Who will/has ridden when it is -13 with wind chill of -40?

How will/have you done it?  I no longer debate with myself whether to ride when it is -1 or -2 and the wind chill is *only* -10 to -15, but I have been debating with myself about Monday and Tuesday riding.  So far the "Are you crazy" side is definitely winning, and I am leaning to waiting until it warms up to -1 on Wednesday before I ride again.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 4, 2014 at 9:10am

Side streets clear and dry--not looking too good.  My side streets are not even close to clear and dry now, and the forecast at the moment is for 5 to 10 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow evening.  I wonder if the side streets will be clear and dry before March. ;-)

It is the wind, though, that most concerns me.  I can pretty easily get to Milwaukee, and then there are usually just a couple of iffy spots on the roads.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 4, 2014 at 9:22am

I have been riding year-round for 20+ years and that has not caused me to lose my joy of cycling. I love the challenge, enjoy having the lakefront trail to myself and relish the feeling of accomplishment from winning the weather battle ... without snowing on others' parades.

Jimmy Baham said:

 Why bother? Unless you are being paid to ride your bike what's the point? One of the greatest things about riding a bike is the feeling of freedom. How free are you going to feel with 40 lbs of clothing, goggles, balaclava, two hats and four pairs of gloves? It's just gonna suck and at the end you'll end up hating bike riding and or developing an unhealthy jealousy towards auto drivers in their climate controlled interiors. 

Permalink Reply by Thinman on January 4, 2014 at 10:25am

If you are debating riding when the temps are below zero, don't ride.  While it takes more work, it also requires some dedication and a very positive attitude.  Don't worry about it.  Get back on the saddle and ride as soon as the temperatures go up again....(hopefully by March).

Gene, you won't be alone out there on the lakefront trail.  Just waive if you pass me.

My only concern is navigating the gravel section of the trail south of Fullerton.  Since the Park District has decided not to plow the sidewalk along the water, the gravel path has become almost impassable on the bike.  With another snow fall tonight and tomorrow, it will be a significant challenge on Monday and I am considering getting off the lakefront at Fullerton and riding streets south instead.   

So the Park District has a new plowing policy.  They just dump large amounts of snow on areas of the path they don't want to deal with.  I noticed the lakefront trail closed off at the Oak Street curve also. (They used to put up barricades and leave them there all winter.  At least you could ride around the barricades when the path was passable)  This pushes more people out on the streets.  Is the city trying to tell us where to ride and when?  

Will the city have people on the Lakefront Trail at Fullerton and Oak Street collecting bicycle taxes next!!!

Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on January 4, 2014 at 10:28am

I've done it at -15, just to see if I could, but that was close to 20 years ago. Metal makes all kinds of strange noises at those temps. I believe my chain was telling me I was an effing idiot. After that, +5 became my cut-off until 2012. Then I said, "screw winter riding".

Permalink Reply by Jenny on January 4, 2014 at 10:41am

I was planning to ride.  Will wear a neck gaiter in addition to balaclava and earmuffs, heavy boots, and plastic bags in my lobster gloves, maybe.  I would have 3 trips to make and the longest leg of my commute would be about 4 miles, so I don't have far to go.

I usually park my bike outside, though.  It's a covered area, and sheltered from the wind, but it's definitely outside.  Do you guys think I should find a way to bring the bike inside?  I've never had a problem before, but it's never been this cold...

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on January 4, 2014 at 10:49am

The more I think about it the more I feel like going for a ride on Monday. For what it's worth a lot of you are an inspiration. Except h'. Haha j/k!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 4, 2014 at 11:14am

True about the distances!  All winter I have said it is no problem to ride 4 miles when it is zero but I don't know how I would feel about it if that was 10.  As to your eight blocks, I hope you will at least wear a sweater and long pants. :-)

h' 1.0 said:

This is one of those discussions that becomes rather useless whan we don't know what sorts of distances we're talking about here.  Extreme cold is not a factor on my own commute at all.  I could probably ride the 8 blocks wearing running shorts and a tank top without any permanent damage..... and if not, there's an emergency room very close to where I park my bike :-)

Permalink Reply by JohnO on January 4, 2014 at 4:47pm

A few years ago I remember a particularly cold sub zero commute (3 miles). It was eerily quiet out - I think at that temperature there's some physical change in the air that affects transmission of sound waves. It was peaceful. Summiting the bump on Halstead over the Metra tracks and seeing each skyscraper blowing out its cloud was serene.

But then it was still. The wind on Monday worries me. I won't be riding.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on January 4, 2014 at 6:34pm

I stick by what I say. Everyday on a bike. Yes...everyday, regardless of weather.

Permalink Reply by DanGer 8.2mi on January 5, 2014 at 3:49am

I won't ride to work because it is just too dangerous. I will ride somewhere just to see what the cold feels like. When it is 100 degrees and 100% humidity it will be my new 'happy place'.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 5, 2014 at 3:50am

I think the larger problem will be snow that won't be plowed by morning.  Riding home yesterday after three along the lake snow was already starting to overtake the salt.

Permalink Reply by rik on January 5, 2014 at 4:34am
Monday would be a good day to wear motorcycle helmet with a full face shield.

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