Commuting - Just call me a blast furnace

I love this commute business in the winter. You layer yourself up and follow your experience, and still wind up over heating.

I stopped twice on the way to Thanksgiving dinner to take off layers, got down to the polypro and wind shirt, with the pits open for venting, and still worked up a drenching sweat. I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I'm riding a fixed gear. Got it set up with big 700x35 studded tires, a 48 engagement ring, and either a 15t or flip it to a 17t on the rear. Find the 17 is the gear to stick with for the moment, better control on the packed snow and ice.

Nokians should be here late this week.

I love this...business in the winter. You layer yourself up and follow your experience, and still wind up over heating.

I stopped twice...to take off layers, got down to the...and still worked up a drenching sweat. I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I'm riding...

Got...a...engagement ring...
You blast furnace, you!

;)

Your a blast furnace!

I love this commute business in the winter. You layer yourself up and follow your experience, and still wind up over heating.

I stopped twice on the way to Thanksgiving dinner to take off layers, got down to the polypro and wind shirt, with the pits open for venting, and still worked up a drenching sweat. I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I'm riding a fixed gear. Got it set up with big 700x35 studded tires, a 48 engagement ring, and either a 15t or flip it to a 17t on the rear. Find the 17 is the gear to stick with for the moment, better control on the packed snow and ice.

Nokians should be here late this week.

Oh, you'll love :love: those finnski tires. They are the thing.

As far as layering goes, go out COLD wondering just why you were so stoopid and didn't wear enough. Sure enough, just about you are ready to die, you'll be nice and warm and figuring out when you can get that miserable jacket off... ;)

I've had great success with the Nokians www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/, both on ice & snow and on the hard, cold pavement. Go for the 160s...http://www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/images/w160.jpg

You blast furnace!

But being a bit overdressed is certainly better than the alternative. Last winter I headed for work one morning dressed appropriately - at least I thought I was. Local news said it was 0F with light winds. Turns out it was -7F with strong winds. I was actually doing OK until about 50 minutes into the ride when I started shivering. Luckily it was only 10 more minutes to work.

You blast furnace!

But being a bit overdressed is certainly better than the alternative. Last winter I headed for work one morning dressed appropriately - at least I thought I was. Local news said it was 0F with light winds. Turns out it was -7F with strong winds. I was actually doing OK until about 50 minutes into the ride when I started shivering. Luckily it was only 10 more minutes to work.

Holy camoly! That's cold. -5 C (23 F) is when I start to get a wee bit chilly.

No wonder you guys talk like that... :p

I figured out part of my problem, loose the wool sweater, and save it for later in the year, WHEN IT REALLY GETS COLD. On the commute yesterday the temps were in the mid to upper 20s. Did the commute in a Dri-fit Nike sweat shirt with a wind shirt, and poly undershirt and was toasty by the end of my commute, no, actually it was by mid commute.

I know about the adage of being chilly for the first 30 min of a ride/commute. I'd been wearing wool sweaters without a wind barrier, and freezing. I added the wind shirt over the wool sweater due to the wind, and not knowing how cold it was really going to be in the face of a good strong wind. The new wind shirt is a PI with zip off sleaves, that really made for nice riding, and I still stoked the blast furnace.

Today's commute will be in that dry-fit with the PI windshirt and Amfit tights (anyone else not able to live without them?). The woolie will be in the panniers just in case.

The woolie will be in the panniers just in case.
I carry an extra vest with me in case I have to stop for an emergency. I don't want to get caught cooling down in damp clothing in winter if I have a flat or something.