just means you have to keep an eye on the cars around you. True, 7 days of round-trip CTA fare is less than the cost of studded tires. But the tires allow you to ride any day the snow on the streets isn't too deep to plow through. In Chicago, I find the snow is always plowed on the main arteries unless it's coming down hard during Rush Hour.

If you need a certain black ice spill to be your last, the only way that is going to happen is with studs. I've been using these for over 5 years and haven't fallen a single time. My fall last week (which also needs to be *my* last!) was on regular tires. I'm 63 years old and I use my hands for work so falling is something I don't need.

Steve

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 1, 2013 at 6:03pm

I thought about studded tires, but, as Andrew pointed out, he only missed 7 days last winter.  I think I missed a similar number.  In most winters, Chicago just doesn't get that much winter precipitation.  And when it is not icy and snowy, does one want the studded tires on the bike?  I really don't want to be switching out tires or wheels on a regular basis, and I don't want to decide which bike to ride based upon one bike having studded tires that I don't want to ride when it is not snowy/icy.  Of course, if this winter turns out to have a lot of snow and ice, I might change my tune. :-)

h' 1.0 said:

Allright, keeping in mind that we're talking about a luxury here that many can't afford....any ideas on what we can do to make studded tires more affordable? Are you willing to organize a group buy of some sort?

Steve Weeks said:

You probably could have ridden those 7 days if you had studded tires. Black ice just means you have to keep an eye on the cars around you. True, 7 days of round-trip CTA fare is less than the cost of studded tires. But the tires allow you to ride any day the snow on the streets isn't too deep to plow through. In Chicago, I find the snow is always plowed on the main arteries unless it's coming down hard during Rush Hour.

If you need a certain black ice spill to be your last, the only way that is going to happen is with studs. I've been using these for over 5 years and haven't fallen a single time. My fall last week (which also needs to be *my* last!) was on regular tires. I'm 63 years old and I use my hands for work so falling is something I don't need.

Steve

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on December 1, 2013 at 6:51pm

The studded tires I use on my rear trike wheel - and when I use to two-wheel it - I leave on all winter. When there is no snow or ice, the studs to not come in contact with the road, as there are no studs in the center where the tire meets the pavement. The studs are angled out at the sides. When it snows and ice develops the studs sink in and grab the snow and ice that is above the pavement at the sides. So, swapping out wheels is unnecessary.

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