Commuting - Tired of winter yet?

I'm glad I'm bike commuting this winter or I'd be a real case, but I have to admit that I'm ready for spring. Trouble is, we've still got another month and half of winter yet. (sigh) I'd better get over it. :rolleyes:

I have always said "Summer lasts just long enough to let you forget how truly awful Winter can be". Each year it is a suprise that Winter lasts so long.

Each year about this time, I get to thinking that the trees will never get leaves again, and that I am stuck with a "Partly cloudy, high 21/low 14, winds out of the West at 10-15mph, and a chance of snow flurries" day forever.

The Detroit Zoo has a Butterfly and Hummingbird (http://www.detroitzoo.org/pages.asp?ID=117) exhibit. I will probably go see it this Sunday and forget about Winter for a little while.

Dan

I have always said "Summer lasts just long enough to let you forget how truly awful Winter can be". Each year it is a suprise that Winter lasts so long.
Being from Atlanta, of course my reply will be different.

"Summer lasts just long enough to let you know how truly refreshing winter can be." (I'll get plenty of disagreement on this, I'm sure.) For me, winter can be the best time to ride my bike, because it's not so danged hot and humid.

(I bet our winters are like your autumns.)

This weeks highs in the 40's came just in time for me mentally. And physically, is it just me or is the pedaling truly easier when the weather warms up some? Next week we drop back into the 20's for highs but only a day or two then back up to the 40's which is normal for this time of year, and so easy to deal with compared with january where temps only got above freezing 4 times!

This winter kicked my a**. I'm in hell now somewhat as a result of it. Coldest January in what was it a 100 years or something. I'm so beaten, but at least its beautiful out now, sweater weather almost. Man oh man oh man oh man.

Hmm. I am in Tucson, AZ, and I want winter to last longer dangit! It should be about 70-75 degrees tomorrow while mountain biking. Soon enough I'll have to go mountain biking at 530 am to avoid the heat and take showers at the YMCA again after the sweaty ride into work in the mornings...

No, I've enjoyed winter, I'd like it not to get so cold, if it would just stay in the 20s I'd be really happy. Hey 520, I'll be in Tucson on Sunday! For a week. I hope when I get back the ultra-cold stuff will be behind us, although I've been reminded in March we've had sub-zero temps. So that leaves April which is usually the snowyest month. This season February has been the snowiest, so what's April going to do?

I enjoy the full four seasons, because I also enjoy X-C skiing and snowshoeing. So, I wouldn't mind winter to last longer. However, just being cold doesn't do it for me, I'd rather have it cold and nice fresh snow on the ground, which this winter really was below average for. It was cold, but we've really haven't had too many good snowfalls, only about 3 that I can recall with any good powder in my area.

The cold is also nice that it reduces the traffic on the bike paths and the like.

Jay

I'm doing better this year.Last year everyday was awful from December to around April.It's been cold everyday this year but at least the streets are safe to ride on.
Some guys from my cycling club went to Tucson for a couple of weeks to train.

Winter isnt so bad but it will be nice not to put on all this extra sh$t.

YES!

I am very ready for spring. We got up to 50F yesterday and it set off spring fever in me! Man, short sleeve shirt weather! This morning its 15F. :(

Bring on the green!!

It is snowing here this morning. It NEVER snows in east Texas! (It probably won't last but about 5 minutes and won't stick, but I woke my grandson up to see the snow...he might not see it again for years!)

:D

Come on guys hang in their. I love winter the challenge of riding in the snow,ice and sub zero cold. We are doing something that most people couldn't even dream of doing!

Keep your studs on the ice and blast right on past old man winter. I refuse to let him keep me down.

Jack Frost BITE ME! :D

It is snowing here this morning.

:D

Enjoy it while it last.

Jack Frost BITE ME! :D

You "go" johnny!! :D

As a basically negative person, I work really hard at keeping a positive attitude about commuting in the winter. It is a challenge I can deal with (not enough of those in life, too many of the other kind). It is kind of funny seeing the look on client's faces when I ride into the parking lot in the morning. It is the most technical riding I do. My balance gets a good work out. But on the whole, I hate thinking so hard about how to dress, carrying extra layers and spares, really worrying about mechanicals in the middle of nowhere on a cold, dark, night, and riding on snowbank narrowed roads. On the other hand, the alternative is a trainer, the thoughts of which send me right out to light up the night. This is the time of year I start to add flowers to my helmet in anticipation of spring.

In a way I will be sorry to see Old Man Winter leave. I am hoping for a couple more weeks of snow. It is the cold, the bitter needle stuff that hits this time of year and won't let go that bothers me. If it could stay like in the 20s I'd really like it.
I'm heading to Tucson later today, I'm ready for a break. I think.

I believe that most of American are wasting half of their lives away by living in a place that has winter. Especially for people like us that likes to go outdoors and bike!!!

That's why I'm moving to San Diego where I can bike 24/7/365 without having to psyche myself up to ride in the snow.

Miyataphile

I have enjoyed this winter but.... I'm tired of the extreme cold and wind, the extended periods of darkness and the preparation required to go riding. Last week was great, temps were slightly below freezing, had tailwinds some days and I was tempted to go the longer commute (didn't due to time constraints)
The good news is, most of this whining is only temporary, from now on extreme cold will only be for a few days at a time and the days are getting noticeably longer!!
I'd like to get the road bike out for some real riding, but there's too much salt and grit on the roads.

