Commuting - Extreme commute club: week 3

I decided to create a "storm bike" for the winter months. A couple of times during the last three winters, I got caught in nasty blizzards. Around here, a blizzard usually includes very heavy, wet snow. The cogset gets covered in slush and ice, so you can't change gears. Also, the rims get so wet and icy that the brakes won't work either. I usually had to brake using the hell of my shoe against the back tire :eek: .

So, my storm bike is an old Schwinn LeTour that I have converted to a fixie. It's a really fun bike to ride as a fixie. I have but a big Nokian studded tire on the front and a Tioga Bloodhound tire on the back. No brakes (since they don't work in those conditions anyways), I just put back pressure on the pedals to stop. I have clips on platform pedals, so I can where warm and high winter boots.

This will be the bike I take when there is a serious storm either happening or in the forecast. I figure that I will take it to work maybe two or three times a year. I will, of course, take it for rides just for fun after a big snowfall. For the rest of the winter, I will be riding the recumbent.

Do you have a bike for the extreme conditions other than your regular commuter? Or do you stick with the old faithful? This is the first year I have a special storm bike. In past years, I rode a cyclocross no matter what the weather. I had three different front wheel I would swap out according to the weather.

My extreme conditions are intense heat and hills (here I go again!) and that's why I got the electric bike. We rarely get snow here and when we get ice, everthing closes so I have no reason to ride. Plus I can't imagine getting up those hills if they were coated in ice. We can't even get out of our neighborhood in a car or truck when that happens!

I have yet to even ride in the rain, though I'm all set for it with fenders and rain gear. I got sprinkled on once but that's been it since March. :eek: We're about 12 inches behind for the year but we have a 30 percent chance of rain tomorrow and the next day. Guess I'll see how it goes.

No special bike for me, can't say that it would be warranted. I had a couple of snow on slate moments last year but my ninja skills prevailed.

This morning the last vestiges of Rememberance Day traffic control was being removed and in the process causing an obstruction to traffic. Once again London drivers feel that pulling tight left or dead centre so that they can see what is going on will make them go faster. I hate traffic weaving but I refuse to join the gridlock so it was a very curvy ride this morning.

The circuit of Hyde Park turned into a quite convincing pedal mash. When I got to work I did the usual strip down to T-shirt to pre-empt the sudden temperature elevation. Much to the horror of my co-cyclocommuters I was literally pouring steam off my back like a sweaty dry ice machine.

i know what you mean Seldom, got off the bike from frosty ride in, only to find the heating up full, now everyone is sat around with fleeces on, heating still up full and i'm here in t-shirt and my window open. Its lovely to feel healthy!

Once again a non-extreme commute. Nice weather continues at least until tomorrow when we are supposed to get rain. So at least tomorrow and Wednesday cold rain will make it look like I'm an extreme commuter.

Mars, I have but one multi-purpose bike which will have to survive winter commuting as well. We don't usually get huge amounts of snow here. Lots of ice and the occasional slushy days so we'll see how it goes. We should remember to ask our club members about the lessons learned about their winter commute in March or early April when the survivors can emerge with tales to tell.

I think I am going to change the enclosure I use on my light setup to something smaller, just to make for a neater setup. Otherwise I think the bike is ready for winter. Hopefully Christmas will fill out some of my clothing needs.

It is starting to get a little cold here now.....tonights low is -17C or 1 F. Time to break out some heavier bike gear. The season of multilayers and balaclavas begins................

It was a snowy commute this morning and the snow is supposed to continue all day and drop to -10C by tomorrow am. Nothing like playing around in the snow before work. Coworkers think I am psycho though.

I have a mtb which I use only for extreme winter commuting. It has to be pretty much indestructible. I am considering ditching the suspension forks for rigid forks to lighten the load a little and make it a little more efficient bike to ride.

This morning was the coldest yet, at 33 degrees. My booties went on the shoes, and that was the only real difference. My feet were nice and toasty for a change! Now I'm just waiting for some precipitation to make things dicey.

Gearing up for a ride-in in the middle 30's, this week. I think I've got all I need for cold, I'm pretty much out of luck for any moisture, though. My most important cold weather gear is a route that keeps me reasonably well protected from the strong, cold North wind that comes along with these fronts.

We've been silly warm for the last several weeks. Almost shorts weather today, even. Almost.

You 'Sask' cyclists make me feel unworthy!

You 'Sask' cyclists make me feel unworthy!

They make me feel very, very fortunate.

Velogirl -- thought I'd post a thanks for the Key Bridge info on this thread rather than last week's. I think I will have to get motivated and do a test trip myself before I have to do it for work.

