I read the threads, got the gear and went for it.

I only road 5 miles because it was getting dark, but I think my first winter ride ever was a sucess. It was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 8.

I took off the clips and put back on the regular pedals on my Tassajara and suited up in layers like everone suggested. I wasn't cold but had a few problems and learned a few things:

1. It's do-able. I did it. Felt great!
2. 2 pairs cotten socks (only cotten I had on) tennis shoes doesn't cut it. I'll need to get wool socks and wear my leather boots.
3. Safety glasses fogged up. I'll look around for a pair of ski goggles.
4. My water bottle froze up. I got one drink halfway thru and that was it. The nozzle froze shut. I'll thinking about heating the water before I go again. Any other suggestions?

The path to the metropark was snow covered and a little difficult to pedal thru but the paved walking/bike path was cleared as well as the roads in the park so that was easy going.

I feel like I joined the elite biker ranks now.

Mark

That first ride is amazing isn't it? It's like one's first commute to work after years of driving. You don't realize it at first but it's like somebody cut off a 10 ton ball and chain off your feet and you wonder why you didn't start sooner.

Congratulations on your adventure! Doesn't it feel good now?

As far as the water, your water freezing at 20 for 5 miles? Perhaps try an insulated bottle and warm water. I rode to work this morning in 5°F weather for 10 miles but usually my water bottle stays liquid with the ice just starting to form but otherwise, still drinkable.

Jay

Welcome to Winter Cycling

Just remember you are not alone out there! Thats what keeps me going.

Cool!

Nothing like an early morning ride in the teens--especially when you're pumped to do it--There are a heckuva lot of folk out along the lakefront...joggers, bikers,walkers,dog walkers,and those contemplating their place in life.

Good for you!!! This is my first year riding through the winter, and I'm feeling what you're feeling in a big way. My only fear is that I may like these winter rides more than the summer rides. I guess I can live with that fact.

For those of you who haven't tried it, much like free-balling - TRY IT, YOU WILL LIKE IT!!! Thank me later.

DITTO~!

I have read that Hot water actually freezes faster than cold water. Go ahead and get an insulated bottle it will help some. I am usually not out much more than 1 hour on my near 20F rides. So even if you have frozen water you will be fine.

Cold Weather is not really a problem. The wind and snow and ice can be a problem. I would much rather ride on a 10 F no wind, full sun day than a 25 F cloudy, 30 MPH wind day. The wind is seldom your friend on a bike unless it is at your back. In the winter it is a definite enemy.

The thing i enjoy most about winter riding is learning about the different conditions and how they effect the body. It also can offer alot of serenity.
There is nothing better than smelling the smoke of a wood fired chimney while listening to the crunch of snow beneath your tires.

First for me and my wife too!!

We packed up our daughters trailer-she was in school and would have yelled at us the whole way because of the cold weather anyway!-with boxes we needed to ship at the post office. Hooked it onto my wifes bike-hehe-filled our water bottles and hit the road.

Rode to the post office where my wife started laughing and pointed toward my face and said, "Yuck!" I looked at the mirror on my handlebars and I had 2 fairly long snotcicles hanging from deep in my nose out onto and into my beard. LOL I started laughing and broke them off and they actually shattered when they hit the ground!

Did our shipping and left for the video store to return a completely horrible and large waste of time... S.W.A.T.(We laughed through the serious parts and were straight-faced through the intended funny ones... and to think Sam Jackson is a fine actor-he must have been paid well for that bit of prostitution of his immense talents.)

Left the video store and went by the bank where the digital clock/temp read a rather chilly -12 degrees below zero, got a few more blocks and while stopped at a traffic light, looked at one another when my wife said, "I cannot feel my face anymore and my skull hurts from the cold" while I added, "My lungs feel frostbitten"...

we headed home. But, we did it!!!

And now we're hanging out, all comfy cozy with our daughter who is watching the Rugrats while we drink hot coffee with liberal amounts of Bailey's Irish Cream!! Ahhhhhhhhhh, The Life!

Added Info- we layered like Ralphie's little brother Randy in A Christmas Story and were very warm except our faces and various internal structures like-skull, lungs, teeth, eyeballs.

Also, by the time we arrived at the video store both of our waterbottles were completely frozen hard.

Funny thing is... as I am sitting here typing, I am seriously jonesing to go out for another ride!

Winter Cyclists everywhere celbrate your joining the cult!

I just wanted to say that I think its funny that your experience was rather different from my usual ride.

I had a pleasant and comfortable ride home from work at midnight, tonight, wearing two pairs of thick cotton socks, because my the preffered wool ones were all dirty. My shoes are street shoes that I insert in to toe clips. I don't drink during my 7 mile ride, in winter- just don't get thirsty on trips of this length in the cold. I wear a balacava covered with my jacket hood, but I only cover my nose if the wind is strong or the temp is under 10, so my glasses don't fog. I'm lucky that my eye sight is not awful and I can ride bare eyed if I must.

I guess we are all different, and we all figure out bit by bit what works for us. Thats part of the fun of winter riding.

Me, too. Last saturday was my first.
low 20's, some snow fall, wind etc.
initially dry roads, with packed, sometimes icy, mixed with semi fresh snow on the path.

later sluggy, thick icy roads (that's at the end).

somewhere around 12-15 miles.

i was surprisingly warm, didn't wear a hat most of the time.
(kinda inactive the past couple monhs, compared with summer.

oh, mtb, with thin road slicks: the bike didn't ft very well and at the end I was really feeling badly of the bike.

so now i am manicly getting a single spd beater (free wheel, naturally)
together to hit the roads with: i was suggested, cyclo tryre on the front, road type on the back. mix it up, a tyre for both needs...

whee! a good partner helps me tremendously

A first happened today for me too, I rode on a frozen lake! That was a blast. Welcome to the fun of winter cycling, and if you need any more encouragement read this week's Time, there is a snipit in the back on excersizing in the winter weather. Take a glance. And stick around these forums to continue to learn of the fun and excitement of winter riding.

I'll be posting a couple pics later tonight.