Commuting - 20 mile detour this morning for 30 miles total trip in

Some friends and I (one of whom I met on my commute) have started riding a fast 20 mile loop before our actual commutes on Wednesday mornings. I drop the backpack in the bushes at a church and pick it up after the loop. This morning was cold but fast as we suffered along at 23-27 mph in the dark with our blinkies and lights. Group rides are a little scarier in the dark.

Anybody else grabbing extra miles on their commutes?
How are you dealing with the oncoming colder weather and darkness?

Nice. I've done a loop of Central Park on the way home here and there but for the most part I don't have time for extra miles (12 hour days blow donkeys).

I've winter commuted before and was riding through last winter so I'm all set for and fear not the cold. I think I may need some warmer or windproof tights, though, because it will be coooold at 6:15AM in January at which point my commute might extend (office moving) to 12+ miles each way along the Hudson (==> windy).

As for darkness? I keep refreshing the FedEx tracking page for the 30W light I ordered from Performance... can't get here soon enough for me (I will definitely take a break from work to play with it when it arrives!).

[QUOTE=oboeguy]

I've winter commuted before and was riding through last winter so I'm all set for and fear not the cold. I think I may need some warmer or windproof tights, though, because it will be coooold at 6:15AM in January at which point my commute might extend (office moving) to 12+ miles each way along the Hudson (==> windy).
QUOTE]

What about that idea of just getting another pair of tights or leg warmers and doubling them up. That is what I am considering.
Hope that light gets to you soon.

Home to office, shortest route on highway, is 5 miles. I prefer to take a non-highway route of 10 miles, but I've taken up to 40 miles to get here.
Usually don't get to bike in unless I'm working on a weekend.

Too early to think about breaking out the arm warmers, leg warmers and extra layers.

[QUOTE=oboeguy]

I've winter commuted before and was riding through last winter so I'm all set for and fear not the cold. I think I may need some warmer or windproof tights, though, because it will be coooold at 6:15AM in January at which point my commute might extend (office moving) to 12+ miles each way along the Hudson (==> windy).
QUOTE]

What about that idea of just getting another pair of tights or leg warmers and doubling them up. That is what I am considering.
Hope that light gets to you soon.

Heh, I already do that and get cold in the middle of a winter day after an hour so I figure in the early AM I will not be happy without something a little warmer. Yeah, Polypro/Lycra tights over shorts with leg warmers is what I do. I'm thinking something windproof is the next addition to my riding wardrobe.

a windproof shell seems to be good for an extra 20 degree in my experience, more if its windy. A light weight fleece jersey and a windproof shell was good enough for me to 10 degree. There was ice under the shell on the outside of my fleece from my persperitation but I didn't feel cold. My face and lungs were a different story.
Craig

a windproof shell seems to be good for an extra 20 degree in my experience, more if its windy. A light weight fleece jersey and a windproof shell was good enough for me to 10 degree. There was ice under the shell on the outside of my fleece from my persperitation but I didn't feel cold. My face and lungs were a different story.
Craig

Thanks Craig. I have a good PI shell but it is not as breathable as I would prefer. It really works in the cold but anything about 40 degrees is too warm for the jacket. I just bought a vest and think it holds some real potential with the right layers underneath.

For me, the hardest area to keep warm has been my lower body. The solution I found was some cross country skiing pants by Sporthill. These have kept me warm at night for 20+ miles with a 0F windchill (not including the fact that I was moving 15-20mph).

You sustain 23 - 27 mph? OMG thats fast!!! :eek: I usually push along at 20mph by myself. Maybe it's faster to ride in a group? I don't know, but I'm impressed.

On evenings that I have nothing going on, I throw in 'extra' miles to my ride home (14 miles one way) usually 2-10 miles extra depending on how I feel. On the Days my wife takes me to work (to bring my 'work' clothes for the week) I always ride a longer route home.