I have a mtb which I use only for extreme winter commuting. It has to be pretty much indestructible. I am considering ditching the suspension forks for rigid forks to lighten the load a little and make it a little more efficient bike to ride.

Yeah, ditch the suspension before you blow your seals with the frozen oil. Besides, western Canadian winters have a way of turning hydraulic oil into concrete. -10c with a 40km/hr wind and a downhill of sheer ice for me this morning, courtesy of last week's chinook. Anyone know of any crampon compatible pedals?

I forgot to post this earlier. Anyone see The Simpsons last night with Marge buying a tandem bike and then finding her family firmly opposed to taking a ride? As usual a very funny take on America -- in this case the sedentary lifestyle and of course family dynamics.

My commute today was awesometasticulous!!! All last week, I was commuting with my other road bike that didn't have a rack and had to wear my backpack. Now I have my commuter back and I was riding like a bat outta hell! Then I get home after dealing with the most courteous drivers I've ever seen, go to the bike shop and they got my fenders in! Just in time for a couple days of wetness.

Mars:

My regular commuter is now a single speed, geared at 46x16. The gear ratio started out at 42x16 but besides the one steep uphill I found that to be too low, so I changed it just this weekend. The one steep uphill that I can't build momentum for I zig-zag up a-la Longhorn technique. The chainwheel is actually a Biopace so uphills are slightly easier while maintaining a suitable cadence for flats.

I get rained on year round in Melbourne, and the wear and tear on drive train was getting to my hip pocket. The bike is highly polished bare aluminium fitted with these SKS chromoplastic mudguards. It is supposed to be heavy duty, but riding it is actually more enjoyable than my new Giant CRX2 flatbar road bike!! Go figure.

BIOPACE? SINGLE SPEED?! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!

(tongue placed firmly in cheek by a fixed gear 48/17 biopace user...)

No riding today...but boy was last Friday night's ride a hoot!

So against the weather-prediction wisdom I decided to stick with shorts for the ride home. I figured since it wasn't raining when I walked outside that I'd be lucky and only get sprinked on. Boy was I wrong. Nasty road spray across the bridge, down the cemetary in the dark; dark-dark...rain pouring. About 1 mile from home a storm drain had clogged creating a lake that covered the entire bike lane and 2/3 of the adjacent traffic lane, and 20 feet long at the bottom of a hill. So I'm thinking...can't go around it, I'd have to get in the center lane of traffic; too busy of a street. Don't want to stall in it....only thing to do is act like a 10 year old: "PUDDLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!!!"

Now, I ride a pretty tall bike...my bottom bracket is 11 inches off the ground, and I'm a little over 6 foot tall. When I hit that puddle the wave I created came up over my knees! My chain rings were definitley in the soup, and my feet were defintely soaked. That goodness for smartwool socks. Boy that was fun! Wet....but fun!

Over the weekend I amassed just about all the parts for my "Geekiness" light project. I'm looking forward to the first test ride.

BIOPACE? SINGLE SPEED?! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!

(tongue placed firmly in cheek by a fixed gear 48/17 biopace user...)
:beer:

The only extreme part of my commute this morning was a few wet leaves.

A section of the Custis Bike path was fixed, which made the ride a lot nicer. There was a 200 foot section which had a bump every 10 feet due to prottruding roots. I called this section custis moguls, as there was one section which had three bumps in 3 feet. A wonderful way to break spokes and send a wheel out of true.

My extreme commuter bike is my Lemond Propad. The only thing that I do to change the bike for nasty eeather is to put Nokian studded tires on the front and back wheels.

They make me feel very, very fortunate.

Funny thing....I don't look at it as though I am unfortunate. If our family wanted we could easily pick up and move. However, I choose to stay here for the awesome benefits of living in an community such as Regina. The weather is just one more thing that makes it home. Todays commute was pretty good. I had to walk it for about 200 feet as the snow drifts were just too big. The temp is -12C droping to -25C tonight but on the upside 9C for Sunday.

Have a great day!

Tibike -- what is this "fixed" of which you speak? That isn't the mythical process where some governmental authority comes in and makes the trail smooth or provides drainage is it? Who knew that actually happens. We've been waiting most of the year for the county to do something with the last mile of the CC trail and so far its a no go. With the recent weather it is as close as my commute gets to extreme.

Funny thing....I don't look at it as though I am unfortunate. If our family wanted we could easily pick up and move. However, I choose to stay here for the awesome benefits of living in an community such as Regina. The weather is just one more thing that makes it home. Todays commute was pretty good. I had to walk it for about 200 feet as the snow drifts were just too big. The temp is -12C droping to -25C tonight but on the upside 9C for Sunday.

