Great Lakes - Who's Been Man Enough Lately?

OK, Fess up and truth only, who has made it out for a ride in the sub zero weather?

Not me, I'm still off the bike until after skiing (and then knee surgery). Doc said skiing was low risk to make the knee worse. Couldn't promise I would be able to handle the pain though.

me!

I did about 2:30 with some dudes from here on Sunday. And I commute. Most days.

Check out the Madison thread for the names of the 4 crazies who made it out on Sunday.

I'm man enough to admit I'm staying indoors until it's 75 and sunny for at least a week straight.

I don't mind the cold but I do mind the cold when it is windy or wet. So no,I have not been outside since that 33degree cloudy Sunday we had 2 weekends ago

I don't mind the cold but I do mind the cold when it is windy or wet. So no,I have not been outside since that 33degree cloudy Sunday we had 2 weekends ago

I would think it would be extremely wet at 33 degrees. However, it has been some very dry here.

And as for the wind, there are some days it's not blowing all the time. :p

I'm man enough to admit I'm staying indoors until it's 75 and sunny for at least a week straight.

This comment paired w/ your current avatar is priceless. :lol:

And neglect my beautiful rollers? No way!
I love my rollers, I love my rollers, I love my rollers, I love my rollers......

Is it spring yet?

This comment paired w/ your current avatar is priceless. :lol:

Quiet you, or I'll have Conrad poke you in the eye!

I commuted yesterday for the first time in several days. On the way home, a crank bolt came off and the left pedal & crank came free, attached to my foot. I had to limp the remaining 3 miles home pedaling through the snow & ice using one leg. Comical.

This snow bike (a 1995 Schwinn Clear Creek steel hardtail, $30 off craigslist) has been one headache after another. Buying off CL is hit & miss. My other commuter is another cheap CL find and it's a gem.

I'm man enough to admit I'm staying indoors until it's 75 and sunny for at least a week straight.

Now THERE'S a guy I can respect!

me!

I did about 2:30 with some dudes from here on Sunday. And I commute. Most days.

You forgot to mention that was 20 miles in 2:30. I guess it's still about time in the saddle. Those 2' high snow drifts really slow you down...

You forgot to mention that was 20 miles in 2:30. I guess it's still about time in the saddle. Those 2' high snow drifts really slow you down...

^You rode with recursive?
I hope for your sake that some of his awesomeness rubbed off on you.

^You rode with recursive?
I hope for your sake that some of his awesomeness rubbed off on you.

I rubbed off quite a bit of awesomeness on the ground also. I was falling almost as often as I did in the Grafton criterium. And that's saying something.

I've been riding. Maybe a few hundred at best this month.

I'm man enough to admit I'm staying indoors until it's 75 and sunny for at least a week straight.

Is that a picture of Conrad Dobler?

Is that a picture of Conrad Dobler?

He's something of an idol of mine for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Mk9P-pJzQ).

I rubbed off quite a bit of awesomeness on the ground also. I was falling almost as often as I did in the Grafton criterium. And that's saying something.

I'm more concerned with having my 'nads frozen to the seat and "rubbed off" when I try to dismount after riding in this weather:eek:

I'm more concerned with having my 'nads frozen to the seat and "rubbed off" when I try to dismount after riding in this weather:eek:

:roflmao: :roflmao:

^You rode with recursive?
I hope for your sake that some of his awesomeness rubbed off on you.

Yes, it did. He road fixed on what looked like 700x23 through snow like nobody I've seen. He even showed me a 200+ ft skid (downhill, ice covered road with 20mph tail wind...). Now those tires and turning on ice? 'nother story...

I'm more concerned with having my 'nads frozen to the seat and "rubbed off" when I try to dismount after riding in this weather

Yes, I almost lost my baby maker. Ended up throwing a grabber toe warmer down my bibs... pure bliss. I'm happy to have finally addressed the only ***** in my winter armor.

Yes, it did. He road fixed on what looked like 700x23 through snow like nobody I've seen. He even showed me a 200+ ft skid (downhill, ice covered road with 20mph tail wind...). Now those tires and turning on ice? 'nother story...



Yes, I almost lost my baby maker. Ended up throwing a grabber toe warmer down my bibs... pure bliss. I'm happy to have finally addressed the only ***** in my winter armor.


I was out on this ride, also, and I can't thank testtube enough for introducing me to this innovative use of toe warmers. These puppies will make all the difference in your pants on a chilly ride.

http://armysurplus1.net/catalog/images/grabbertoewarmer.jpg

So if I try one of those and I'm not riding my bike is it wrong?

So if I try one of those and I'm not riding my bike is it wrong?

As long as Psimet is not involved, you're good.

I think I was the only guy who didn't partake in the appendage warmers. I mean, I was the only one using an even number of them. Wind-front tights really work. But I'm still thinking of giving it a try.

I want to get winter tights but I think I've worn out the phrase "it's still cheaper than a car payment!" for a few months. I think if I use that phrase any time soon i'll get a swift kick to the baby maker (which would defeat the purpose of protecting it).

I wrote "baby maker" two^H^H^H three times in one thread! Shenanigans!

http://www.kunicki.net/~tom/pix/supertroopers1.jpg

I've been out almost every evening, but in a velomobile. Its not too bad when you can keep the wind off you. pedal hard enough and you get pretty warm in there.


http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s219/lowracervk2/trikepics024.jpg

Yes, it did. He road fixed on what looked like 700x23 through snow like nobody I've seen. He even showed me a 200+ ft skid (downhill, ice covered road with 20mph tail wind...). Now those tires and turning on ice? 'nother story...

