Question for the Century A Month Riders

[Machka]

Are any of you from areas of the world that are encased in snow, ice, and bitterly cold temps several months of the year?

If so, how were your 2007 rides? And are you planning to give it another go for 2008?


I've done 3 Century-A-Month challenges. My first was in 2003 in Winnipeg, MB. My second and third were in 2005 and 2006 in Red Deer, AB. So I've done quite a few cold weather centuries. I'm debating about whether or not I want to put myself through that again starting in January 2008.

I have a few ideas, tips and tricks for cold weather centuries, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you do to make your cold weather centuries more comfortable and managable?

[invisiblehand]

Are any of you from areas of the world that are encased in snow, ice, and bitterly cold temps several months of the year?

If so, how were your 2007 rides? And are you planning to give it another go for 2008?


I've done 3 Century-A-Month challenges. My first was in 2003 in Winnipeg, MB. My second and third were in 2005 and 2006 in Red Deer, AB. So I've done quite a few cold weather centuries. I'm debating about whether or not I want to put myself through that again starting in January 2008.

I have a few ideas, tips and tricks for cold weather centuries, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you do to make your cold weather centuries more comfortable and managable?

Is the century-a-month thing something official? I am planning on joining the fun for 2008.

In addition to all of the standard layering I also have winter cycling shoes and use chemical warmers. Mind you, Washington DC is definitely warmer than most parts of Canada.

-G

[The Smokester]

Are any of you from areas of the world that are encased in snow, ice, and bitterly cold temps several months of the year??

I live in the SF Bay area of Northern California and the other day I rode up to the top of Patterson Pass which overlooks the Central Valley. On the other side, far in the distance, I saw the snow, ice and bitterly cold temps of the Sierra Nevada. Almost made my blood run cold. :D


I have a few ideas, tips and tricks for cold weather centuries, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you do to make your cold weather centuries more comfortable and managable?

Here's my solution. I grew up in Central Ontario but moved to California. So, come on down...There's always room for one more. :roflmao:

Alway more than happy to help. :beer:

[oboeguy]

I wanted to do this for the '07 calendar year but it didn't work out quite that way. I started in June and it looks like the holiday season business is going to be a bigger problem than the weather. It's not terribly cold or snowy in NYC, after all. I haven't been on a long ride since my Nov 18th (IIRC) century, in fact and don't forsee an opportunity until the end of the month at best. <sigh>

[supcom]

Is the century-a-month thing something official? I am planning on joining the fun for 2008.

In addition to all of the standard layering I also have winter cycling shoes and use chemical warmers. Mind you, Washington DC is definitely warmer than most parts of Canada.

-G

As far as things go here, it's as "official" as anything else on bikeforums. Mostly just personal pride.

However, if you want some recognition amongst long distance riders, consider joining the Ultramarathon Cycling Association (ultracycling.com). There, you can sign up for the Larry Schwartz Year-Rounder competition and log all of your 90+ mile rides.

[invisiblehand]

As far as things go here, it's as "official" as anything else on bikeforums. Mostly just personal pride.

However, if you want some recognition amongst long distance riders, consider joining the Ultramarathon Cycling Association (ultracycling.com). There, you can sign up for the Larry Schwartz Year-Rounder competition and log all of your 90+ mile rides.

Hmmm, while I don't need the recognition, I like what the organization does. Thanks for the pointer.

-G

[thebulls]

Washington DC can get quite cold (down to 15 F occasionally) and can have a fair amount of snow on the ground for periods up to a couple of weeks. Usually this affects the bike paths more than the roads, though.

For 2007, we got lucky and the "brevet of the month" rides were on the temperate side, including a January ride that was warm enough for shorts. But there were plenty of rides with significant time spent in the mid-20's (F).

For me, the heat-exchanger face mask is what makes these rides possible (www.pSolar.com). I don't have much trouble with any other body parts except my feet. For commuting, I'm trying out using regular hiking boots with PowerGrips. Seems like it'll work fine. Not sure if I'd want to ride a 200K like that. Usually I wear: vapor barrier liner socks bought from Stephenson's Warmlite, thick wool socks, spacious cycle shoe, toe warmer, wool sock outside the shoe, and either a Louis Garneau bootie or a SideTrak neoprene bootie.

I'm scheduled to ride a permanent on Saturday, since I missed the "brevet of the month", but since there is 4" of snow on the ground, I'm a little skeptical whether it'll come off.


Are any of you from areas of the world that are encased in snow, ice, and bitterly cold temps several months of the year?

If so, how were your 2007 rides? And are you planning to give it another go for 2008?


I've done 3 Century-A-Month challenges. My first was in 2003 in Winnipeg, MB. My second and third were in 2005 and 2006 in Red Deer, AB. So I've done quite a few cold weather centuries. I'm debating about whether or not I want to put myself through that again starting in January 2008.

I have a few ideas, tips and tricks for cold weather centuries, but I'd like to hear yours. What do you do to make your cold weather centuries more comfortable and managable?

[Machka]

Is the century-a-month thing something official? I am planning on joining the fun for 2008.


