Commuting - Got to test some winter gear today (pics)

Ok, so this wasn't technically a regular commute, but this is the forum I most relate to when not doing roadie stuff.

It finally hit the 20's in NYC. Woke up this morning, looked out the window and decided that I need to immediately go on a little 20 mile round-trip commute to get some Gatorade from the Breezy Point general store :-). Figured I'd use the opportunity to see if I'm as prepared as I think I am with regard to winter gear.

Thought I'd share some pics of southern Brooklyn this time of year while I'm at it.

Shore Parkway bike path:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/2080909127_998970b544.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080909127/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2081694878_f994b7bcd4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081694878/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/2080910043_00a3927f6c.jpg
(http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080910043/in/set-72157603354138738/)

Quick stop at the Gateway Marina:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2081696088_62ac2c446a.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081696088/in/set-72157603354138738/)

This stuff was impossible to ride on. I took a nice spill making a turn. Only then did I notice that my bike wouldn't even stay up when slightly leaning it on myself. Was told that I was lucky not to have taken a dive instead of a spill.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2081697614_edc83836b1.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081697614/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2080911613_656e07bde7.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080911613/in/set-72157603354138738/)

9/11 memorial at Breezy Point:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2080912573_331392f863.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080912573/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/2081698528_5e0da873ef.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081698528/in/set-72157603354138738/)

My commuter bike (23mm slicks aren't optimal for this, but they did the job, although I had to stop at some point to kick some snow and ice from between the tires and fenders):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2081699020_7d931da984.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081699020/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2081699448_0c989b2dab.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081699448/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2081700130_3cd3c83a37.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081700130/in/set-72157603354138738/)

Me, in ninja mode:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/2081699808_ee2c8aa40e.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081699808/in/set-72157603354138738/)

A deserted looking Plumb Beach, with Harvard On The Bay in the background:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2081700416_ef9a648074.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081700416/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2081700904_4fac01d1d7.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081700904/in/set-72157603354138738/)

Sheepshead Bay:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2080915905_0a7b157de2.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080915905/in/set-72157603354138738/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2081701656_dfc71fdd9f.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2081701656/in/set-72157603354138738/)

Midwood Field. Not sure what was going on there; looked like half-time show with the marching band. A ridiculous amount of cops within a block radius and in front of Murrow high school:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2080916673_8355b950da.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/mazaev/2080916673/in/set-72157603354138738/)

All in all and in retrospect, I can't wait for winter to hit full on already. Going to need some warmer MTB shoes, and maybe gloves for longer rides. Otherwise, bring it on.

Oh, and I ended up completely forgetting about the Gatorade.

Nice shots. Keep them coming. I can't believe you didn't fall in the water. Sometimes when you put your foot down you slide worse than the bike does. That's when you're in trouble.

Consider some studs and you'll be cookin' ;)

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks. Love the pic with bird tracks in the snow.

Nice shots. Keep them coming. I can't believe you didn't fall in the water. Sometimes when you put your foot down you slide worse than the bike does. That's when you're in trouble.

Consider some studs and you'll be cookin' ;)

Funny; in the moment, I was more afraid of dropping the bike in the water then myself. Damn good thing I was going ultra-slow; my brakes would've had a good laugh.

I wish our winters called for studs (I'm from Russia, I miss real winter), but all the snow on those pics is now gone and it's in the mid 40's again. Maybe some more in February...