Commuting - Brrrrr, a chill in the air

Anyone else got the hankerin' Winter is just around the corner? I pulled out the tights and vests, just to see what shape they're in, after three seasons of commuting. Have three Balakava what else is there I need? I have my mind thinking about the wheelset, BB, studded tyres and surviving the winter on the back of the bike. Anyone else looking forward to the winter months and riding them out?

Naisme, you are what I think of as a true year-round cyclist. I like to think that's what I am, but in Atlanta, the "cycling season" runs from September through April, when it's actually cool enough to ride comfortably!

Happened to be out in the garage today and paused a second when I passed by the Nokians hanging on the wall, they did look kind of eager to get mounted and ridden.

Nokians are studded tyres for those of you who's mind went into the gutter after reading that last sentence ;)

I notice the birds are starting to flock...the beginning of the end.

I can't imagine biking in slush and snow and below-zero temperatures. Don't know how those Canadians manage it! :eek:

How can you guys think about winter when it's 96 degrees out? The heat index is something close to 105 degrees!

Something I noticed today, descending from the mountains back to the coast, was how warm it had suddenly become. Unfortunately, I think winter is history in this part of the world (at least for those of us who seriously believe we actually got one this year).

Birds flying south? The beginning of the end? Maybe for you but it's all uphill for us Floridians beginning around the middle of September. We don't exactly say there's a chill in the air but we can feel a difference we can't exactly put our finger on. November brings days in the low 80's with lower humidity. The breezes begin picking up. December it get's heavenly and the cold fronts start to arrive bringing just a hint of crispness and bright sunshine. January and February are fabulous.

Unfortunately, I think winter is history in this part of the world (at least for those of us who seriously believe we actually got one this year).

I know what you mean Chris, it hasn't really been cold down here in Tasmania this winter. In fact its been decidedly mild.

Who said global warming is a bad thing.
;)

I wish it would cool down here. Pass it this way. Its in the upper 80sto90s with plenty of humidity. Welcome to Minnesota.

I was just in our store today pricing new polor fleece and polypro and the nights are getting cooler. I would trade the snow anyday for our november to july wet season we have her. Thank God for polypro!:beer:

Thanks for the reminder, I've got to check into getting some Gore-Tex this winter. I've got a 10 mile commute, I want to stay toastie for.

Devster, where in Wayzata? I lived in Long Lake for a long while. My parental units are in Plymouth, so I head out that way once and a while. I'm in St. Paul. One of my fave rides is out Cedar Lake commuter trail through Hopkins where I get on the trail out to Victoria, then north to Maple Plain and back on the Luce line. Managed a century out of that last year.

well, here in Europe it doesn't seem much like summer the last few weeks - it's been rainy and cold for a while and hasn't been over 80F in about 3 weeks here in Munich/northeast Alps and rarely over 75F - today it's in the mid-50s(F)... the last week there has been heavy rains, flooding and cool temps throughout Germany, Austria, Italy, and much of China and Russia have also seen flooding.

friends of mine doing Alp Crossing trips now had to take a break yesterday b/c there was snow in many passes and peaks in Austria and Switzerland! i've had the tights on a number of times this August!! last weekend i even had my neoprene shoe covers on over my winter shoes with thick winter socks...

we had a some weeks of "summer" in May, June and beginning of July, but since then it's been April/October weather...

I charged my lights at the weekend (lead acid batteries)!!

Also looked out my autumn winter gear just to see what I needed to buy.

I certainly hope winter gets here soon. I like riding in 70 degree temps.

Carl

Here in San Jose it's been relatively cool all summer. It's warmed up a bit recently, though.

It's the light that's changed most over the past few weeks that I've noticed. Pretty long shadows cast by the time I get home. I've been away on vacation for about 10 days and I expect the shadows to be even longer on tonight's commute home.

My blinking front headlights will soon be set for full-time illumination, I know it.

The heat index is 100+ degrees today! Too hot to ride. I do miss winter too....but you will never see me on a bike...it's Gor-Tex and snowboarding time!