kimconyc

So after the ridiculously awesome 60+ degrees NYC has been having continuously after the abysmally rainy summer, it seems the cold days are finally here.

After yesterday's first showing of snow, I knew that today would be an interesting ride.

Aside from me being a total idiot and not bringing my camera to take awesome pictures of 9W without any cars or any other cyclists, I wish I had a video of all the cyclists nearly falling over and turning around at the GWB on my way back as it was totally frozen over.

39/19 power-sliding skills were needed or else there was a long walk ahead across the George Washington Bridge.

Anyway, here are pictures of the aftermath of NYC's first snow showers:





Let's keep this fun and update this thread throughout the winter.

It will keep us motivated to ride and be like a contest of who can get the most crap on their bike.

I've set the bar pretty low so let's see how bad of a winter it's going to be...

tubescreamerx

how are you finding those EVO CGs? I'm thinking of switching to them for winter, from GP4000s.

kimconyc

I have the GP4000s one of my bikes. The GP4000s are a better overall tire (dry weather grip and cost primarily) but they SUCK in wet weather.

I was easily going over a totally iced bridge today. Granted, I was power-sliding too but it's not like I ever lost control. There's a reason why almost every pro uses them in Paris-Roubaix.

The only drawback is the green color (they have a black version but hard to find) and cost (they used to be $35 last year, now they are like $55 a pop).

I bought these last year; don't have any more that I should have stocked up on and not willing to shell out $55 for a friggin tire

hansel

it snowed in the city? all we got was rain on the island.

went for a ride today, but no salt on the roads yet

Herbie53

yesterday in the DC burbs.

mzeffex 

^ Nice!

kimconyc

It snowed on the GWB apparently (or probably just all the water from the Hudson that was frozen over) and a lot of snow on 9W all the way up to Nyack. There was not any snow I noticed when I was riding in Brooklyn and Manhattan to get out there.

Nice picture Herbie53!

We need more carnage pictures people

KiddSisko

I discovered just this afternoon why leg warmers are necessary when it's cold. My 30 mile ride included climbing up to a ridge that overlooks the Pacific ocean. Most of the climb was on the wind protected side, but then at the top around 2400 feet the temps were at least 10 degrees cooler than the low 60's I was climbing in, and the wind was stiff. We have a cold front rolling in, and I can confirm that it is indeed cold up there. While my core was protected for the long ride down with a windbreaker and several layers, my legs were exposed. By the time I got to the bottom, my legs were drained of blood and my hands (even with full gloves) and toes were numb. Legs felt like rubber and my knees ached. I won't do that again!

finnyct90

I did not think to take a picture of todays ride. I had so much wet dirty show gobbed up in the brakes I had to stop to clear them. I am thinking that fenders might be cool.
that and a tissue dispenser.

echappist

So what type of drills do you do to acquire power sliding skills? Serious question as I think i'll have to go across the bridge in nasty weather quite a few times this winter. Thank goodness i chose today as my rest day.

BarryJo

How long does it take you to clean up such a mess?
I find it's about 90 minutes between washing the bike and then cleaning the drivetrain.

It would appear Winter is finally here in the Northeast. It was a good Fall while it lasted.

Kurogashi

Funny how us Canadians (Toronto to be exact), haven't gotten anything yet.
And we're supposed to be living in igloos. LOL (or so a US buddy told me).

kimconyc

I dunno, I just ride all the time, no matter what. I just ride slower or faster depending on the conditions (rain, sleet, etc.). In the winter, I try to keep it below 20mph (on flats) no matter what and do not ride in the big ring until March.

I learned by taking my share of spills

But for going over the GWB or other long path that is iced over, I put it in 39/19 (I like that gear for some reason on ice) and then you just push half a stroke, back pedal, then glide.

You will fishtail so while you are sliding, just try to counter-steer to regain balance and then apply another half a stroke or quarter stroke.

Basically, you do not want to be pedaling full stroke on ice because most likely, unless your handling skills are awesome (mine are not), you will fall over.

Basically, find a patch of ice this winter (best if it's on a patch of grass or something nicer to fall on) and practice.

kimconyc

Yeah probably 90 minutes for me too if full drivetrain cleaning. I usually just fill up a bucket with warm water and do a once over to get all the crap off. Then a second washing to get the rest of the salt off. Finish off the frame with Pledge coating.

If it's really bad, meaning there is a lot of salt and sand in the chain, I have to use the Park chain cleaning thing to fully clean the drivetrain.

The Weak Link

Brakes are for woosies.

Flash

even though it doesn't look bad, it took a very long time to get it even close to cleaned up.

snowman40

Yes, because grass stuck in a chunk of ice is softer than a chunk of ice on pavement.....

Ice is ice, it will hurt no matter what. I find a pile of snow (not near the street....that is usually chunks of ice...) near driveways and sidewalks to be softer. It will also give you instant ammo should the neighborhood kids laugh at you.....

Jynx

just rain so far.

nayr497

I've noticed the tire price jump too, guess I'm not the only one. I picked up some Conti GP4000S's fromP PBK last March for $32 per tire; they've been hovering near $50 for months now. Anyone know if there is a reason for this?

I'd like to stock up on some new tires for one bike and need new ones right now for another, but I'm reluctant to spend $50 a tire, which is what the GP 4000's are at, and the Vittoria Evo Corsas. I'm wondering if prices are going to come down at PBK or if I just need to forget those prices in the $30s...

Oh, by the way, second snow of the year here in upstate NY over the weekend. Busy doing other stuff so didn't have time to ride. Commuted today, but roads were clear. In three weeks I'm moving 600 miles south, which is gonna be nice...might have to sell off my rollers

enjoi07

pcad had a good one of his cervelo.

SlimAgainSoon

Herbie53, that's a great photo!

Gives me chills.

OBXCycling.com

Not what you were expecting but post ride deb-riss just the same.

After my first cyclocross

AngrySaki

It wasn't supposed to snow very much until Wednesday...






The worst part was that I had to use all my water to try and get the ice out of my cassette. I ended up with only 2 available gears at the end of the ride.

echappist

WOW. huge props for braving the weather

kimconyc

You are the winner so far.

Nice bike too!