I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on January 28, 2014 at 3:41am

Too true. I am downright giddy that they're predicting it'll hit 30 later this week. These days, it doesn't feel like "work" unless it's in the teens - twenties are just too mild for it to feel hardcore.

Not risking it today, though. I'll happily concede the bragging rights, for continued sensation in my toes.


Alex Z said:

Good on you for biking even yesterday.

 

I wonder if this polar weather will have the effect of making us all appreciate how nice temperatures in the twenties or even teens are, comparatively. Perhaps we will all bike more than we otherwise would've in those temperatures.

David Altenburg said:

I think I hit my limit this evening. The last mile of my five-mile commute was spent moving my goggles and balaclava around in order to balance my face freezing against my goggles freezing. I also found that slush in the bike lanes that I could previously just cut right through is now much more treacherous due to its increased viscosity. I'll be taking the CTA tomorrow. 

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 28, 2014 at 3:58am



Simon Phearson said:

These days, it doesn't feel like "work" unless it's in the teens - twenties are just too mild for it to feel hardcore.

You know it's been cold when you see the temp is 19° and you think, "not too bad."

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 28, 2014 at 3:59am

My experience with freewheels seizing up in the winter (a result of salt and crap building up I think more than actually freezing) is that it doesn't stop coasting, even when you want to pedal.

[See my no doubt tiresome by now recommendations to consider an IGH or a single speed for winter commuting].

Riding today didn't really seem that much worse than the 0F days I rode last week. My toes were cold by the time I got to the loop, but they didn't feel like they were in danger of frostbite. Everything else was either just fine or too warm (the core). I'm very happy with my $12 Bec-Tec gloves. The wife and I  spent a bunch of time at REI this year talking ourselves out of buying $100 gloves, knowing we'd possibly lose one before the season was over anyway. The Bec-Tecs sport 40 grams of Thinsulate, not the most one can get I don't think, but it seems sufficient if packed into a windproof shell. 

Roads on the south side remain pretty crappy.



Kelvin Mulcky said:

What happens when your freewheel freezes? Does it stop coasting?

Robert Underwood said:

I did ride this morning.  My freewheel froze again but not as bad as the -35 day.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 28, 2014 at 4:47am
I took Divvy half a mile to the 'L' and it was pretty brutal. Glad I wasn't riding the full five or so miles to work! I'm definitely looking forward to milder weather tomorrow and the rest of the week!
Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on January 28, 2014 at 6:20am

While riding my usual 8 miles to work this morning, a man in a pink jumpsuit flew past me on his bicycle. (I have an idea of who it was....)

No complaints. 

Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on January 28, 2014 at 6:48am

Yes I agree, it was lovely having less traffic.  I used chem packs in gloves and boots, and made sure they were really hot before I put em in.  After seven miles I was still very comfy.  But, a coulple blocks from work, I had sweat built up inside my ski goggles and it was freezing on the lens.  At the same time I lost vision through my goggles my freewheel froze up again and I had to ride the last mile with no goggles.  not too bad cause my face was really hot.  What are IGH freewheels?  I need to get something better.  the only difficult part of this morning was my freewheel not locking in place.  I tried to not coast at all but had to a couple times and each time it took me getting off my bike and bouncing it and kicking it.  luckily its not this cold very often or Id have to switch to fixed gear or... I don't know.  STUPID FREEWHEEL, I LOVE YOU ANYWAY.

Permalink Reply by Josh.E on January 28, 2014 at 7:04am

Well its either walk, bus or cab all of which would leave me outside longer then if I biked in.  So I jumped on Gary the Angry Yeti with his new studded tires and rode off into the cold.  It wasn't to bad at all since its only about 1.5 mile commute.  My fingers got cold about a block away but not bad at all.  The worst was when i was bringing my bike in I took off my gloves and grabbed the stem HOLY HELL was it cold.  

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 28, 2014 at 7:10am



Josh.E said:

So I jumped on Gary the Angry Yeti with his new studded tires and rode off into the cold.

I now have a front studded tire on the current commuter with a mate for the rear in the mail. I've been working from home the past two days (didn't trust Metra/UP North after Polar Vortex I), but tomorrow's temps and winds look more favorable, so hopefully I'll be back on the bike with no name.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 28, 2014 at 7:15am

IGH = Internally Geared Hub. There is still something like a freewheel in it I guess, but it is better protected from the elements (or completely protected in the case of a 2 speed) than the freewheel on a derailered bike. 

Robert Underwood said:

Yes I agree, it was lovely having less traffic.  I used chem packs in gloves and boots, and made sure they were really hot before I put em in.  After seven miles I was still very comfy.  But, a coulple blocks from work, I had sweat built up inside my ski goggles and it was freezing on the lens.  At the same time I lost vision through my goggles my freewheel froze up again and I had to ride the last mile with no goggles.  not too bad cause my face was really hot.  What are IGH freewheels?  I need to get something better.  the only difficult part of this morning was my freewheel not locking in place.  I tried to not coast at all but had to a couple times and each time it took me getting off my bike and bouncing it and kicking it.  luckily its not this cold very often or Id have to switch to fixed gear or... I don't know.  STUPID FREEWHEEL, I LOVE YOU ANYWAY.

Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on January 28, 2014 at 8:01am

I have a three speed IGH, but it needs to be overhauled.  Right now its to gummed up to use.  So my freewheel probably needs some cleaning, that's why its freezing up you say.  I think I could figure that out if I had the right tool to get it apart.  I wanted to do that on the last one but the lady at the LBS(work location) said just buy a new one.  So I did.  that was only last summer. now its probably gunked up already.  it was only thirty dollars but Id like to know how to take it apart and clean it either way. 

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 28, 2014 at 9:43am

Taking freewheels apart is more trouble than it's worth. I have a cheapo ultrasonic cleaner. A few passes through that, and it's clean as a whistle. After it dries, I dribble chain lube in from the back side. Good as new.

I've not tried an IGH in my ultrasonic cleaner, but I see no particular reason it wouldn't work, assuming you don't have any broken pawl springs or other parts inside. Probably need to take more care to make sure the water and gunk drains out of it.


Robert Underwood said:

I have a three speed IGH, but it needs to be overhauled.  Right now its to gummed up to use.  So my freewheel probably needs some cleaning, that's why its freezing up you say.  I think I could figure that out if I had the right tool to get it apart.  I wanted to do that on the last one but the lady at the LBS(work location) said just buy a new one.  So I did.  that was only last summer. now its probably gunked up already.  it was only thirty dollars but Id like to know how to take it apart and clean it either way. 

Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on January 28, 2014 at 10:12am

Ill have to look into ultrasonic cleaners.  I've never even heard of them.  sounds awesome. 

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