Have a great day!

I would agree. Saskatoon is a great city. Lots of bike paths crossing the city. Lots of off-road trails. With the windchill right now it is about -27C. It isn't really that bad as long as you dress properly. I didn't wear long johns today but probably should have as my legs were a little chilly this morning when I got to the Uni. Other than that, it was sunny, with a slight breeze. Beautiful winter biking today. I am just dreading the days when it drops down to -40C with a windchill of -55......ugh, those are the days where no matter what you wear, you are going to be a little cold.

Snow drifts eh........we don't have that much snow in Saskatoon. The streets are quite icy. We got about 3-4 cm of snow yesterday and there are a few small drifts but nothing big.

Tibike -- what is this "fixed" of which you speak? That isn't the mythical process where some governmental authority comes in and makes the trail smooth or provides drainage is it? Who knew that actually happens. We've been waiting most of the year for the county to do something with the last mile of the CC trail and so far its a no go. With the recent weather it is as close as my commute gets to extreme.

I guess that the Northern Virginia Park Authority does a better job than Maryland. The NVPA "fixes" things on a periodic basis. The mogul section was particularly interesting last year when it was covered in ice.

I would agree. Saskatoon is a great city. Lots of bike paths crossing the city. Lots of off-road trails. With the windchill right now it is about -27C. It isn't really that bad as long as you dress properly. I didn't wear long johns today but probably should have as my legs were a little chilly this morning when I got to the Uni. Other than that, it was sunny, with a slight breeze. Beautiful winter biking today. I am just dreading the days when it drops down to -40C with a windchill of -55......ugh, those are the days where no matter what you wear, you are going to be a little cold.

Snow drifts eh........we don't have that much snow in Saskatoon. The streets are quite icy. We got about 3-4 cm of snow yesterday and there are a few small drifts but nothing big.

Nice to hear from you. I don't know how much snow we got but it was a lot. My worst fears are not the cold but the loose snow that is driven over a few hundred times. The consistency is such that you don't have alot of control going through it. Ah well, the city does an excellent job of cleaning streets and pathways. By the looks of the long range forecast we should see plus temps for a while after we get through this cold snap.

Wet, cold, and a great ride. The drivers are more cautious when it is dark and pouring out, so I'm happy for that. I think I did pretty good on my geography test and I got out of botany early! Good day.

It's very warm for November. I had a rather speedy ride to work because I left the house a little later than I had planned, and I had a 9am meeting that I had to attend. So I made it to work in 1:15, speed-showered and all that, and was in the meeting at 9am. That just proves that I can ride faster all the time...uh oh, I guess now I have to.

The temp this am was -29C without any windchill. We broke a record for the coldest temperature on this day since 1900. The ride was pretty good but I am going to have to take apart my freewheel and clean it. It was freezing up so the prongs didn't always engage. I also only had the front three chain rings (the rear derailler was frozen solid). I could use some advice on keeping lenses clear from condensation. I have good quality ski goggles but this morning they lasted about 10 min. Any ideas about how to keep lenses clear from condensation?

You guys up in Canada make me feel like a total wimp! I thought it was cold at 22 degrees Fahrenheit (-5C) and I thought it was pretty cold. Certaintly the coldest yet for our climate. I'm still figuring out layering and clothing so I was a bit cold, but I'll get the hang of it.

Well, no Canadian type temperatures but...33 degrees here when I left the house. I'd say it was extreme because last night I increaed the weight of my bike by about 30%. I got my "Geekiness" light setup working! It's not a final assembly but I just got tired of sitting in my cage in traffic so I slapped it together and it's awesome! 27 watt halogen baby! The 30% weight increase came from the 10Ah SLA battery...about 8lbs.

Ride On!

The temp this am was -29C without any windchill. We broke a record for the coldest temperature on this day since 1900. The ride was pretty good but I am going to have to take apart my freewheel and clean it. It was freezing up so the prongs didn't always engage. I also only had the front three chain rings (the rear derailler was frozen solid). I could use some advice on keeping lenses clear from condensation. I have good quality ski goggles but this morning they lasted about 10 min. Any ideas about how to keep lenses clear from condensation?

Whats your balaclava like? I know with the one I wear, it forces my exhale up into my goggles and causes them to fog. Once I warm up, I tend to pull it down a little so I can force my breath straight out. I know with scuba diving they spit in their goggles to keep them from fogging. Something in loogies helps stop condensation.