Big Dogs does an "official" century-a-month challenge ... that's where I've recorded all mine.
http://www.big-dogs.org/scripts/bdhome.asp

The UMCA has a challenge as well, although I don't like the fact that their centuries can be 90 miles.
http://www.ultracycling.com/

And this forum, and Bicycling Mag's forum, and the Cycling Plus forum, and the Bikejournal forum all have century-a-month challenges too ... if there are other cycling-related forums out there I don't know about, they probably have a similar challenge too.

[Machka]

The temperature here has been sitting around -20C (-4F) with a windchill bringing it down between -25C (-13F) and -30C (-22F) for a couple weeks now. Rumor has it that this will be a record-breaking cold winter ... and if the last two weeks are any indication, that rumor could be correct.

We don't have a lot of snow yet, but what there is, the city has not cleared off the streets (this city is really bad for that!), and the traffic and wind have glossed it all over into a lovely skating rink.

So ... I'm looking for inovative century solutions. We don't count trainer centuries on century-a-month challenges, of course .... but is there another way a person from the frozen north could do an indoor, or even partially indoor, century?

[BikeWNC]

Just take a flyer down to a warmer climate and go for a ride. I'm sure there are many BF members that would like to join you and show you one of their local century routes. That's what I would do given your situation.

[Machka]

Just take a flyer down to a warmer climate and go for a ride. I'm sure there are many BF members that would like to join you and show you one of their local century routes. That's what I would do given your situation.

Love to ... but I'm a student so there is a money issue, and I'm a student who spends her free time working, so there is a time issue.

[X-LinkedRider]

I live in the poconos, PA. We have been in ice and snow for the past 3 weeks already. I always wear my cold gear under armor and another layer so the cold doesn't bother me too much. It is just so hilly/mountains around here that it is definitely dangerous on the down slope. BTW i ride a hybrid/road bike w/o snow tires so i might not be the best of voices.
I would do like 5 miles less in spirts to make sure I wasn't sweating and because you can feel it in your lungs differently, I try to take slower breaths. I have heard people say shorter faster breaths keep you warmer from the inside, but I tend to ride better doing the opposite.

However, now that the ski slopes are open, my riding is cut in half anyways. Enjoy the cold, ride like hell.

[Machka]

Have any of you ever ridden a century in a velodrome ... or maybe around a little-used warehouse or factory or something like that?

[invisiblehand]

Big Dogs does an "official" century-a-month challenge ... that's where I've recorded all mine.
http://www.big-dogs.org/scripts/bdhome.asp

The UMCA has a challenge as well, although I don't like the fact that their centuries can be 90 miles.
http://www.ultracycling.com/

And this forum, and Bicycling Mag's forum, and the Cycling Plus forum, and the Bikejournal forum all have century-a-month challenges too ... if there are other cycling-related forums out there I don't know about, they probably have a similar challenge too.

Thanks.

-G

[thebeatcatcher]

Usually I wear: vapor barrier liner socks bought from Stephenson's Warmlite,

never heard of them, cool looking site and company.

i checked out the site, are their VB socks as good as they sound?

my feet are the only things that bother me. i use thin socks, then wool, then over shoe booties. my feet start out warm and then after about 30-45 min the wet (from sweat) socks cool off and it's nothing but coldness afterwards.

i'm thinking of the century a month thing also for 2008, do i have to start in january? (haven't done a century in a couple years)

[Machka]

never heard of them, cool looking site and company.

i checked out the site, are their VB socks as good as they sound?

my feet are the only things that bother me. i use thin socks, then wool, then over shoe booties. my feet start out warm and then after about 30-45 min the wet (from sweat) socks cool off and it's nothing but coldness afterwards.

i'm thinking of the century a month thing also for 2008, do i have to start in january? (haven't done a century in a couple years)


Yep, that's the idea behind the century a month ... you start in January, and it's one century each month up to and including December. It's your choice where you want to do your century, and your choice what day you want to do your century during each month, but there's no banking or anything like that ... in other words you can't plan to do 4 centuries in April to make up for January, February, March, and April.

Some ideas to prevent cold feet: http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

[Shifty]

It is good here for year around riding, western Oregon never gets too cold or too hot. I rode my December century today and the high was about 39 F, with a slight north wind. It gets a little cooler than that, but not much, it's the rain in the winter that I have to work around more than anything. It also doesn't get hot and humid in the summer, mostly perfect dry weather in the 70's and 80's, with an occasional skike in temps up to 100, but never for more than a few days.

FYI, this is a secret!;)

[Machka]

I was sitting in the mall early this morning watching the mall walkers and thinking ... they should have a place like this for cyclists!! Wouldn't it be great?! Some malls would be amply big enough for it ... the West Edmonton Mall, for example, would allow for several kilometers of cycling on each lap.

[Road Fan]

I was sitting in the mall early this morning watching the mall walkers and thinking ... they should have a place like this for cyclists!! Wouldn't it be great?! Some malls would be amply big enough for it ... the West Edmonton Mall, for example, would allow for several kilometers of cycling on each lap.

