Commuting - Year Round Riders: UNITE

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.

I ride all year. Except not so much in summer. I rather it be 10 degrees than 90.

Cue coldest temp. ride pissing contest in 5... 4... 3..

Mostly I just want one of these to ride when the roads are snowed and iced over around here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-pugsley/images/surly-pugsley1.jpg

Winter forum.

Anyhow, I wear more clothes. There are virtually limitless clothing combinations to achieve this.
Heavy tights. Light tights. Poly thermal underwear. Warmers. Various weights of gloves. Wool. Skull caps.

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.

the horror.

I live in central NC, "winter" is only about two weeks long and the roads are almost always clear. Of course, the snow on 20 Jan 2009 lasted about a week:

http://silversx80.smugmug.com/photos/561451955_SaDZ7-L.jpg

Other than that, I ride my bicycle and motorcycle all year are clear, dry roads.

This will be my first year but I'm excited about riding in the winter. Except the need to spend more money on winter riding clothes since I have nothing suitable right now.

the horror.

No joke. A buddy of mine back in Kansas moved there from Florida in the middle of summer. He kept telling everyone that they actually have winter in FL and that Kansas can't be that bad. By January he was singing a different song.

i just bought my first ever bib tights. i intend to not chicken out just because it gets a bit chilly.

i just bought my first ever bib tights. i intend to not chicken out just because it gets a bit chilly.

What kind did you get?

I live in central NC, "winter" is only about two weeks long and the roads are almost always clear. Of course, the snow on 20 Jan 2009 lasted about a week:

http://silversx80.smugmug.com/photos/561451955_SaDZ7-L.jpg

Other than that, I ride my bicycle and motorcycle all year are clear, dry roads.


That's the good thing about this area...it doesn't snow a lot snow we don't have to worry about riding in true winter conditions..just cold weather

What kind did you get?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25517

i got a cheap addidas. got it in medium which seems no longer to be available.

I'll check in on this. My wife, my two kids, and myself ride year round. Neighbors think we're nuts, bike shop too. I think we saw two other cyclists last winter.

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.

I live in Massachusetts, so I suspect my September rides are about like your January rides. Oddly enough, I think the temps you're talking about can hold some hidden dangers -- at least I know I don't always take them as seriously as I should. For example, I'm somewhat susceptible to cold-induced earaches and probably ear infections too -- I'm good about wearing a hat when it's really cold, but I tend to be a little casual in the temp ranges you're talking about. It's not a good thing. I've got a sewing machine and I got a simple pattern for lycra or stretch-poly beanies, and now I just buy a couple yards of fabric every year and churn out a bunch of 'em, so when the temps start to dip I can just slip one of those on under the helmet. Likewise gloves: you really don't want to constantly expose your hands to cold temps, it's not good for them. I haven't found the One True Glove for this, but I'm looking.

No joke. A buddy of mine back in Kansas moved there from Florida in the middle of summer. He kept telling everyone that they actually have winter in FL and that Kansas can't be that bad. By January he was singing a different song.

:roflmao2:

Some people just don't get it. "We actually have winter in Florida." Yeah, okay buddy, you just keep telling yourself that. I've been living through Massachusetts winters for my entire life, and I certainly wouldn't want to experience a Kansan winter. BRRR!

Cue coldest temp. ride pissing contest in 5... 4... 3..

:lol::lol:

I win..

I rode to work last winter when it was -2 and my freehub froze up.

This year will be my first ALL year commuting as we just sold the truck that I got to drive. Wife still has the minivan. Riding in Portland we don't get the serious midwest temps but a fair amount of drizzle and rain which I don't mind riding in at all. I still need to figure out the best way to deal with the 30s but there is a host of info around here from the midwest/easterners. I will probably use public trans for the 2 weeks that it actually snows here. Riding in snow is too scarey for me. Hats off to those that ride it.

:lol::lol:

I win..

Until one of our friends from Edmonton, Calgary, or Winnipeg chimes in...

Of course I've been through -45C in Moscow, and after a certain point, it just doesn't matter that much. It's just f***ing cold and you're numb within a couple minutes anyway...

The key to riding in the winter is; don't stop in the fall.

