Fifty Plus (50+) - Preparing for winter

We seem to have had a diabolical summer this year but as the evenings draw in and the weather starts to take a bit of a turn to cooler and damper- I have to start thinking about preparing the bikes for winter riding. Mountain bike is set up except for a couple of items. I will have to have the spare set of wheels set up with the Mud tyres- and the worn out Fire XC's will have to be looked at to see if there is enough tread on them. Bottom bracket will be checked out for any looseness and the chain and sprockets checked for wear. Other than that- not much to do to it.

Now the road bike is a bit different. I will still be using the Michelin PR2's but the wheels will be swopped over to an old set. Don't feel like wearing out good wheels with all the grit and muck with the brakes grinding the rims to bits. Bit of waterproofing will go on the cables and I will check that the cables are stainless steel. I know that on Boreas- I have to change the Outer ring shortly so I will be buying one now for when it does get just a bit too far gone.

Other than that- It will be down to the clothing. Means that I will have to tidy the bike shed in order to find the waterproof gloves- but all the rest of the clothing is in the Cupboard in the garge. Hopefully kept dry but It will have to be washed.

All I have to do is arrange for the loan of DG's bike butler and I will be set for the best season of the year for riding.

Here's how we prepare for winter riding in Montreal:

studded tires on the mountain bike,

several Hail, Marys,

and away we go.

Wheeee!

And colder=better because everything is drier.

I refuse to acknowledge the fact that summer is coming to an end, even though I know that in another month there may be snow on the ground. Crap, now I need to get the snow blower ready.

I know how bad you're itching for good riding. I hope you have a nice mild winter so you can enjoy many miles after your hard work on the pool this year.

To prepare for winter, I'll transfer the cool weather clothes into my closet where they are easier to get to. That's about it! :)

Now this is when we need a moderator.

This thread is offensive.

Now this is when we need a moderator.

This thread is offensive.

Amen, brother!

Here in SoCal the winter is just a bit cooler than the summer, but quite rideable! Plan a SoCal cycling vacation for Dec., Jan. or Feb. and you'll see.

Rick / OCRR

Here in SoCal the winter is just a bit cooler than the summer, but quite rideable! Plan a SoCal cycling vacation for Dec., Jan. or Feb. and you'll see.

Rick / OCRR

Yeah, it's getting time in a month or so to pull out the long sleeve jerseys. :D

My plan for winter riding: book a condo in Miami Beach for January. Seriously.

I was in the basement yesterday, where my studded snow tires and wider winter fenders are waiting patiently. I have plenty of "wet" lube left from last winter. And I stocked-up on winter wear at the end-of-season sales in the spring, so I'm all set.

Wait, I may get a cheap, less ventilated helmet for winter. Not sure yet.

Now this is when we need a moderator.

This thread is offensive.

+1! I think we need a "50+ North Branch" and a "50+ South Branch."

I really don't do anything until December, when I have the bike shop switch my bike over to the studded tires. Probably a good idea to inspect the tires to make sure they are good for at least one more season - they are about six years old now.

Paul

I was in the basement yesterday, where my studded snow tires and wider winter fenders are waiting patiently. I have plenty of "wet" lube left from last winter. And I stocked-up on winter wear at the end-of-season sales in the spring, so I'm all set.

Wait, I may get a cheap, less ventilated helmet for winter. Not sure yet.

Yep, looked at my studded tires this past weekend too....but I drank the
last bottle of wet lube two days ago. Gonna get another case on the way home
tonight. (or are you talking about lube for the bike?)

Happy Trails

I was in the basement yesterday, where my studded snow tires and wider winter fenders are waiting patiently. I have plenty of "wet" lube left from last winter. And I stocked-up on winter wear at the end-of-season sales in the spring, so I'm all set.

Wait, I may get a cheap, less ventilated helmet for winter. Not sure yet.

I use the same helmet, but I put on a waterproof helmet cover to cut the wind and use an ear band specially made to fit under a helmet. My head stays cozy even at -20C

I use the same helmet, but I put on a waterproof helmet cover to cut the wind and use an ear band specially made to fit under a helmet. My head stays cozy even at -20C

The coldest I've ridden in the past two years is 5°F, -15°C.

