What did you learn about riding in the cold and snow this winter?

I learned the power of air pockets. My base layers have always been close to the skin, but I discovered that loose fitting layers over those provide pockets of air that mean extra warmth ... everyhwere: a quarter-inch air pocket at the end of my fingers, an oversized pair shoes or boots, baggy pants and a loose jacket.

I also discovered that an even stroke (push-pull) gets you through deeper snow better than an uneven (push-push) stroke.

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Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on April 26, 2014 at 4:24am

I learned even major arterial streets don't get plowed for shit west of damen 

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on April 26, 2014 at 8:29am

I learned the decision to hang my bikes up in December was about the best decision I've ever made.  #FuckWinter

Permalink Reply by David Beazley on April 26, 2014 at 9:59am

Curious about the Lakes... how cold did you ride with them and did you have to add anything extra (e.g., chemical warmers, wrapping feet in aluminum foil, using an extra shoe cover, etc.).   Could probably stand to get a new set of boots for next season. 

peter moormann said:

Keep a spare bottom bracket or 2 on hand.

Lake Cycling Boots are worth the $.

Permalink Reply by S on April 26, 2014 at 5:30pm



David Beazley said:

Curious about the Lakes... how cold did you ride with them and did you have to add anything extra (e.g., chemical warmers, wrapping feet in aluminum foil, using an extra shoe cover, etc.).   Could probably stand to get a new set of boots for next season. 


I've ridden them into the single digits and been warm with wool ski socks.  I suppose they would have been okay at lower temps but I decided that I didn't want to spend 80 minutes riding my bike into work and then another 80 riding home when it was that cold especially since a lot would of that would have been on the lakefront.   But I've seen reports of people being fine riding in subzero temps without issues and I guess you can always add foot warmers in colder temps.  The sizing is a bit off so I'd suggest checking them out in person to get the right fit especially if you can do so with your ski socks or typical winter socks on.

Permalink Reply by Drewbacca on April 26, 2014 at 6:34pm

I learned that I should have stayed in Seattle... LOL

I also learned that my jacket, which I normally sweat in even down to the teens if I wear too many layers is NO match for -50 windchill. Cut through me like a knife in one frigid blast.

Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on April 27, 2014 at 12:46am
I learned that my Marmot Windstopper jacket is an engineering marvel. I learned that with the proper tires, bikes can do amazing things in the winter. I learned that snow is one thing, but it is the ice that you weren't expecting or paying attention to that will get you.
Permalink Reply by Rich Aycock on April 27, 2014 at 2:13am

Studded tires are the best!

They make rides like this possible, my wife and I at Northerly Island next to the lake.

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on April 27, 2014 at 8:18am

I found out how deceptively dangerous the cold can be.  I've been riding in the winter for years, but found that -35F felt the same as +10 to -5.  Scary, when exposure at that temp can be so dangerous, but the difference was imperceptable.

http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/2014/01/in-what-hell-was-i-thi...

Marc

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