Bring on the Snow!

I rode through the rain this morning and despite my coat flipping up exposing my knees to the wet, it was blast.  My current commute takes me up a small portion of the North Channel Trail.  It is amazing to be zooming through a forest and over a peaceful creek after only having minutes ago battled traffic on Milwaukee.  I saw a buck in the field along the path, and several does darted across in front of me.  Absolutely incredible!  I have seen deer before but have never been so close in such a tranquil setting.  

 

I noticed that the weather people are forecasting snow for Wednesday or Thursday.  It seems my first bike winter is beginning!  I am having trouble dressing for the weather, I keep anticipate being cold, wearing too much clothes and ending up sweating.  I'm hoping to get this skill learned before winters sets in.  I read some advice the other day, if you are not cold when setting out, you are wearing too many layers.  Any other advice for a Bike Winter newb?

 

Happy riding everyone!! 

 

April

 

Views: 1266

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 9, 2011 at 8:00am

No, but I like that one too. That's Martin Hazard from a few years back.

h' said:

Is this the one?

http://bikewinter.org/node/50

Julie Hochstadter said:

Iggi- where is that shot again of you in the trib during last year's blizzard?   

iggi said:

it doesnt appear to be a daily commuter.  id expect fenders.  tho this could be a backup bike.

 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 9, 2011 at 8:07am

Article here

Julie Hochstadter said:

No, but I like that one too. That's Martin Hazard from a few years back.

h' said:

Is this the one?

http://bikewinter.org/node/50

Julie Hochstadter said:

Iggi- where is that shot again of you in the trib during last year's blizzard?   

iggi said:

it doesnt appear to be a daily commuter.  id expect fenders.  tho this could be a backup bike.

 

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on November 9, 2011 at 8:33am

I think I am on Facebook too much since I keep looking for the "like" option here.  Thanks for the post Gene.  A lot of good information.  And I will be taking Dave's advice and getting ski goggles.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 9, 2011 at 8:41am

Speaking of ski goggles, anyone have any luck with motorcycle type goggles?  example here: 8)

 

Seems like it'd be less bulky, I dunno.  Bought a pair of cheap scattante glasses with interchangeable lenses, but I lost them on a cmass ride.  

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on November 9, 2011 at 8:59am

Dave,

I have used ski goggles in the past, but they fog up too much. Am I doing something wrong? Have a solution?

Gene

Permalink Reply by rb on November 9, 2011 at 9:29am

I broke down and bought the least expensive ski goggles that I could find @ REI last winter.

 

They made a huge difference- I now use them when I walk the dogs in tough weather as well. Great investment.

 

I have not had any fogging issues, I think there may be a fluid that you can spray on goggles to prevent fogging- but I have not researched.

Permalink Reply by Gin on November 9, 2011 at 9:34am

Someone mentioned Cat Crap at the Bike Winter kick off for defogging: http://www.rei.com/product/623337/ek-ekcessories-cat-crap-anti-fog-...

Permalink Reply by Gin on November 9, 2011 at 9:48am

Speaking of the BW kick off--here are Dan Korn's notes from the meeting. Thanks, Dan! http://bikewinter.org/2011kickoffnotes

Permalink Reply by Nançois on November 9, 2011 at 10:31am

Am I ever glad to see that's a product name and not what I am scooping every night at home. Someone mentioned it in another post a few weeks back, but I couldn't really picture how that would ever work!

Gin said:

Someone mentioned Cat Crap at the Bike Winter kick off for defogging: http://www.rei.com/product/623337/ek-ekcessories-cat-crap-anti-fog-...

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on November 9, 2011 at 11:38am

Last weekend, I just bought a Jandd Mountaineering helmet cover and a balaclava.  This combo should take me into some bitter cold.  Any helmet cover contributes to your warmth by blocking off the vents and creating dead air space.  This bright yellow helmet cover not only adds warmth, but visibility.  It even has a loop on the back for a blinker. 

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on November 9, 2011 at 11:59am

That is so funny Nancy!  I worked it into my facebook shout out.  (;

Nancy said:

Am I ever glad to see that's a product name and not what I am scooping every night at home. Someone mentioned it in another post a few weeks back, but I couldn't really picture how that would ever work!

Gin said:

Someone mentioned Cat Crap at the Bike Winter kick off for defogging: http://www.rei.com/product/623337/ek-ekcessories-cat-crap-anti-fog-...

Permalink Reply by April on November 9, 2011 at 1:29pm

Yay Bike Winter Newbs!  I wish us all good luck and adventure! 

To answer your question, yes my current commute takes me up the North Branch Trail.  This is just a temporary job though, so I don't have to worry about the trail come snow.  I might check it out just because though.

 

I've got some ski goggles--somewhere--I will have to dig them out. 

 

Is there a Chainlink group for Bike Winter Newbs?  I would love to exchange stories, struggles and discoveries!  I posted my first BW blog post yesterday.

 

Thanks so much Gene for that AMAZING tutorial!  It is extremely helpful.  I am sure I will reference it often.

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service