Whats your balaclava like? I know with the one I wear, it forces my exhale up into my goggles and causes them to fog. Once I warm up, I tend to pull it down a little so I can force my breath straight out. I know with scuba diving they spit in their goggles to keep them from fogging. Something in loogies helps stop condensation.


Back when I used to ski more there was a product called "Cat Crap" that was used to keep goggles from fogging up as well.

Any ideas about how to keep lenses clear from condensation?

You can get a product called "Plexus" that's made to keep paintball goggles from fogging. Paintball stores and websites/big box sporting goods stores carry it. I've used it down to about 10°F.
Spit is okay for diving, but lousy for above water endeavors.

Well, no Canadian type temperatures but...33 degrees here when I left the house. I'd say it was extreme because last night I increaed the weight of my bike by about 30%. I got my "Geekiness" light setup working! It's not a final assembly but I just got tired of sitting in my cage in traffic so I slapped it together and it's awesome! 27 watt halogen baby! The 30% weight increase came from the 10Ah SLA battery...about 8lbs.

Ride On!

Let's see a picture!

Wow, it was hot this morning! 52 degrees! Even warmer on the way home, but there was a ridiculous amount of wind. Curse you windy stuffs!!! Good thing was that I got home just 15 minutes before it started pouring out!

-3c, this morning, white crisp frost all across the fields and trees, golden sun rise over the canal with mist swirling above it, beautiful, wish i had my camera!

First sub-zero commute in London. Amazing sunrise over the river from Vauxhall Bridge and burning mist on Hyde Park. Finally feeling a bit extreme. I know most of you don't consider zero to be that cold but for us feeble Brits this is hardcore riding conditions. not sure how I'll cope when I move to Canada in January.

The people riding on overcrowded gridlocked buses looked ecstatic to be crammed in to an assortment of sweaty armpits.

Finally, a ride without the freezing rain. Lovely morning, sunny and clear. Windy, as always this time of year.

The riders from the prairie provinces in Canada will definitely be the alpha dogs the next few months. No matter how bad the weather will get for us mortals, they will be coping with science fiction cold and wind. Let's use them as inspiration! Every time we look out and see dark, gloomy, frozen landscapes and hear the moan of an icy wind, picture a tiny figure pedaling on a dark Saskatchewan street, where the air gets so cold tires freeze in their positions over night and you can hear the lining of your nose crackle when you breath the superchilled air in.... I will REALLY feel like a wimp if I decide to drive then!

The temp this am was -29C without any windchill. We broke a record for the coldest temperature on this day since 1900. The ride was pretty good but I am going to have to take apart my freewheel and clean it. It was freezing up so the prongs didn't always engage. I also only had the front three chain rings (the rear derailler was frozen solid).


:eek: :eek: :eek:

No alpha dog here. Today is -5C; by tuesday 9C. It seemed like summer relative to yesterday. We may have extreme temps up here but you guys have other extreme conditions such as traffic and terrain. Most cagers up here are pretty accomodating although it is usually because they think a cyclist in this environment must be crazy and/or having a tough time financially. Have a great ride.

you can hear the lining of your nose crackle when you breath the superchilled air in

Last year I discovered that those anti pollution masks make for very good facial insulation. Good neoprene coverage whilst allowing some air circulation around the mouth and nose. Better than a scarf by a mile.

I wore it during a cold snap in March whilst suffering from the flu. When I stopped off at the supermarket on the way home I did my usual and left it hung across the handlebars. Someone decided to steal it. Karma can be cruel sometimes.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I finally did it -- my first virtually crossing of the USA. About the time I hit the end of the trail this morning I had pedalled enough commuting miles to travel from Ocean City MD to Montara CA (at least according to Mapquest). If I remember that is 2,966 miles or something like that.

Now I know you couldn't actually pedal that direct cross country route on the interstates and I know that a virtual tour on a rail trail hardly contends with crossing the Rockies or even the Appalachians. And of course on a virtual tour you don't meet many interesting people or come across any tales to tell. But I'm still clinging to my virtual milestone! I took me about 9 months to rack up that many miles, but that includes quite a few days and even weeks off the bike.

On top of that milestone, today was almost cold enough to count as extreme. Temps in the upper 30s, but it was bright and sunny and really very pretty riding along the river. So now I start my virtual return trip to the East Coast. By my calculations (without too many days off the bike) I should be home sometime in May. I guess its good to have a goal through those long winter days.

Have a great ride everybody.

Lots of firsts for me this week. My first time riding at night. First time riding in the cold (for me, anyway -- mid-50s :) ) First time riding in the wind. First time riding with two batteries.

