I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

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Permalink Reply by Tim S on February 24, 2012 at 11:55pm

CM tonight with a trip to the Bike Winter art show. Despite the short CM, good times.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on February 25, 2012 at 2:13pm

Two swimmers around 1:00 this afternoon.

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Permalink Reply by Gerry G on February 25, 2012 at 5:15pm

Holy smokes the water temp is freaking 33.1 F.

Can you imagine a blog for creatures who swim?

I swam today. Did you?

Nice catch Gene.

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Permalink Reply by S on February 25, 2012 at 7:57pm

No need to image. Open water chicago has swim reports with pictures and video. They've been swimming in the lake for over a month so far.

Steel Driver said:

Holy smokes the water temp is freaking 33.1 F.

Can you imagine a blog for creatures who swim?

I swam today. Did you?

Nice catch Gene.

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Permalink Reply by Gerry G on February 25, 2012 at 11:38pm

The Open Water gang is most impressive. Hats off to these motivated guys and gals. Thanks for sharing S.

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on February 25, 2012 at 11:48pm

Nice crispy night. Thank heavens for those hand warmers..

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 26, 2012 at 10:26am

OMG. I'm assuming they have some serious gear for this. Dry suit?

S said:

No need to image. Open water chicago has swim reports with pictures and video. They've been swimming in the lake for over a month so far.

Steel Driver said:

Holy smokes the water temp is freaking 33.1 F.

Can you imagine a blog for creatures who swim?

I swam today. Did you?

Nice catch Gene.

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Permalink Reply by S on February 26, 2012 at 11:56am

The post on gear indicates that they use a regular swimsuit under a triathlon wetsuit combined with gloves, booties, and a hood. That apparently works for 20-40 min swims. Scuba dry suits won't work because they're not cut right for swimming where you need a lot more freedom of movement for your arms than you need for scuba diving.

James BlackHeron said:

OMG. I'm assuming they have some serious gear for this. Dry suit?

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Permalink Reply by S on February 26, 2012 at 11:58am

Yeah, it just illustrates how regardless of how tough you think you are there's always someone out there that's doing thinks a lot more hardcore than you are.

Steel Driver said:

The Open Water gang is most impressive. Hats off to these motivated guys and gals. Thanks for sharing S.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 26, 2012 at 12:12pm

All the more impressive!

Seriously. I hate being cold but I can take it for short periods better than other people can. I felt that CCM was pleasantly comfortable last Friday when I heard others grumbling about it. I was only wearing silk longs with cotton trousers on the bottom, Silk longs with a cotton long sleeve shirt and a thin wool mid layer over that and a rain shell over that. I have more layers than that I could wear but I felt it was comfortable as long as I was moving. It's been so warm lately that I've really yet to pull out everything from my closet arsenal to ride this year. I haven't even put on my carhardt bib lowers when outside clearing the few minor snow storms this year. Good gear makes the cold bearable even when I hate it. Working in construction I've worked a few winters outside on a cold-windy deck of a high-rise going up. Still hate being cold though!

But there is NO WAY I'd be able to keep warm in the 33-degree water without a dry suit! I'm not much of a water person though. I don't swim much and only snorkel occasionally when on vacation.