Commuting - Brr, commuting in the cold

Had a great reminder of commuting in the chill of autumn. Rode to work in the 40s F. I know that isn't really cold, but it did chill me, and reminded me of how to dress for commuting in the cold.

I have been looking forward to this time of year all year. I love this time of year, and the commute in this weather is a joy. I've even started the beard for the winter. Just wasn't layered enough for tonight's ride. That'll change, it's nice to know the bike is willing to perform in this weather.

It's fun when your breath condenses and then freezes on your beard ;)

Today was the first day of the year for the lobster gloves and shoe covers, the black ice is comming soon.

Originally posted by mrfix
Today was the first day of the year for the lobster gloves and shoe covers, the black ice is comming soon.

Yeah, it is not the cold weather that has me worried, it is the black ice. I figure I can layer my clothes pretty well to keep warm, but black ice is a problem I have seeing.

You know it's fall when you find an old pair of Ski Poles in the garbage on the ride to work in the morning. I did! A pair of really old aluminum ski poles that I think fits me pretty good. I thought they were hiking poles because just the handles and straps were hanging out of the trash can. I stopped and backtracked and pulled them out and they were ski poles. I lashed them to my panniers and now I have a fine set of poles. It's amazing what people throw out these days! I'm just glad I have enough room and leave at the right time to pick them all up.

It was in the mid 40s when I left this morning. Had full fingered gloves and an extra coolmax baselayer but that's about it. It is nice to be able to ride in the cool.

Jay

Don't feel all alone in the chill. It was 46 down here in Jaw-ja.

It was -7C this morning here, had to dig out the old headband to keep the ears from freezing. Other than that, business as usual. :p

Originally posted by KrisA
It was -7C this morning here, had to dig out the old headband to keep the ears from freezing. Other than that, business as usual. :p We will be wishing for those temps when early march comes around.
Winter riding is great especially the looks from all the caged in drivers.

I like it when I peer into a car and see the driver wearing more winter cloths than I.:)

-9C this morning with a -4 windchill. Then again I generate my own windchill biking fast enough...

I have to say I really dog'ed it too. My average speed was around 21km/h instead of 26.

Originally posted by Richard D
It's fun when your breath condenses and then freezes on your beard ;)
...and the nose runs into the mustache (if nobody notices, I won't tell them.)

I've noticed my speed decline too, no matter how hard I try to keep it up. What's up with that?

I knew summer was over when I turned on the television before I left to get the weather report, and for the first time, they had the wind chill listed too.

:cry:

Koffee

I think the speed decline is due to a few factors, in decreasing order:

1) bearing greese stiffens up
2) more cloths = more drag
3) cold air is dense air
4) cold = less psi in the tires unless you are religious about checking pressure as the temp changes.

Yeah, I always notice my speed drop in colder weather too. I attribute it to the factors KrisA mentioned but I'm not sure I'd put them in the same order.

Originally posted by KrisA
I think the speed decline is due to a few factors, in decreasing order:

1) bearing greese stiffens up
2) more cloths = more drag
3) cold air is dense air
4) cold = less psi in the tires unless you are religious about checking pressure as the temp changes.

I agree these factors make us slower, though I'm not sure about their relative importance. I think, for example, that the increased drag of air is more important than increased mechanical friction.

I also think that my body is less efficient in the cold. Warmer weather makes it easier to make a deeper, harder use of my muscles.

Originally posted by mrfix
Today was the first day of the year for the lobster gloves and shoe covers, the black ice is comming soon.

Thus the reason my butt is moving to Florida. I have a fantasy of going for an early morning training ride and spending my day on the deck of a sailboat with a cell phone doing business.:D

20 F Yesterday when i left at 6AM. I wore one too few layers and froze. I forgot how cold it gets coasting downhill. But by noon I rode home in shorts! I've commuted for 10 years in Denver but this is my first winter commute in Aspen. Really looking forward to it.

At least it was windy today too, so I had that going for me.

This time of year is tricky in San Jose only b/c it's downright chilly in the mornings, especially with no cloud cover. But it gets into the low 80s in the afternoons.

I'll wear multiple layers in the a.m. but will need to carry them home.

It's encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one that is slower in the colder weather.