General Cycling Discussion - Putting my Road Bike away for the winter

I was hoping to get one last ride on it today, but it rained. I went to the garage, put a thick coating of Proofhide on the saddle, removed the chain and put that into a bag, wrapped the saddle and bars in plastic bags (put a clean rag over the saddle, first), and hung the bike on the hook next to the old Raleigh. I prepared the old Raleigh roadster last month.
I guess that, until march, I'm only going to have an occasional ride on my Cannondale Touring bike.
Winter Sux!

Boy, that has a sad tone to it. Winter has yet to come to us in Chicago, but already the Italian and French bikes are in the basement. My all weather battlecruisers are still hanging in the garage waiting for action.

Oh geez! You scared me there for a second. When I read the thread title, I thought you were going to put off cycling totally during the winter...good thing you're not, otherwise I'd seriously have to have a talk with you. ;)

velo

I haven't ridden at all this week (first time since early part of the year) because it's been too icy when I leave for work (black ice) and is icy when I go home.

I wish I could travel when the sun is up and the frost/ice is away.

Winter sucks big time.

I feel for you.

By spring you'll really have the need for speed.

Believe it or not, it's often tempting to put the bike away for the summer around here and just go to the beach. Luckily, I don't watch TV, so I can do both :D :p

Originally posted by Chris L
Believe it or not, it's often tempting to put the bike away for the summer around here and just go to the beach. Luckily, I don't watch TV, so I can do both :D :p

I think I am moving soon......by the way can I move in?

I don't see why not.

Winter with the weather-wimps of north coastal San Diego --

On Saturday, I cycled to my local Sears and arrived shortly after their 07:00 opening, to buy a new transmitter for the garage door opener. (No one commented on the implicit irony -- "Did you bike here because you couldn't get your car out?") Seeing my helmet and bright yellow cycling jacket, the clerk commented on how cold (41F/5C) it was outside. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was halfway into a 25mi/40km round trip on a 40-year-old bicycle which was made in Austria, where they have REAL winters.

Today, as I cycled at the same time of day in similar weather through the backroads of Rancho Santa Fe, a jogger called out, "Wow! I'm out here freezing my @$$ off running; I don't know how anyone can bike in this weather."

With full-fingered gloves, a cotton T-shirt, a longsleeved wool cycling jersey, and a nylon windbreaker, and with sweatpants over my cycling shorts, I am good to about 37F/3C; the sinuses, fingers, and toes are the first body parts to object.

With full-fingered gloves, a cotton T-shirt, a longsleeved wool cycling jersey, and a nylon windbreaker, and with sweatpants over my cycling shorts, I am good to about 37F/3C; the sinuses, fingers, and toes are the first body parts to object. [/B]

Good clothing is really the key. I have a good jacket and luckily I bought some ski pans on a yard sales last summer that serve me well also. With full gloves and full facial cover I am ok. Cables can freeze though that is the main problem (and visibility).

Originally posted by PapeteeBooh




Good clothing is really the key. I have a good jacket and luckily I bought some ski pans on a yard sales last summer that serve me well also. With full gloves and full facial cover I am ok. Cables can freeze though that is the main problem (and visibility).

Grr...I always click "Report", thinking it says "Reply".

Anyways; I always find my face, feet, and hands end up freezing, despite my Mr. Stay-Puff gloves and a nice balaclava. Am I just some kind of thermal misfit, or...?

I cannot get my feet to stay warm. :( The rest of me is toasty, sweating even, but my feet are two little blocks of ice. I sussed keeping the legs warm - bought a pair of Helly Hanson snow-boarding pants (allegedly - wouldn't want to try them in real cold) with £70 off.

Ellie

Well, I spent last Saturday at the LBS. Repacked the wheel bearings, replaced the caged headstock bearings with loose ones, and replaced the shifter cables and housings.

But, I didn't go through all this to put the bike away....just routine maintenance so I can keep riding!! Was really a nice ride this morning, temp was 28 F, or about 10 degrees warmer than it has been! I am wearing leather biking shoes, probably similar to mountain biking shoes, and so far have not had any trouble with the feet getting cold.

Well, at least if you are putting one bike away, you have not quit riding! I know that the snow will come here sooner or later, and biking will come to a screeching halt, but untill that day, I am spinning away!!