Northern California - Cold ride this morning!

36 degrees, 29 windchill descending Grizzly Peak. My fingers, toes and brain are still warming up. That's the coldest I've been on a ride in a long time!

Heh, yeah it was cold :)

I commuted on my bike this morning and it was about 34 when I left home at 6:30. I felt fine in a wool base layer, long sleeved jersey, and windbreaker but then again I wasn't really exceeding 20mph.

My short rides to/from the caltrain this AM were very cold indeed.

Bloomin Freezing riding into the wind. Strange but I have known days where the thermometer said it was much colder but it never felt as cold as this morning. Must be the cold air blowing off the Altamont .

My walk (like 30') from my front door to my car was unbearably cold.

I admire the willpower you all have to face the cold first thing in the morning.

whoo, it was chilly! So chilly I elected to skip the 6 mile caltrain->work ride and just take the work shuttle lol.

I have no idea how cold it was .... was it that cold? I actually left the house at 5 am ... yes, that's right, 5 am. I had toe warmers, wind resistant gloves, knee warmers, arm warmers, light jacket, vest, and skull cap (covered my ears with it). With all that, I was cumfy.

The first time I rode in freezing temps I was going to go brag about my exploits in the winter riding forum. Then I realized those folks ride in subzero temperatures. They were talking about things like studded snow tires :twitchy:

My early-morning rides necessitate the following:

Top:
1) A baselayer
2) A long-sleeve jersey
3) A wind vest
4) An wind jacket

Bottom:
1) Shorts
2) Leg warmers
3) Socks
4) Shoes w/toe warmers
5) Full shoe covers

Other:
1) Head cover
2) Face mask
3) Glove liners
4) Winter gloves
5) Glasses

It's a major PITA to get up, and movin', in the morning but once I'm on the bike it's all worth it. :thumb:

The first time I rode in freezing temps I was going to go brag about my exploits in the winter riding forum. Then I realized those folks ride in subzero temperatures. They were talking about things like studded snow tires :twitchy:

Yeah, us NorCalers are wimpy compared to some of the real winter riders. That said, I think it's all relative. You adjust to your environment. When I lived in Jackson Hole, -20 was common in January, and it never really bothered me. This morning, though, my toes and fingers were frickin' cold!!

I have no idea how cold it was .... was it that cold? I actually left the house at 5 am ... yes, that's right, 5 am. I had toe warmers, wind resistant gloves, knee warmers, arm warmers, light jacket, vest, and skull cap (covered my ears with it). With all that, I was cumfy.
all that to get the newspaper off the sidewalk....:innocent:

My early-morning rides necessitate the following:

Top:
1) A baselayer
2) A long-sleeve jersey
3) A wind vest
4) An wind jacket

Bottom:
1) Shorts
2) Leg warmers
3) Socks
4) Shoes w/toe warmers
5) Full shoe covers


The wind vest inside a wind jacket seems a bit bulky, no?
I add arm warmers to extend the protection offered by the baselayer.
Also, I add a liner inside my shorts when it's nippy out there. I think, though, a wind-proof layer underneath the shorts is probably more worthwhile.

I admire the willpower you all have to face the cold first thing in the morning.

Dude, didn't we ride in the cold morning up Page Mill one time? Give yourself some credit! :p

Dude, didn't we ride in the cold morning up Page Mill one time? Give yourself some credit! :p

Yeah, I have been out in the cold for recreational rides. Commuting is different. It feels... colder.

I actually don't think about the cold. I just think how lucky I am to be able to ride, and with no one out at 5 am, it is such a peaceful ride out.

I actually don't think about the cold. I just think how lucky I am to be able to ride, and with no one out at 5 am, it is such a peaceful ride out.

Yeah, I did my quick ~45min ride this morning at 5am and didn't notice the cold too much (until I rode by the CA school for the deaf which was flashing 32 degrees on its banner). :)

The wind vest inside a wind jacket seems a bit bulky, no?
I add arm warmers to extend the protection offered by the baselayer.
Also, I add a liner inside my shorts when it's nippy out there. I think, though, a wind-proof layer underneath the shorts is probably more worthwhile.

I find that I'm pretty much good to go as long as I keep my core, and extremities, warm. I cannot, however, cycle when I have too many layers on my bottom half. :D

I'm really glad to hear it was not my imagination. I rolled out fairly late this morning (:cough:9:00) and still thought I might freeze in that first mile...

It's all about acclimatizing. I come from a really cold part of Canada (yes, some parts are even colder than others), but 9 years in the Bay Area has completely ruined me.

I actually don't think about the cold. I just think how lucky I am to be able to ride, and with no one out at 5 am, it is such a peaceful ride out.

But at 5am I find sleep to be even more peaceful ;)

But at 5am I find sleep to be even more peaceful ;)

And much much warmer!!

I think I'm in for a rude adjustment come summer. Same way I had when the rainy season came and I suddenly toppled myself in the rain because I was too used to dry pavement.

You'll find me crying at the side of the road because no matter how many layers of clothing I shed, I don't start to cool off. :P