Winter Cycling - Love Winter Riding

Hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Here's my profile. I commute 2 miles to work and back year round. It got really cold in the Prairies this year. We had a windchill factor at about -45 degrees celsius. At that temperature I was riding on one gear. That's okay, I love it. I bought this bag called a HybridBackpack from hybridbackpack.com that allowed me to carry my backpack over the bike rack instead of using a pannier or side pack. I love it. The contraption distributes the weight evenly over the bike rack and it was easy to assemble after a few rides. Good-bye sore back and sweaty back.

Hope everyone has a good commute. Yes that is real snow.

Ter

Hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Here's my profile. I commute 2 miles to work and back year round. It got really cold in the Prairies this year. We had a windchill factor at about -45 degrees celsius. At that temperature I was riding on one gear. That's okay, I love it. I bought this bag called a HybridBackpack from hybridbackpack.com that allowed me to carry my backpack over the bike rack instead of using a pannier or side pack. I love it. The contraption distributes the weight evenly over the bike rack and it was easy to assemble after a few rides. Good-bye sore back and sweaty back.

Hope everyone has a good commute. Yes that is real snow.

The Winter Cycling Forum has been thin lately, IMO, and while you love winter riding, it does lose its charm by March. :mad: When I started reading BF last summer, the Winter Forum seemed more active and some of my first posts were to it. I hope you will be able to enjoy Spring, Summer and Fall too. Nonetheless, hat's off to all the Northern New England, upstate New York, Midwest, Canadian, etc. winter riders. I have in the past requested that when winter riders tell of their temperatures, they also mention the distances as you did. My personal best is 14 miles beginning at about 9*F and ending for the last couple miles at -2*. This winter was also my first with studded tires, thanks to the advice on BF. :thumb:

I also noted that HybridPack you use. For years, I carried my backpack in a duffel bag attached to the rear rack by bungee cords. Last summer I bought a rear trunk rack that is sufficient for everything I carry for three seasons. In winter I still use the backpack, but only for light but voluminous pieces of clothing necessary for the vagaries of the winter.

Hi Jim, I'm an all year round rider, except a day after a snowfall. I made the mistake 2 years ago when I took the bike out. The snow was a quarters way up the tire. There was no traction and I was working really hard and getting no where. I was making a right turn, but because of the snow instead of going right. I ran into a curb. Bent my handlebar and sprain my wrist.

Learned my lesson, to never ever do it again.

As much as I love winter riding. I want it to go away for this year. This winter has been long enough.

The HybridBackpack is a saviour for me. I have all my work gear and gym gear and hated carrying my backpack while. I didn't like bungee cords, it got away from me one time when I was using it. A big pannier for my backpack was to expensive.

Hi Jim, I'm an all year round rider, except a day after a snowfall. I made the mistake 2 years ago when I took the bike out. The snow was a quarters way up the tire. There was no traction and I was working really hard and getting no where. I was making a right turn, but because of the snow instead of going right. I ran into a curb. Bent my handlebar and sprain my wrist.

Learned my lesson, to never ever do it again.

As much as I love winter riding. I want it to go away for this year. This winter has been long enough...


What kind of riding do you do? Commuting, touring, etc., and what kind of roads? city, country, etc.?

The Winter Cycling Forum has been thin lately, IMO, and while you love winter riding, it does lose its charm by March. :mad:
I have to agree. However, thanks to the Winter riding, there's no need to break in the legs when the weather is better. Still, I'm looking outdoors and there's about 3 inches of snow on the ground. Thankfully, my winter bike is still waiting in the wings.

Damn we had a cold winter to. I live just east of Regina and I will start commuting next week. 40km at -40 isn't possible or practical.
It was finally above zero this weekend though. Things are looking up!

I'm with Jim. It's lost its luster for this year.

Although we had record amounts of snow in December, and a decently snowy January, someone unplugged the snow machine in February and turned on the fans instead.

Now in their third month, incessant high winds (cold ones, right out of the north and blowing across the Lake), are starting to get to me.

As the saying goes, "Hills make you strong, headwinds make you mean." Grrrr!