cyclesick

hey guys, alot of this may be old hat to some of you vets, but for anyone that's interested; i just came accrossed this site,[icebike.org], that talks all about the insanity of riding in snow and on ice. it's a chat room that is focused on anything pertaining to winter cycling in all conditions. maybe some of you old heads could give it the once over and tell me what you think. and by the way, to all you who responded so promptly to my earlier post, thanks a bunch for making me feel so welcomed. it' good to know there are other oversized cycling junkies. makes me feel normal...... a little. thanks again. cyclesick

cyclesick

one more thing before i forget. i'm very new to this 'computer', 'internet' thing, so at the risk of sounding like an idiot,could someone please explain the symbols used in this forum to me. ya' know,the different color envelopes, the paper clips the pins, that are found along side the post.

Tom Stormcrowe

colored Envelope= new message
Paper clip means attached image
Pin is a Sticky thread, it stays at the top and won't scroll off the topic main page. Usually relates to very important info.

Yep, icebike.org is a great resource! Good find! By the way, all of us were nOOb's once upon a time!

yeamac 

I thought that's what snowmobiles are for.

Personally, I don't go riding if it is under 50 out. I don't have any cold weather gear and I just need to wait a week until the weather warms up here in Houston.

nowheels

I used to frequent Icebike.org a few years ago....those dudes are just crazy (But friendly and helpful). I just don't know how much you can talk about studded tires, wind chill and how often you have to de-salt your bike

Grampy™

Sheeeeeeiiit I'd only be able to ride 4 months a year! That'll never do.... Bundle up and ride!

G. Hoffman

Scroll down to the end of the Bike Forums, and say hi to the Winter cycling Forum.

And by the way, it's not insane, just a bit more work. One of my best rides ever, however, was a midnight ride in completely fresh snow, making the first tracks in a couple of inches of really nice light powder. Stuningly beautiful.


Gabriel

The CLYDE

The crappier the weather the more fun the ride! - Lance Armstrong

bigbossman 

Around here that pretty much means wearing knickers instead of shorts, and an outer shell to keep the chill off of bare skin. And once in a while, full-fingered gloves.

CrosseyedCrickt

Winter/Cold riding isn't insane, just fun.
It's 7 degrees outside right now with 15mph winds and the snow is so frozen that it feels like rock.
The bike path in unplowed and I get off at 6 in the morning... and I can't wait!

just visit us "insabe" folks down at the bottom in the "Winter Cycling" area any time you have a question. And welcome to the boards.

bdinger

Did my first winter ride and...
..it's been awile since I've had that much fun! Why have I neglected my poor Hardrock for the past two months!

Seriously, it was 38 degrees when I left, and 33 when I got home. Dealt with snow, ice, snow/ice mix, and dry trails. I had a BLAST. It was challenging, cold, and challenging.

My gear? Simple. Had a polartech baclavah, columbia fleece, generic turtleneck, aerotech shorts, cheap sweatpants, smartwool socks and some North Face "speed hikers" (aka tennis shoes with better tread). Oh, and a bone stock '07 Specialized Hardrock Sport. The stock tires just dug into whatever I threw at them.

15-ish miles later, I want to go back out!!!!

jaxgtr

Just got done with my ride tonight in balmy 38 degrees temp in Jacksonville, Florida. I only managed an hour tonight, don't have the gear for these temps. Suppose to get to 25 or so here tonight and tomorrow and will be at freezing for the next week. But temps be damn, I'm getting my miles in.

bdinger

Gaah here it's getting worse. I had planned commuting yesterday and today, but with morning temperatures below 0... it hasn't happened yet.

Still hoping. I may just tough it out tomorrow, because I miss being in the saddle!

Tom Stormcrowe

My heart bleeds, jax! We have a high of +7 today and it's dropping below zero tonight! I'm riding the Gerbil Wheel today!

Hambone

I'm ok with the cold. I just don't like riding in snow on my road bike. My goal is to get the old MTB dusted off and throw some fenders on it by week's end.

I rode this past Friday. It was nine degrees and windy.

The worst part was at around 40 minutes into the ride I got a flat. The plastic of the Road Morph pump is not intended to be that cold and when I tried to lock the pump to the tube, it broke.

Hambone

I decided to let the magic eight ball be my guide.

Unless there is snow on the ground, I let it decide if I am "allowed" to whimp out of the ride.

I asked it about riding tomorrow,

geraldatwork

Here on Long Island, NY two weeks ago I did a 51 mile ride in 30 degree temperature with a 25 mile wind gusting to 35. Its all good if you have the proper clothing. I will admit I was cold at times, and once on a bridge I was almost blown off the bike by a gust. But for more punishment I did 49 miles last Sat with 30 degree temps and little wind. Next weekends forcast is more of the same. Where is global warming when you need it.

bdinger

ROFL. Here that would be pretty much every day, lately. If it's in the double digits, or at least forecasted, I'm game. But man, that blast of Nebraska wind going down the side of the highway when the "temperature" is 4 degrees... no way. Call me a weenie, but hahah, I want to live!