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 Andy J on November 28, 2013 at 1:00pm

Nice ride up and down the North Branch Trail, until I got caught in the middle of a Turkey Trot by the lagoons.

Still trying to figure out how to keep my toes from freezing - do most folks ride with hiking boots or similar?

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on November 28, 2013 at 2:23pm

Thick socks and **loose** shoes!

Steve

Andy J (9.2 miles) said:

Nice ride up and down the North Branch Trail, until I got caught in the middle of a Turkey Trot by the lagoons.

Still trying to figure out how to keep my toes from freezing - do most folks ride with hiking boots or similar?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 28, 2013 at 3:06pm

I've noticed the same change. This is making it much easier to find a dock at all but the most popular stations (like Federal plaza at morning rush hour). Normally I use the app to check bike/dock availability before the start of a trip, so I'm rarely having any problems now. Still seeing plenty of Divvy-riding folks in the Loop and nearby 'hoods, just not quite as many as in warm months, as I expected.

Anne B. said:

I think I'd read that Divvy would be reducing their fleet (taking some bikes in for the winter) and it's really been looking like that at a lot of stations- like maybe even 50% or less of the regular amount of bikes. That or there are dozens of people Divvying on recent very cold days, which I'd love but somewhat doubt. Anyone else noticed this? Apologies if someone has already asked this elsewhere. 

I haven't had a problem getting a bike yet but a lot of stations I pass in the morning have just 2-3 bikes at them. It does make returning your bike super easy though! I don't have a smart phone so I usually just write down station locations on post-its. The bikes seem to be holding up very well- I've yet to have a problem with one and increasingly find their slowness and handling kinda comforting.  

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 28, 2013 at 3:08pm

I've had the same lobster mitts for a few years now. They're still in great condition and still insulating well.

Steve Weeks said:


Pearl Izumi "Lobster mitts" have worked for me down to -20F. They work even when they are wet somehow. I have at times tried insulating liners under them, but these don't seem to be necessary.

I've been out in very cold weather for a couple hours; my hands would be sweating through the gloves, yet they still keep me warm. They seem to have been redesigned since I bought mine, and they are a bit more expensive (I seem to remember paying ~$50 for them several years ago). See here: MITTS.

These are good gloves, but I think the "lobster" design is possibly the most important thing. The fingers are separated into two groups: the ring and little fingers hold the bars, and the index and middle fingers operate the brakes and shifters. Since there is less surface area than a five-finger glove, the fingers stay warmer. There might be cheaper versions, but Pearl Izumi makes pretty nice stuff; mine have lasted me five or more years.

Steve

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on November 28, 2013 at 7:23pm

They're pricey, but if you wear cleats, Sidi boots are fantastic. Other options are to wear shoes that are a little big, and do multiple sock layers.  Neoprene covers, and/or gaiters (Cabela's is a good source) help a bit, too.    

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on November 29, 2013 at 10:40am

week after next is supposed to be sub zero temps.. button up kiddies!

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 29, 2013 at 10:57am

And then a 5-week spell of unusually warm weather, right?
 
jolondon30 said:

week after next is supposed to be sub zero temps.. button up kiddies!

Permalink Reply by Fuegofan on November 29, 2013 at 1:48pm

I rode Wednesday and today.  Both days I wore too much stuff on top and got in really sweaty, but today my toes FROZE.  I think the bamboo socks underneath the wool one were a bad idea.  I'll try just the wool on the way home.  

I, too, am interested on suggestions for face protection.  I didn't need it this week, but talking sub-zero, sure.  At this point, I'm pretty committed to keeping on riding at least once a week like I do in the summer.  Keeping the toes warm, however, may be an issue.  

Permalink Reply by Reuben Hussmann on November 29, 2013 at 2:04pm

I'd like to double-up on that question, but more specifically wanted to know if anyone had a good tool or set of instructions to make my own loose-fitting fleece gaiter.  I find having something too close to my face gets me way too hot and creates unwanted iciness around my mouth/nose area when it is pressed up on my face.  For the same reason, I don't like balaclavas (I also find it makes my helmet too tight and uncomfortable).  A loose-fitting gaiter seems to work for me since I can still strap down my helmet, and allow the gaiter itself to fit over the helmet and even cover my ears if necessary.

 

I'd like to make a couple of gaiters on my own, but wanted to know if anyone had any ideas on measurements and if there is a certain pattern that works better to drape over the neck and onto the shoulders.

Fuegofan said:

I rode Wednesday and today.  Both days I wore too much stuff on top and got in really sweaty, but today my toes FROZE.  I think the bamboo socks underneath the wool one were a bad idea.  I'll try just the wool on the way home.  

I, too, am interested on suggestions for face protection.  I didn't need it this week, but talking sub-zero, sure.  At this point, I'm pretty committed to keeping on riding at least once a week like I do in the summer.  Keeping the toes warm, however, may be an issue.  

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on November 29, 2013 at 2:23pm
Reuben, we have so much fleece, plus patterns for balaclavas and gaiters. Check out the bike winter group or look in events for upcoming cut-and-sew parties, and you can make your own!
Permalink Reply by Reuben Hussmann on November 29, 2013 at 2:45pm

Ah- thank you, Sarah D.!!!

 

I'll go search for that now.

Sarah D. 1-3.3 said:

Reuben, we have so much fleece, plus patterns for balaclavas and gaiters. Check out the bike winter group or look in events for upcoming cut-and-sew parties, and you can make your own!
Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on November 29, 2013 at 3:16pm

Sure, I've been riding.  Not terribly far, but back and forth and back and forth.  Winter bike tights and ski snow pants, a Darth vader face masks, an "ear brassiere", etc.  If the snow gets too deep on the side streets, I get off and walk to a plowed street and voila - I'm off riding again.  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.  

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