I tried the Louis Garneau helmet cover, and it was just too hot and sweaty for me. I sweat mainly from the head, so I always need some ventilation. I have a winter weight cycling skullcap which also covers my ears, but down below 15°F, -10°C, I need a little something more, so I was thinking a little less ventilation.

Now truth be told, what's really happening is that I'm trying to justify buying an additional helmet. I've learned that falling on the fancy ultra-ventilated ones that I like in summer is an expensive proposition. And Nashbar has one that matches my bike for $30.

[…] but I drank the last bottle of wet lube two days ago. […]
(or are you talking about lube for the bike?)

The bike kind. I can't have the other kind.

Preparing for the winter here in SoCal... no sweat. I wear a jacket... sometimes on the really cold days when it gets down to 45º or below.

I want to go on record as denying that Winter is headed towards the Heartland anytime in the next few months.
Beautiful day today, wasn't it?

77 & sunny here today. I actually got a bit overheated while on a ride.

I see this thread has continued despite my earlier protest. I'm afraid I must now resort to banishing this thread.

This thread is now officially banished from my kingdom.

We seem to have had a diabolical summer this year but as the evenings draw in and the weather starts to take a bit of a turn to cooler and damper- I have to start thinking about preparing the bikes for winter riding. Mountain bike is set up except for a couple of items. I will have to have the spare set of wheels set up with the Mud tyres- and the worn out Fire XC's will have to be looked at to see if there is enough tread on them. Bottom bracket will be checked out for any looseness and the chain and sprockets checked for wear. Other than that- not much to do to it.

Now the road bike is a bit different. I will still be using the Michelin PR2's but the wheels will be swopped over to an old set. Don't feel like wearing out good wheels with all the grit and muck with the brakes grinding the rims to bits. Bit of waterproofing will go on the cables and I will check that the cables are stainless steel. I know that on Boreas- I have to change the Outer ring shortly so I will be buying one now for when it does get just a bit too far gone.

Other than that- It will be down to the clothing. Means that I will have to tidy the bike shed in order to find the waterproof gloves- but all the rest of the clothing is in the Cupboard in the garge. Hopefully kept dry but It will have to be washed.

All I have to do is arrange for the loan of DG's bike butler and I will be set for the best season of the year for riding.
I believe Houseboy is available.

I believe Houseboy is available.

Hope not- The last one wasn't any good. Didn't wear the right team colours

We're having a cool snap this week. Highs in the low to mid 80s every day for a week. Winter is still too far away to think about. I'm looking forward to Autumn.

My first thought was I don't prepare at all except to carry a bigger hydration pack so I can fit some emergency gear like an extra med weight Capilene shirt, extra food, thin Space Blanket, and have room for my cycling heavy duty shell. I bike alone on some long/remote trails and I might have to wait a while for rescue if I get hurt.

The I remembered that I do put a new front tire on in the fall to have sharp knobbies plus a more aggressive tread pattern to cut through the damp leaves. They help on frozen ground as well. Though in N Georgia, you get little snow and I've yet to ride below the mid 20's.

The biggest improvement in comfort came when I upgraded from Gortex to Event material for the heavy-duty shell. It's as windproof/waterproof as Gortex, but breaths far better. No more dampness after a hard, high heart-rate climb.

I talked to the designer/manufacturer of my shell (possibly the first in the US market) and he said that the Gore patent expired and a Swiss company improved on it and named it Event.

I also quit wearing cycling jerseys when fall temps hit. I use silk weight Capilene (Patagonia). It evacuates sweat just as well as the cycling stuff, but it's more wind resistant. I layer a medium weight on the silk weight to get the required warmth. The stuff made it's mark in the canoe/kayak paddling community as well as in wilderness expeditions.

Al

Been doing this long enough, that all I need do is grow a face warmer, but that won't happen till the first frosts.

I used to love the comments about my beard all iced up, but my commute now is too short to get a good icing.