Riding at night: My CygoLite Night Rover worked great. The only time I used both lights (wide and narrow beams) is the short stretch of a rocky shortcut that keeps me off the highway. Even though much of my route is on rural roads with no streetlights, I could see fine. I had three red blinkies in the back and my headlight and two white blinkies in the front. My husband came looking for me because I got a later start that I thought (I would have called him but I didn't think he was home to worry about me) and he said he could see me a mile away from the front and I was lit up like a Christmas tree from the back. I rode the highway for part of the ride -- it was so cold and windy that I wanted to get home as soon as possible -- and I felt like most vehicles gave me more clearance than normal. However, some still passed way too fast and too close, which makes me believe that they are simply bastards who don't give a damn about my safety!

Riding in the cold: I know that temps in the 50s aren't that cold for many of you but it is for me. I'm more used to 90s and up! But I was dressed appropriately so I really didn't mind it. I do need better gloves, though. The full-finger gloves I got from REI are too small and my fingertips get numb before they even get cold!

Riding in the wind: This is where a 100-pound bike comes in handy! We rarely get wind gusts like that (over 20 mph) and I really thought I was crazy when I first went outside to the rack to get my bike all loaded up. If I thought my husband was home, I would have called him for a ride. (Turns out, he was but I was glad I didn't know that!) But it really wasn't that bad. I never felt like the wind was affecting my steering and the motor helped me with the headwinds, which was most of the way.

Riding with two batteries: As heavy as the bike is when I'm off of it, I don't feel it when I'm riding it except on the hills and that's when I can use the motor. I can still pedal up some hills without the motor, too. I was a little angry last night because I had another low-voltage cutout! When I checked, I found the second battery was turned off. This happened a couple of times before I figured out that the seat post-mounted rack was bouncing up and down enough that the rear reflector was hitting the switch of the battery that is sitting on the frame-mounted rack below. Anyway, once I pulled the battery out a bit so that the switch was clear of the top rack, it didn't happen again.

Well, it's 49.2 degrees right now and counting -- I hope it's in the 50s by the time I leave in about 90 minutes! :)

The temp this am was -29C without any windchill. We broke a record for the coldest temperature on this day since 1900. The ride was pretty good but I am going to have to take apart my freewheel and clean it. It was freezing up so the prongs didn't always engage. I also only had the front three chain rings (the rear derailler was frozen solid). I could use some advice on keeping lenses clear from condensation. I have good quality ski goggles but this morning they lasted about 10 min. Any ideas about how to keep lenses clear from condensation?

I was wondering when someone would comment on that blizzard.
Any one biked in Winterpeg last week?

Try Scott double lense ski googles (night vision better colour)

I had a little road side crisis this morning. Along the Springwater Corridor (an MUP) one of the supporting bolts that held up my rack and my fender had worked itself loose and fell out. Leaving my fender and rack support to fall towards my spokes! Hearing the nasty rattle and clanging I pulled over. Seeing that the bolt had disappeared, I thought I was screwed (no pun intended). It would be dangerous to my wheel to try riding with those flapping around, and time was ticking. I considered gingerly riding home I would probably make it back in time to get in the car. But then...divine intervention. Water cage bolts! The bolts are the same, and I have two water cages! Whipped out my multi-tool and harvested the bolts, threw the cage and bottle in my bag and used the bolts to reattach my rack and fender.
I went on my way and was able to make it to work on time.

Note to self...use thread lock on the rack and fender bolts next time.

Oh, I forgot another first for me this week: First time to ride both ways of my commute on the same day! I took the shortcut both ways so it was only 25 miles but that's why I ended up riding home in the dark. Next semester, I'll start doing that more often.

Since that means lugging TWO batteries and two panniers up to my office, I've ordered a small dolly that I'm going to keep locked to the bike rack so I can haul all my stuff up to the sixth floor. Too bad I can't just take my bike up there but I made the mistake of asking the building manager and she said no.

50.8 degrees and counting! :)

Longhorn -- congrats on all the firsts. Sounds like you've really settled into the groove.

DL -- good thinking on the water bottle cage bolts. When I had that happen this summer I tied my rack on with a piece of drawstring from my shorts. That worked but it lacked the elegance of a bolt. I'll have to remember that trick for the future.

Lesson from today: 55 degrees is IDEAL riding weather! Not too hot, not too cold.

We rarely have brilliant clear sunny skies on cool days but today was beautiful!

Since that means lugging TWO batteries and two panniers up to my office...



What sort of batteries?

Well I had my first sort of extreme commute this morning, as the temperature at my house was 25F. However, the skies were clear and it was a bit windy.