Southeast - The Southeast Turns Into A Winter Hell

Now what do we do? :mad:

I think it's a sign of the world gone made when I'm comparing myself to northeastern riders in seeing who can HTFU more

25 degree ride yesterday, and I'll have to do it more if I want to ride again this week.

I had some very minor surgery last week, but it was on my leg so I can't ride for a couple of weeks. Looks like I picked the right time to have it done!! Too cold out there for this Florida boy, you guys 'way up north' can have this cold stuff. 40+ and I can do it, anything colder it will be an hour or so on the exercise bike, but nothing outside.

Normally we get a cold front, then some warming, then another front 6 days later. This time the cold came and it is dropping into the low 30s every night for more than a week. Brrrrr

Stay warm, Mark

I think it's a sign of the world gone made when I'm comparing myself to northeastern riders in seeing who can HTFU more

25 degree ride yesterday, and I'll have to do it more if I want to ride again this week.

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, the armpit of the world. Now in Atlanta, I don't ride much under 45 degrees. I have been here 30 years and my blood has thinned out. Tonight we expect 15 degrees, I have spent the day freezeproofing houses. I am not enjoying the global warming, somebody needs to tell the geeks climbing Mt. Rushmore. Good ol' Greenpeace, good for a laugh any day.

25 degrees is a good day for the trainer in my nice warm basement. Tomorrow it's time for an evening of racquetball. My Assos winter gear will stay in the closet this week. Call me a sissy, but I like to be comfortable.

I ride because I enjoy it, this time of year usually harbors our mountain biking schedule. This lousy weather is really cutting us back. We have our first 6 hr. mtn bike race in Feb., hopefully the weather will be cooperative. Last year rode through two thunderstorms with a foot of water on the trail.

I was thinking of breaking out the shorts since we're supposed to be heading into global warming but decided to postpone that for a few months. :rolleyes: But if we get any snow I can take the Kona out for it's first ride in snow. :)

Now what do we do? :mad:

We layer up. I did take the bus this morning because I was running late, but I'll be riding home. It helps that I was just in North East Ohio last week with lots of snow and scary roads. It makes our cold snap look much less daunting.

Plus I made a New Year's resolution re: number of times I bike to/from work this year. I hate to start out the year with days to make up.

17 degrees driving in to work this morning in Bham. Don't think I'll be getting out today.

30f and a moderate breeze is my lower limit. I like to ride but if it isn't fun.......I stay in. I'll make it up when spring gets here.

What I don't get (obviously I'm not a meteorologist) is why this entire week is colder here than it is in NYC.

That isn't right.

What I don't get (obviously I'm not a meteorologist) is why this entire week is colder here than it is in NYC.

That isn't right.

Blame it on the Canadians.......Arctic air.

Now what do we do? :mad:

You put on some layers, HTFU and ride.

:thumb:

This is how I ride my bike in weather like this. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/vw_nick/Cycling/DSC_0076.jpg)

and you're right. "balls cold" is the phrase we use at work.

"it's so cold, my somewhat worn out struts / shocks on my car are frozen due to moisture inside them. Talk about making a commute more interesting"

You should do like we do - go Cross Country Skiing instead

that's the problem with Tennessee - unless you're in the "mountains." Balls cold, no snow. It would have to be on roller skis.

What I don't get (obviously I'm not a meteorologist) is why this entire week is colder here than it is in NYC.
I was watching the Weather Channel today and Atlanta was colder than SLC or Denver. :twitchy:

What I don't get (obviously I'm not a meteorologist) is why this entire week is colder here than it is in NYC.

That isn't right.

Noticed your location.... Antarctica... is that a new spelling of Hot'Lanta? oh yes it's a might bit chilly out there. 4 deg wind chills just standing there is not my idea of fun. Riding at 15-20 mph adds how much wind chill to that? Especially with a head wind? either way it's brrrr out.

If I had to deal with 3-4 months rather than just a couple of weeks I would be riding. But knowing that the temps will be back up down here I just prefer to wait it out. Lived in Chicago for 30 years so I know cold weather but I prefer not dealing with it these days. Morning temp in Miami was 38 with a wind chill of 28 at my house, it's like the end of the world for S. Fl. A lot of unhappy tourists.

It's been in the mid\low 20's for a week now and looks to continue through Sunday. This sucks in a major way. It hits the upper 20's maybe 5 or 6 times the whole year, and maybe twice for the low 20's, never 7 or 8 days in a row. Ok, I am officially over this now.

