I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Todd Bremer on December 12, 2013 at 3:00am

I can't believe people ride in weather this cold. I have not ridden since October.

Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on December 12, 2013 at 3:12am

Rode into work this morning.  All the ice and slush in the southbound Damen bike lane made it a little challenging.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 12, 2013 at 3:25am

Yes!  First time I have ridden since Saturday and I am happy.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 12, 2013 at 3:28am

Woo.

Hoo.

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

Yes!  First time I have ridden since Saturday and I am happy.

Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on December 12, 2013 at 3:37am

Todd, there is endless amounts of information and inspiration for riding in cold weather on the Chainlink. Also check out http://bikewinter.org/howto. Riding in this weather is accessible to everyone, and a great way to chase off those winter blues. 

Todd Bremer said:

I can't believe people ride in weather this cold. I have not ridden since October.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on December 12, 2013 at 4:45am

I rode this morning. I'm not usually one to complain, but damn it's cold out there! Supposed to be 19°F this evening though, so looking forward to that.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 12, 2013 at 4:59am

BWAHAHA

<grin>

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

<snip> I'm not usually one to complain, . . . .

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on December 12, 2013 at 4:59am

:-)

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

BWAHAHA

<grin>

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

<snip> I'm not usually one to complain, . . . .

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on December 12, 2013 at 5:18am

Not today; I almost never ride on Thursdays. But ....

Last night on the way home on the west side of Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton I went down the underpass and saw large ice pad at the bottom. Trikes do very well on ice, so I went ahead in a high gear only to discover that it was ice AND water, 6 inches of water.


I made it half way through.


I cannot get off the trike to pull the trike out, because my feet would get soaked and I would not survive that ride home. I was in too high a gear to pedal efficiently. I was stuck.


Gradually I moved a few inches at a time until I cane to a big 4 inch block of ice that my rear tire could not get over. Now I am really stuck. Use my phone to dial 911?


Then I realized that I could step on the block of ice, pull the trike's rear wheel up on top of the ice and pedal forward. Repeat. Repeat until I found an area where I could pedal long enough to get into my lowest gear. That is when my studded snow tire that I just put on two days ago took over and I was able - ever sooo slowly - to work my way out.


Whew. The recumbent gods were with me.

Permalink Reply by Anika on December 12, 2013 at 5:36am
Yup - I rode but gave my kids a pass on riding to school today. It's just too cold for them when it's still nearly dark out when we leave. I did decide that 15 miles was probably good though instead of the 35 I was planning. Going to use metra to make up the difference.
Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on December 12, 2013 at 5:37am

The folks native to these lands survived this cold, so I should be able to, also. I look at it as a new challenge each day. For me there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. So, my challenge is to discover the right clothing for that ride. 'Tis fun and fulfilling to meet the challenge and win.

Chi Lowe (<12 parsecs) said:

It's crazy how when you just keep riding, and you figure out how to keep warm doing it, your worldview completely changes.  I used to have a 'cutoff' - weather conditions that I would simply not ride in.  Now I look forward to all weather.  I mean, I love sun and light breezes, but I look forward to rain, wind, and bitter cold too.  So liberating.

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on December 12, 2013 at 6:25am

I hear ya, Gene.  This is my 1st 'bent winter, so there have been "teaching moments" aplenty for me :). Studded tires are great (love my Schwalbes) on ice, but I find it still gets interesting going through snow patches, on a SWB 2-wheeler w/ USS.  No "un-do-able" conditions, yet, but really hoping things let up just a hair :). 

 

Gene Tenner said:

Not today; I almost never ride on Thursdays. But ....

Last night on the way home on the west side of Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton I went down the underpass and saw large ice pad at the bottom. Trikes do very well on ice, so I went ahead in a high gear only to discover that it was ice AND water, 6 inches of water.


I made it half way through.


I cannot get off the trike to pull the trike out, because my feet would get soaked and I would not survive that ride home. I was in too high a gear to pedal efficiently. I was stuck.


Gradually I moved a few inches at a time until I cane to a big 4 inch block of ice that my rear tire could not get over. Now I am really stuck. Use my phone to dial 911?


Then I realized that I could step on the block of ice, pull the trike's rear wheel up on top of the ice and pedal forward. Repeat. Repeat until I found an area where I could pedal long enough to get into my lowest gear. That is when my studded snow tire that I just put on two days ago took over and I was able - ever sooo slowly - to work my way out.


Whew. The recumbent gods were with me.

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