Fat tire training loop at Eaton Centre in Toronto, so you could ride up and down the stairways!

[The Smokester]

I was sitting in the mall early this morning watching the mall walkers and thinking ... they should have a place like this for cyclists!! Wouldn't it be great?! Some malls would be amply big enough for it ... the West Edmonton Mall, for example, would allow for several kilometers of cycling on each lap.

I don't know about this or the velodrome idea either, for that matter. The reason I am back on a bicycle is because exercising at the club was just plain boring. Maybe the sameness is comforting for some, but for me I enjoy the variability, the people I meet and the scenery as it unfolds during a long ride.

I know there is pressure to keep building the miles but isn't there likely to be a window of good weather you can take advantage of for a month's century?

[Machka]

I don't know about this or the velodrome idea either, for that matter. The reason I am back on a bicycle is because exercising at the club was just plain boring. Maybe the sameness is comforting for some, but for me I enjoy the variability, the people I meet and the scenery as it unfolds during a long ride.

I know there is pressure to keep building the miles but isn't there likely to be a window of good weather you can take advantage of for a month's century?

When was the last time you were in the Canadian prairies during the winter?

Yes ... there is a faint possibility the temperature could rise to something in the neighborhood of 0C, and there is a faint possibility it could be that warm enough days to melt the ice and snow that is already all over the roads ... but the chances of that faint possibility occuring on the four days in January I can ride my century (the 4 Sundays) ......... slim, very slim.

Have a look ... here's January 2006:
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html
It did warm up twice in January (chinooks), and I could have ridden the first time, but if you notice the amount of snow on the ground the second time, that's the amount of snow also on the roads.

Check out some of the previous years by clicking the drop down box beside the year and picking another one.

Oh and keep in mind that when I start my rides, it's the minimum temperature, the overnight low.

I'd rather have boring than bitterly cold ... after all, I spent 13 years cycling in Manitoba where the scenery wasn't exactly inspirational ... I'm used to boring. :D

[thebeatcatcher]

Some ideas to prevent cold feet: http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

those were great, especially the neoprene ankle braces and wearing wristbands. i had never heard of that before.

i'll shoot for a january century then i guess and take it from there...

[The Smokester]

When was the last time you were in the Canadian prairies during the winter?

...Oh and keep in mind that when I start my rides, it's the minimum temperature, the overnight low.

I'd rather have boring than bitterly cold ... after all, I spent 13 years cycling in Manitoba where the scenery wasn't exactly inspirational ... I'm used to boring. :D

Well, see Post #3. I moved to California almost 30 years ago and memory fades.

Then, how about this? :D

[BikeWNC]

Love to ... but I'm a student so there is a money issue, and I'm a student who spends her free time working, so there is a time issue.

I understand. If you do by chance find your way down to NC, I would be glad to join you on a century ride.

[Michelangelo]

France may be warmer than Canada. No snow here and no extreme cold. But the rain can be challenging. Remember el PBP :p :p :p

[Machka]

Just for reference purposes ...

Last year, they finally plowed the streets in late February last year ... the first two photos are what a well-plowed street looks like. Prior to that, all that stacked snow was on the street.

The third photo is a typical-looking winter street.

.

[Pedal Wench]

I'm not officially part of the club, but how's this for frustrating. Last week I did a century (in Georgia) and it was in the 70's. Did another one yesterday and it was 38 degrees with steady winds at 25 mph. Brrrr. I was on a popular trail, and went for about 60 miles without seeing another cyclist. Crazy, I tell ya! Training this winter is gonna be tough!

[zowie]

Love to ... but I'm a student so there is a money issue, and I'm a student who spends her free time working, so there is a time issue.

Maybe with one short trip you could ride the last day of Jan and the first day of Feb to get the two hardest months out of the way. Very early Dec. and very late March are probably not so unbearable and then you're good for the decent months.

[Godwin]

I think I'm going to try giving it a go this year (starting in January) although Halifax is usually not encased in as much snow as the prairies (it's usually wet and cold). Looks like I'll be living in Calgary by September for School so I'll probably have spare weekends to do it out there next winter.

[TomM]

Do the rules dictate that the rides must be ridden outside?

[zowie]

If you ride a quarter mile track 400 times, have you ridden 100 miles or a quarter-mile?

[papawizo]

Machka,
After viewing your streets, I can't imagine doing centuries without a set course within site of civilization. I just completed RUSA's R12 and endured some cold (not sub zero fahrenheit) and some intense wind and rains. Without much riding to back my efforts, I am slower than my usual slow self. Also, Kent Peterson has used studded winter tires in really icy conditions. He may have done a permanent a year ago with these. Of course that requires room for larger tires which may not be available on your marinoni. That would be number one for cruising compact snow and ice. And then you only have to deal with the issue of frost bite. I can't imagine having to ride for hours on snow and ice. Heres to you if you determine to do this. :) !
J

[Hocam]

Considering the pain in my knees from overdoing it is finally gone, and the pain in my shoulders from a bike-car accident is also gone, and that I'm finally getting back into shape, I think a minimum of 1 century per month is my new years resolution.