Intellicast's US low temperature forecast map (http://www.intellicast.com/National/Temperature/LowTomorrow.aspx). It's cold everywhere! North Florida is the same temperature as Ohio.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wc7ef8CMbxA/S0TWxMKSlKI/AAAAAAAAC9M/3QUdh8MwGFI/jan7low.jpg

The problem is that your body acclimates to your area. When I lived in Chicago I was in a tee shirt when it hit 50 now I need a sweater at 70. But then I can ride at 95 and 80% humidity. The bottom line for me is a prefer warmer climate to colder and this is no fun.

The high is the normal/average low! Global warming you say? We also just had the mildest summer in 50 years in 2009.

20 degrees on the way in. My water bottle froze!

http://pingfmmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/img/uqaFCfT5/pEa7u6FD9WjbnQFx.jpg

The way home was a nice, warm 36.

The snow tomorrow should be fun.

Snow? I hope not. This area will shut down, as you can't go far without crossing a bridge.

The problem is that your body acclimates to your area. When I lived in Chicago I was in a tee shirt when it hit 50 now I need a sweater at 70. But then I can ride at 95 and 80% humidity. The bottom line for me is a prefer warmer climate to colder and this is no fun.

No kidding - I'm from VT where you see temps below 0 or single digits for a week or more at a time. I've been skiing in a t-shirt during a "warm spell" in the 30s/40s. I moved to TN to get away from two things, rusty cars and cold weather. :)

I think it's a sign of the world gone made when I'm comparing myself to northeastern riders in seeing who can HTFU more

25 degree ride yesterday, and I'll have to do it more if I want to ride again this week.

Dude... you are only scratching the surface. Try two century rides since the 1st of January in mid-20s degree F weather--Sunday last with windchill in the single digit. A third century was done in December in the Catoctin mountains in western Maryland in the same temps PLUS wind.



Currently, I'm still commuting to work

Hey Brad. Good to see you on here.


20 degrees on the way in. My water bottle froze!
On the way in??? I thought you worked from home. Got a new job?

My water bottles are staying nice and toasty in the laundry room. :)

you got studs on that trainer?

Hey Brad. Good to see you on here.
On the way in??? I thought you worked from home. Got a new job?


Yup. Worked at a startup in Buckhead with my brother for a year. We ran out of funding (had a blast though) so now I'm at Comcast in Vinnings.

I'm watching the snow fall and wondering how much of it is turning to ice on the street. :) It'll be an interesting ride home for sure.

I have a 200k this Sat.--will be about 29 at take-off. That's pretty rare down here. But, it's part of the game--whatever happens, deal.

I'm less upset about the cold than missing the Bengals game. If I'm fast enough, I can see the second half, anyway. Who Dey!

The problem is that your body acclimates to your area.

Not exactly. I've lived here for years and my body never has felt acclimated from November-March.

No ride today: SNOW!! Even on the roads.

I can't take this anymore.

January fury hits K-Town (http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jan/07/city-closes-icy-gay-street-bridge/):

http://media.knoxnews.com/media/img/photos/2010/01/07/010710weather-gaystbridge_t607.jpg

Possible sleet\ice tonight which will just close this town down. Bridges aplenty. I have a vivid memory of the 1989 ice\snow debacle and do not want a repeat.

The high is the normal/average low! Global warming you say? We also just had the mildest summer in 50 years in 2009.

That's why they average. Temps haven't changed at all over the past 40 years.

here's what I came home to today - subdivision is a total skating rink. a mix of black and white ice. The only "snow" was on the shoulders. The main roads were okay but the secondary roads got no salt / brine so they were pretty slick. Our house is just over the knoll of this hill but luckily there is a way through "around back" that has a couple of more gradual hills so I didn't have to hike in. My wife snapped some pics of the kids sledding, and we all went out after dinner to have a go at it. We had one sled, pizza boxes, and used up two pool inner-tubes. (they don't last as long as sno-tubes, too thin) Photo taken from about 1/3 the way up the hill, which Ts onto another road, with a driveway across the way to make things interesting. I almost suggested the folks move the cars from their driveway in case some knuckle head decides to try to go down it in the morning, but then I realized if the cars weren't in the driveway, the runway car would hit their house instead... bit of a bad location... house and 25' driveway lined right up with the hill across the street.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/vw_nick/DSC_0095.jpg

Yup. Worked at a startup in Buckhead with my brother for a year. We ran out of funding (had a blast though) so now I'm at Comcast in Vinnings.
:eek: Vinings is a LONG way from L'ville. Stay safe.

For the first time in more than two years I'm wondering how long snow/ice will keep me from riding. We only got 1-2", but it's been so cold that just about all of it stuck to the roads. And the temperature isn't supposed to crack freezing until Monday so it might not melt all that fast.

Oy.

Because of the well-below average temps we've had lately I haven't been out for almost 2 weeks :o and my legs can tell it. :(
Next week it's supposed to be warmer so maybe I'll have a few chances to get out.