If you ease your way into the colder temperatures and never stop riding the winter doenst seem that bad. On the other side of winter, you'll also be the first guy of the year in shorts.,

30-40 degrees? I guess I'd put on some light tights and a top compression layer and lose the half-finger gloves for some light full-finger gloves. In fact it's been 38*F on my ride in for the last few days, and that's what I've been wearing. I still sweat just a bit but it's pretty comfortable.

The coldest I've ridden is -25*F, on 2 days, and < -15*F for a handful of days in the last few years. The cold really doesn't bother me (I just layer up, switch to thinsulate lined hunting boots and gloves and a neoprene balaclava), what bothers me is when there's heavy, wet snow; studded tires are fine for ice but wallow around a lot if I get on streets with 8 inches of unplowed snow.

What I need for the weather varies significantly with the season. Going into fall and winter, when we hit 40ish, I'm feeling pretty cold and bundling up. Coming out of winter in the spring, 40ish seems downright balmy and I'm nearly back in shorts.

As it gets colder I layer in the following order.

- For normal warm weather, I wear shorts (mountain-style with cargo pockets) and a t-shirt (regular cotton, no jersey or tech fabric)
- Then I add a lightweight cycling jacket -- this is essentially windproof and waterproof (for some definition of each of those terms). I open or close the pit-zips as necessary.
- Next are light-weight full-finger gloves. My old windproof Novara gloves are falling apart, so I'm in the market for new ones. At this time I also add a skull-cap to keep the wind off my ears.
- After this, I switch from shorts to convertible pants (you know, with the lame zip-off legs) with a strap on the cuff to keep them out of the chain. Also around here I switch from lightweight cycling socks to heavier wool cycling socks.
- When it gets colder yet, I add neoprene shoe covers. Around this time, I switch from a short to a long-sleeve t-shirt -- still regular cotton. Also, I take off the skull cap and start wearing a balaclava instead. At this time I also switch from the full-finger gloves to Pearl Izumi lobster-claw looking gloves.

This suffices for most of the winter. If it starts getting silly cold, I start wearing less cycling-appropriate clothing.

- I add a scarf to keep my face from freezing. I start wearing additional thin liners in the lobster-claws.
- Next I add an old pair of jeans (under the convertible pants). I also add the skull-cap back so that I am wearing both it and the balaclava. And I start wearing two pairs of socks.
- Finally, I add a sweatshirt over the long sleeve t-shirt and under the windbreaker. I also add back the full finger gloves (now up to three layers on the fingers).

This sufficed for all of last winter, with the coldest commute around -10F. Ultimately for me, my core temperature is not something I worry about. My fingers, toes, and ears, on the other hand, require a fair amount of attention.

Mostly I just want one of these to ride when the roads are snowed and iced over around here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-pugsley/images/surly-pugsley1.jpg

Oh man, I would KILL for a Pugsley some days. But really I only would need one probably 4 or 5 days a year. I could just drive on those days.... nah.

Cue coldest temp. ride pissing contest in 5... 4... 3..

Nope, lowest it gets here is down in the 30's for maybe a week total. So...you win. :p

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.

It typically doesn't get that cold here but we did have a couple of days last winter when it dropped below 40. I just switch from short sleeves to long sleeves and wear full-finger gloves. When it is really cold, I add a windbreaker and wear track pants instead of shorts.

:roflmao2:

Some people just don't get it. "We actually have winter in Florida." Yeah, okay buddy, you just keep telling yourself that. I've been living through Massachusetts winters for my entire life, and I certainly wouldn't want to experience a Kansan winter. BRRR!

Florida? Heck, when I moved to Kansas from the UP of Michigan, I figured I'd be a little tougher than everyone else. Then I discovered the true meaning of "Wind Chill."

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.

Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...

DING DING DING DING !!
Toronto logs in. Tell her what the prize is behind curtain number 2 Jim.

I ride year round but our winters are pretty mild: 30s and 40s, rain and fog, no snow. This year I'm going to ask Santa for a long sleeve merino jersey.

Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...

Yeah, the saying is in northern Michigan, we don't have summer, we have 3 weeks of bad skiing.

30-40 degrees, I guess, would be a few weeks of "too cold to swim" except I've seen people breaking ice out of the lake to take a dip.