This winter I really enjoyed riding with the studded tires during snow events, kind of wish there was more of them.

Anyways, I'm on call for work this week, no commuting, but when I'm back on the bike it'll be a week closer to spring!!

I believe that most of American are wasting half of their lives away by living in a place that has winter. Especially for people like us that likes to go outdoors and bike!!!

Huh? I'm wasting my life away by enjoying the snow, meaning snowshoeing and skiing every day this past winter or biking to work (This is a commuting forum right, I know a whole lot of us who still work in winter and still bike there)? I don't see why people would be wasting their life away just because there is winter. I love winter sports, I love being able to ski from my back yard, I love being to make snowmen and angels and have snow ball fights and go sledding.

:)

Jay

While we have it a lot easier here in Nashville
than areas with serious winter, and cool weather
riding can be really nice, I do get sick of dealing with
the clothing system every day, and monitoring the weather
channel for freezing temps when it's wet.

Yeah, I'm getting weary of it. Sometimes when I depart
for either work or home, my body engines are cold or slow,
and it can be uncomfortable. (Not to mention a
little voice in my head that says, 'someday you're gonna be
too old for this crap...')

Right now, I'm just tired of pulling on my tights.
I want to ride through balmy air, in shorts!!

I don't know. I'm in Tucson at the moment. Went for a ride along the Rillato, a dry irrigation ditch, my relatives live along. I'm in shorts and t-shirt, it's 60, and this is winter in AZ. I don't know if I can go back to the snow and ice and sub-zero temps. It is going to be difficult. Haven't looked at the weather back home. It was suppose to warm up. I hope it will be when I get back home.

Huh? I'm wasting my life away by enjoying the snow, meaning snowshoeing and skiing every day this past winter or biking to work (This is a commuting forum right, I know a whole lot of us who still work in winter and still bike there)? No, you're wasting your life away living in New Jersey, but I digress...

KIDDING! Back to the topic, every place I've been where the weather is at all temperate during "winter", it's unbearably hot in summer. I'm probably more active outdoors in the winter here in WI than I would be in the summer in CA, TX, FL, et al.

I don't know. I'm in Tucson at the moment. Went for a ride along the Rillato, a dry irrigation ditch, my relatives live along. I'm in shorts and t-shirt, it's 60, and this is winter in AZ. I don't know if I can go back to the snow and ice and sub-zero temps. It is going to be difficult. Haven't looked at the weather back home. It was suppose to warm up. I hope it will be when I get back home.

Hey naisme!

Glad to see you have not forgotten us poor folks that are still in the north-land... :D

Temps here are in the 40s. I can only dream of 60s. However, like was mentioned in another post here, summers may be way to hot down there. (of course, I am originally from Texas and don't mind the heat :p )

I hope your having a blast!

Bob

No, you're wasting your life away living in New Jersey, but I digress...

KIDDING! Back to the topic, every place I've been where the weather is at all temperate during "winter", it's unbearably hot in summer. I'm probably more active outdoors in the winter here in WI than I would be in the summer in CA, TX, FL, et al.

[insert Sopranos tone]
Got a problem with that?
[/Spranos tone]

:)

I am anxious for spring, not for the lack of snow, I want to take up sea kayaking and have been looking at 'yaks all winter, so I am sort of anxious for spring thaw just for my kayaking purposes, but I still love to get in some more XC skiing, though it's not looking good at this point.

Jay

This weeks highs in the 40's came just in time for me mentally. And physically, is it just me or is the pedaling truly easier when the weather warms up some? Next week we drop back into the 20's for highs but only a day or two then back up to the 40's which is normal for this time of year, and so easy to deal with compared with january where temps only got above freezing 4 times!

I think there is allot of truth to cold vs warm pedalling. I have this coast down area on my way to work where they keep it pretty cleared. My coast down during spring/summer/fall is 23-26mph, during the winter it's 14-18mph and that can be with a tailwind! :(

Come on guys hang in their. I love winter the challenge of riding in the snow,ice and sub zero cold. We are doing something that most people couldn't even dream of doing!

Keep your studs on the ice and blast right on past old man winter. I refuse to let him keep me down.

Jack Frost BITE ME! :D

:roflmao: Thanks, Gojohnygo, you made my day. I have to admit, I got out twice this last weekend x-country skiing and had a nice time... ahem, I'll make it.

naisme--

Glad to see you are having a good time in Tucson. If you get a chance this week to mountain bike a little, try the "50-Year Trail" up by Catalina, or "Fantasy Island" on the southeast side of town. They are both great trails, and shouldn't be missed if you have the time. Anyone at any of the bike shops can point you in the right direction. If road riding is more your style, try your hand riding up Mt Lemmon. 6,000 feet of climbing if you want it (just bring something warm to wear up higher)... :)

It is starting to warm up a bit already at night. Up to 43 degrees on the way in to work this morning; should be 80F today. By August I am going to post a "Tired of summer yet?" thread... :rolleyes:

520commuter said: " It is starting to warm up a bit already at night. Up to 43 degrees on the way in to work this morning; should be 80F today. By August I am going to post a "Tired of summer yet?" thread..."

I guess you're living at the other end of the spectrum.

I guess you're living at the other end of the spectrum.

Exactly... I used to live in Arkansas and loved when it warmed up in the springtime. Now Arizona I like the fall the best! I can see why so many retirees move back and forth every 6 months...