For the first time in more than two years I'm wondering how long snow/ice will keep me from riding. We only got 1-2", but it's been so cold that just about all of it stuck to the roads.

Yup, I wussed out today too. I don't mind the cold but the ice was curb to curb in my neighborhood. I can just imagine slipping and falling down in the traffic lane, or someone sliding into me.

I was able to slowly back the car down the driveway (I live on a hill) and ran a few errands. Too many a-holes were driving like the roads were dry -- way too fast and too close to my bumper. :notamused:
When I got home I was hoping the sun had melted enough of the snow on the driveway but all the snow was still there. I got half way up the driveway and the tires started slipping even though I was going slow. :( After two attempts I decided the car would stay in the street tonight.
Too bad there isn't enough snow to ride my Kona Jake around the neighborhood.
Tonight's low is supposed to be 17F so I guess everything will be icy tomorrow until early afternoon.

Is that ice-melting agent they spray on the road before it snows bad for bikes?

Most of the main roads were snow-free this afternoon, but now I wonder what's left on the roads.

Yesterday, I had a 200k ride. Temps were in the low 40's, 15 mph wind and rain all day long. This is so far from typical in central Florida, where the normal day would be high 72 and sunny this time of year(which is why we schedule brevets in January in the first place!).

My fingers were so stiff and numb that I feared a DNF for a flat tire, but I did get it changed after about 30 minutes of shivering and cursing. I think I would have been fine with better waterproof winter gear. But, I had none, and none was available to buy here (no time to get online). I've never needed more than those 99 cent cotton gloves in the past, and even those only a couple times a year, early in the morning.

Anyway, it was good training for brevets. I can always call on that memory when I'm having a hard time later. If I could get through that ride...

We tied a record, going nine(!) straight days without cracking freezing. Today was a balmy 35F. One more day of freezing madness and we'll finally return to normal. 45F will never have felt so warm.

I haven't ridden in almost week, largely due to the lingering snow we got Thursday.

Its been very cold here in NC too. Tough winter so far. No snow though. I did manage to put in 40 miles this past Saturday, and 40 on Sunday too. I was very happy since it gave me confidence in my ability to ride in cold weather. About 23 degrees when we started, 33 when we finished. But we ride slow and that's fine. Anything is better than the trainer.

Having said that, I think the 23 degree point is just about my limit. Below that and I'm at the "Y" in the swimming pool.

Sorry guys. I hate to throw ice on your cold weather party. We still had snow in our backyard (from last Thursday) and the wife and I couldn't take it any longer so we left town Monday and drove to Panama City Beach, Florida. We'll be here all week. :) Tomorrow it will be in the low 60s so I'm breaking out the shorts. :thumb:
I'm not looking forward to driving back to the snow belt on Sunday. The high in Atl is only supposed to be 50 with rain. :(
Here's a picture to warm you up. No, that isn't snow. That's the white sand on the beach. :D

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/RonH/Panama%20City%20Beach/PICT0115.jpg?t=1263428513

Tonight will break a 11 day of temps in the low 20's all time record for Jacksonville. Will warm up this weekend, but we are expecting rain all day on Saturday and Sunday morning.

It's back!

K-Town is now at DEFCON 2 (http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/USTN0268?phenomena=WS&significance=W&areaid=TNZ069&office=KMRX&etn=0001&prevpage=mypage):


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 4 PM EST SATURDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FALLING ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON... AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING. THE SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY NIGHT. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TO DECREASE THROUGH SATURDAY.

* ACCUMULATIONS: SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHERN CUMBERLAND PLATEAU... NORTHEAST TENNESSEE INCLUDING THE TRI-CITIES AREA... SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA... AND THE CENTRAL TENNESSEE VALLEY INCLUDING KNOXVILLE. HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COULD SEE LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. IN THE KNOXVILLE AREA... TEMPERATURES WILL BE VERY CLOSE TO FREEZING... AND THERE COULD BE A PERIOD WHEN THE SNOW IS MIXED WITH RAIN OR SLEET. IF TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY A DEGREE OR TWO WARMER... SNOW AMOUNTS MAY BE LOWER.

I'll believe 5 to 9 inches when I see it, but it should be interesting here the next 48 hours. At any rate, it doesn't look like it will be a good weekend for riding. . . .

I'll hunker down until Monday.....probably shovel Saturday afternoon.

you've got a snow shovel??

yeah, so far we've only got an inch or two. Got out of work at noon though, and so long as it keeps up, tomrrow is out too.

you've got a snow shovel??

yeah, so far we've only got an inch or two. Got out of work at noon though, and so long as it keeps up, tomrrow is out too.

A couple of inches is all that has fallen so far, it quit for the present.............if this is all we get, no problem.

I've had the same snow shovel for over 25 years:D