Here's a couple different takes on clothing that should work, at least for riders south of the Mason Dixon Line: Click here (http://beginningcyclecommute.blogspot.com/search/label/clothing). Recommended clothing and maybe a little more.

DING DING DING DING !!
Toronto logs in. Tell her what the prize is behind curtain number 2 Jim.

A NEW Bike! But, not just any new bike, it's a Blue new bike, but not just any blue new bike.....

you guys enjoy the winter...

where I live...average highs July and August...91....average lows Dec and January 38.

I think I still have some leg and arm warmers somewhere.... :)

My condolences. I love having full fledged seasons. Just don't ask me if I still enjoy it in Feb.

Winters are pretty mild on the South Coast of MA. I ride on cold days but bad road conditions like snow or ice, keep me off the bike.

I ride year round. It never gets too hot nor too cold here (Geneva, Switzerland). Hottest this summer was 38C (about 100F). Coldest last winter was -10C (about 15F) with most mornings around -5C (22F). Winter riding at that temp is pleasant with good clothing and good lights.

The One True Glove for me is any glove that fits the hams I call hands.

I have the same problem, only somewhat in reverse: my hands are really small. I can wear some women's sizes and also youth sizes, but you know what -- in general, those gloves are just not as well made or as well insulated as men's gloves. Argh.

I haven't found the One True Glove for this, but I'm looking.

Here it is!

you guys enjoy the winter...

where I live...average highs July and August...91....average lows Dec and January 38.

I think I still have some leg and arm warmers somewhere.... :)

I'm pretty much right there with you:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0993?from=36hr_bottomnav_driving
:)

Last winter was my first winter on the bike, I was really surprised at how enjoyable it was. There was only about 14 days that I didn't ride.
Like some one posted, core temp isn't an issue. Keeping the hands,feet and head warm is the trick.
I use waterproof/windproof mittens, wool socks and waterproof shoes.
I taped the vents on my helmet, I wear 180's earmuffs and a chill choker (neck gaitor)
Worked for me down to 0 F.
I also used studded tires on the bike, we get snow and ice up here.

Winter forum.

Anyhow, I wear more clothes. There are virtually limitless clothing combinations to achieve this.
Heavy tights. Light tights. Poly thermal underwear. Warmers. Various weights of gloves. Wool. Skull caps.


/ thread this is the way I do it as well

So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

I live in N'Awlins. South Louisiana. I wear cotton cargo shorts all winter. All I change is my headlight setup for my dark exodus from work. Low temps in the winter probably average mid 50s. Ice or snow about once a decade lasting a few hours. No problema.

I'm pretty much right there with you:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0993?from=36hr_bottomnav_driving
:)


Well, if we're going to flaunt California weather, how about ours (http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/interstate/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0819?from=36hr_bottomnav_driving)?

Cue coldest temp. ride pissing contest in 5... 4... 3..

Mostly I just want one of these to ride when the roads are snowed and iced over around here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-pugsley/images/surly-pugsley1.jpg

Fail! Wide tires is less traction on ice. Ice and snow tires on most vehicles skinny with lots of ribs and texture to maximize contact pressure and cut down to the hard base. Wide tires are best for floating on sand.
Pug would be fun at the beach though.

See where it says "3-season commuter"? That's excluding Winter. Rather ride to work at 90 degrees than 10 degrees.

Windchill got down to -40/-45C or so last winter.

Fail! Wide tires is less traction on ice.

Not arguing with your experience, but can you explain how a larger contact patch = less traction? Simple physics (friction) would seem to suggest the opposite.

I have an extra pair of ski goggles, some nice, merino under-layers, and my Hestra full cuff gloves. Yep, ready to ride through the winter here in Cincinnati.

I've done this the past 2 years, save for 12-15 days of ice, sleet and snow. Thinking about buying some Nokian A10's for my IGH rig so I can have fun on those days too.

Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...

'Zactly.

Me, I stop riding when temperatures get below freezing. OK, I admit it, I'm a wimp, but it's too much hassle to bundle up all that way for a 3-mile ride. I don't even have time to warm up properly and I'm in the office.

Well I'm shooting for year round! I biked to school all last winter but during the spring I drove, I don't know why, and then I began riding for the remainder of the spring. I rode all this summer, so by next summer I'll have a year of bike commuting! Unfortunately my mother thinks I'm being ridiculous.