Who's ready for another long cold miserable winter?
10-08-14, 10:57 PM
#51
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Winter is cool. Really. The bad, ugly weather is cold autumn. When it's below 15 degrees celsius AND raining. Those are the only conditions that I don't like riding a bicycle in.
10-08-14, 11:34 PM
#52
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Just bought some bar mitts. I don't mind the cold much but my hands sure do. I probably threw too many snowballs with my bare hands when I was a kid. I just need a studded tire for my commuter and I'm pretty much good to go. Any suggestions for a 26 inch studded tire?
10-13-14, 10:40 AM
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In Misery, north of Kansas City I commute each day. I hear that "You didn't ride a bike today, Did you?"I have held inside the comment, "You haven't given the gas station half your paycheck this week have you?" Some day I'm probably going to let it slip. In heavy snow I just leave a good bit early if the snowplows haven't been out. I have a flex-shift so I arrive before most of the day staff. I will be happy when my Marathon Winters arrive. I wore out a pair in the last four years. Too much time on dry pavement.
10-13-14, 10:44 AM
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OP, we NEED a long, cold, miserable winter. Another warm, dry winter will be disastrous, worse than 77-79.
10-13-14, 02:32 PM
#57
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we NEED a long, cold, miserable winter. Another warm, dry winter will be disastrous
It's already happening in several places..
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-13-14 at 02:36 PM.
10-13-14, 02:58 PM
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…I enjoy winter riding for the usual benefits of cycling, but I am particularly motivated by that perennial workplace question, "You didn't ride your bike today, did you?."
Even better... Zipping by your co-workers as they scrape ice off their car windows and shouting, "Boy I'd hate to be driving in weather like this!!!"
Good answer, Roody. I look forward to using it to reply to that frequent question I receive. I also tell the non-believers…When cagers rib me about winter riding, I tell them it’s more tolerable to get right on the bike and ride, than to sit in a cold car until it warms up (beyond the scraping and shoveling of the car)…
…I will be happy when my Marathon Winters arrive. I wore out a pair in the last four years. Too much time on dry pavement.
…In December, the carbon fiber bike comes out of service, and studded tires go on the mountain bike for the entire winter. I have Schwalbe Marathons and they ride well on dry pavement, and are excellent for ice, hardpack, and new snow up to about three inches on my well-tended roads for my commute. The studs are still good after about six years of service on mostly wet and dry roads. As a commuter, it's too much of a hassle to change tires for daily road conditions….[/i]
10-14-14, 10:31 PM
#59
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Well you all sound pretty confident and ready to battle the winter of '14-'15! The last time I rode a bike in snow was during the seventies. Those skinny ten speed tires weren't the best for snow and I still can remember seeing my tracks on a fresh virgin layer of snow behind me on my way to school. Yup....
BTW...some crazy non conformist Russian scientists are claiming that the sun is in a solar minimum such as the one during the last mini ice age a few centuries ago. If theyre right you guys are in for some real fun!
Hope some of you can post some pictures of yourselfs posing with your winter rides deep in the snow for me. You guys are so lucky to live where there's actually four seasons!
BTW...some crazy non conformist Russian scientists are claiming that the sun is in a solar minimum such as the one during the last mini ice age a few centuries ago. If theyre right you guys are in for some real fun!
Hope some of you can post some pictures of yourselfs posing with your winter rides deep in the snow for me. You guys are so lucky to live where there's actually four seasons!
10-14-14, 10:54 PM
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Leaving South Korea for New Zealand in a month where winter is just ending. I'll get two summers in a row. 
10-15-14, 08:20 AM
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Not going to happen. Going to be a beautiful, clear, dry, warmer than average winter with clear roads 
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" Adam Savage
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" Adam Savage
10-15-14, 08:26 AM
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10-16-14, 06:07 PM
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Dug out the winter shoes for today's ride:
10-17-14, 12:59 PM
#66
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I know many people suffered last year, but I really enjoyed riding in bad condition. A couple of commutes with 6 inches of snow on main roads, I had to help a lot of cars out of the ditch. I didn't even use studded tires last year. I was riding with my cross tires and had so much fun. I just need to make sure I put enough tubeless sealant in my tires.