You guys need help... :p

As long as Psimet is not involved, you're good.

That holds true for many(most) situations.

Ive thought about getting out, does that count?? Plenty of time in the basement on the bike dreaming about getting out, I suppose that doesnt count. Waiting for the UPS man to drop my new (to me) frame off on Thursday, so Psimet can teach me how to build bikes, who has time for riding?

Lowracer1

LOL!

OMGLMAO!

Kimber, no it doesn't count ... but spill the beans on the new build! Congrats!

Does commuting count? I finally decided to ride in today- I even took the "long" route in (a measly 4.5 miles). I was rewarded with a broken chain a mile in, but fixed it and enjoyed the rest of the ride in.

Does commuting count? I finally decided to ride in today- I even took the "long" route in (a measly 4.5 miles). I was rewarded with a broken chain a mile in, but fixed it and enjoyed the rest of the ride in.

How many tools do you carry on your commute? :eek:

Of course commuting counts!


Way to go manly men. I would have been out there just to brag about my manliness but I get to use the fat, lazy, and hurt excuse.

How many tools do you carry on your commute? :eek:

A chain tool and a KMC or SRAM master link don't take up too much space, do they?

Fingers might fall off from frostbite, but what are a few digits when you're proving your manliness on a winter commute? :p

Fingers might fall off from frostbite, but what are a few digits when you're proving your manliness on a winter commute? :p

It depends which ones. I do prioritize the main digit. Which is why I don't use it to repair my chain.

It depends which ones. I do prioritize the main digit. Which is why I don't use it to repair my chain.

Apparently you've never seen Tommy Lee pilot a boat.

:eek:

How many tools do you carry on your commute? :eek:

Ha! I get it now. (took way too long)

Just a multitool and a tube. You don't?:eek:

I commute with a hand pump, co2 inflator and cartridges, spare tubes, (plural) patch kit, tire levers, spoke wrenches, multi-tool, 15mm wrench, and a first aid kit. And tape. Never know when you'll need tape. Yes I really commute with all this. But none of it can do anything to a chain. I guess I need to add to the collection.

Ha! I get it now. (took way too long)

You're probably getting a joke which I didn't even intend to make. I think. I'm pretty slow, so that happens a lot.

Whoops. I thought you were taking "fixed it" to mean that I did an on the road fixed-gear conversion. Guess not. To answer your question I carry a multitool and a tube. Carry on.

Whoops. I thought you were taking "fixed it" to mean that I did an on the road fixed-gear conversion. Guess not. To answer your question I carry a multitool and a tube. Carry on.

I wish I were clever enough to pretend that I was actually clever enough to have thought of that in the first place.

Oh well, what I lack in wit, I seem to make up for in speedy replying. Yay internet!

This thread is priceless. :D

I hopped on the cx today to commute to work -- first time in about two weeks (I've had a nasty cold and haven't been going to work, or taking the L). ~7 miles door to door. Hoping to hit LFP on the ride home.

I want to get winter tights but I think I've worn out the phrase "it's still cheaper than a car payment!" for a few months.I broke the bank on winter gear. Winter shoes, tights, long-sleeve jerseys, wool socks, gloves, face masks, base layers.... :/

I broke the bank on winter gear.

Eh, me too. I pulled the trigger on the Lake MXZ302 boots in January. Apparently there was a miscommunication as to the price and the spousal-unit was not happy. I then mistakenly stated "but sweetie, with these boots I can ride in anything! And... it's still cheaper than a car payment!" The next day, a subzero January Sunday, she smirks "You riding today?" Bah! I couldn't tell her it was too cold! So out I went... And until she forgets I won't have an excuse to miss a day of riding... Yes, the ways we are motivated to ride.

Lowracer1

LOL!

OMGLMAO!

Kimber, no it doesn't count ... but spill the beans on the new build! Congrats!

I laugh when I look at it too.

me!

I did about 2:30 with some dudes from here on Sunday. And I commute. Most days.

I saw quite a few folks riding in Madison when I was over there a few weeks ago for Winterfest, even one chick on a fixie. It must be that free thinking attitude you get with a college town.

Me? I saw my bikes yesterday by the furnace ... I'm still on boards though.

" Kimber, no it doesn't count ... but spill the beans on the new build! Congrats "

Found a Pinarello (I'm kinda partial) steel cyclocross frame with fork & headset & a nice new paint job. Gonna get rid of my 10 year old Cannondale hybrid I use for commuting and use the new Pinarello for it. Of course I have no idea what the heck I'm doing when it comes to bike building and I have no mechanical skills whatsoever. Good thing I have a fantastic, wonderful, stupendous, learned, bike expert just around the block, to gently guide me (and my $$$) to the biking promised land. Plus my wife aint too upset, she just said, "Happy Valentines day, Fathers day, Birthday and Christmas to you"

Awesome Kimber ... take pics as she comes along and start a thread.

HAHAHAHAHAHA - Flattery will get you everywhere.

Thats what I was hoping!!

Stupid UPS wouldnt leave my frame or my other delivery here without a signature. My joy is delayed at least a day.