I'll take the dry, cold, and snowy winter over chilly and rainy winter any day.
I'll take the dry, cold, and snowy winter over chilly and rainy winter any day.
10-18-14, 09:03 AM
#67
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I am always impressed that places like Portland or Vancouver on the west coast have so many winter riders given the nasty winters they experience.
Last edited by dh024; 10-18-14 at 09:18 AM.
10-18-14, 09:37 AM
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I'm ready to ride through a soft blanket of snow - once every 4 or 5 years 
Down here around Atlanta it's just a matter of decent gloves and putting on an extra jersey and we're good to go for our "cold miserable winter".
Down here around Atlanta it's just a matter of decent gloves and putting on an extra jersey and we're good to go for our "cold miserable winter".
10-18-14, 10:32 AM
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…Unfortunately it seems this was the last ride of the season, at least in my home State. So now to get ready for Winter riding out on the trails, and some solo long-distance routes…
Nice to see you contemplating winter riding. If you want to discover the real thrill of winter cycling, see this thread on the Commuting Forum, “Winter commuting - Create List of potential hazards”
This list is too one-sided (I do understand it's the thread subject but anyway...). how about all the reasons why winter commuting is awesome? To start... The list goes on...
10-20-14, 02:27 PM
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I enjoy overcoming the challenges that Mother Nature throws at you. I always tell people that once you get over the cold, the riding can be good. Of course it can also turn into an adventure for the hardy ones. One thing is for sure. There is nothing like it. It's a great winter activity if you don't ski or do something like that.
10-21-14, 12:13 AM
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That's what I rode home in tonight. 5° Celsius and rain. Really cold on the face.
Last edited by mox; 10-21-14 at 12:25 AM.
10-24-14, 09:16 AM
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Well, I picked up a Fat Bike yesterday from the LBS so I now officially have 'NO F'n EXCUSES'.
Well almost none. I still have to crack the clothing nut. I have the torso base covered, and I think maybe my noggin will be warm enough, and I have some Cannondale winter pants and tights coming in the mail, but hands and feet are still an issue. I dropped $40 on some winter gloves from Nashbar and they're wafer-thin. Just like my regular gloves except with a little padding. So I still need gloves. And shoes. Then I'm ready!
Well almost none. I still have to crack the clothing nut. I have the torso base covered, and I think maybe my noggin will be warm enough, and I have some Cannondale winter pants and tights coming in the mail, but hands and feet are still an issue. I dropped $40 on some winter gloves from Nashbar and they're wafer-thin. Just like my regular gloves except with a little padding. So I still need gloves. And shoes. Then I'm ready!
10-24-14, 10:19 AM
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I have Schwalbe Marathons and I'm very happy with them.
10-24-14, 10:23 AM
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Well, I picked up a Fat Bike yesterday from the LBS so I now officially have 'NO F'n EXCUSES'.
Well almost none. I still have to crack the clothing nut. I have the torso base covered, and I think maybe my noggin will be warm enough, and I have some Cannondale winter pants and tights coming in the mail, but hands and feet are still an issue. I dropped $40 on some winter gloves from Nashbar and they're wafer-thin. Just like my regular gloves except with a little padding. So I still need gloves. And shoes. Then I'm ready!
Well almost none. I still have to crack the clothing nut. I have the torso base covered, and I think maybe my noggin will be warm enough, and I have some Cannondale winter pants and tights coming in the mail, but hands and feet are still an issue. I dropped $40 on some winter gloves from Nashbar and they're wafer-thin. Just like my regular gloves except with a little padding. So I still need gloves. And shoes. Then I'm ready!