2016! how was your commute today?
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
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From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
It felt super windy this morning, but the weather report said it was only 10mph. I guess 10mph constant headwind after a holiday weekend is tougher than I thought.
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 514
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
Bikes: Klein Quantum Race; Cannondale Supersix EVO Di2; Trek Crossrip LTD; Trek Boone 9 Disc
First commute of the year for me as well. Around 20F when I left the house, which is the coldest commute of the season for me thus far. I was actually a little over-dressed, and had to unzip my outer layer to keep from getting too sweaty. Otherwise a nice commute.
I had a little over 4,000-miles of commuting in 2015, and would like to duplicate in 2016. However, my job will likely have a bit more business-travel this year, so it might be difficult.
I had a little over 4,000-miles of commuting in 2015, and would like to duplicate in 2016. However, my job will likely have a bit more business-travel this year, so it might be difficult.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
First commute of 2016 and we had nice weather for a change. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come. It was also my coldest commute in a while, with temps in the low 30s F, but rather mild for January. We are supposed to have our coldest weather of the winter so far this week, with temps dipping to the low 20s over the next few mornings. Unfortunately, I won't be able to ride to work tomorrow because I have an out-of-town meeting for work and won't get back until midnight or so.
I've decided not to set any commuting goals, other than riding as much as time and weather permits. I set a goal of 5,000 miles commuting in 2015 and fell about 200 miles short due to all of the rain we had. We finished the year more than 12" above normal and had the highest number of rainy days on record. If the weather is more favorable, I could easily top 5,000 K, but rainy weather really cuts into my riding time.
I've decided not to set any commuting goals, other than riding as much as time and weather permits. I set a goal of 5,000 miles commuting in 2015 and fell about 200 miles short due to all of the rain we had. We finished the year more than 12" above normal and had the highest number of rainy days on record. If the weather is more favorable, I could easily top 5,000 K, but rainy weather really cuts into my riding time.
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 415
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From: Black Hills, SD
Bikes: Montague Para Trooper High line
A bit wet, was happy to try out my new Showers Pass Elite jacket in the rain. I have used it as a windbreaker on cold early morning commutes, first time in the rain and it kept me nice and dry.
#30
First commute for me in 2016 as well. Damn cold: -17C with a windchill. Made a bad call this morning not using the chemical hand warmers. Fingers and toes were in bad shape after 25 minutes. I got to use a neoprene balaclava with ski-like goggles. The goggles worked okay, and I was surprised that they did not fog up with the balaclava. I had this problem with glasses and balaclava when I run with them in extreme cold.
Also, after a two-week break with no riding at all, I didn't feel quite as strong, but that could be the cold, or the 35mm studded tires. Either way, it didn't matter. I got here safely and on time. Mission accomplished.
Also, after a two-week break with no riding at all, I didn't feel quite as strong, but that could be the cold, or the 35mm studded tires. Either way, it didn't matter. I got here safely and on time. Mission accomplished.
#31
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
someone said that it was snowing outside! in NC i am pretty excited about it!
#32
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
Bikes: 1999 Seven Sola, 2004 Bianchi Axis, 2005 Trek Madone 5.2 SL, 2006 Merlin Works CR 3/2.5, 2009 Kona Ute, Spot Acme, 2017 Raleigh Roker Comp, 2016 Specialized Camber Expert 29
Wet, but mild.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 646
From: Toronto
Bikes: Sekine 1979 ten speed racer
It's always a good day to bike. I got my skin lotion ready but didn't use it. It was borderline. I will tomorrow. My bag was packed with week of clothing and bath towel to start the new year.
#34
oh man was it cold. 16F/-9C with a mild headwind. Had the full winter ensemble on including a new pair of Merrill boots my wife got me for Christmas. Overall I was warm but my toes did get a bit tingly. Had to stop to open my water bottle since it froze up.
#35
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Cold.
According to my phone (which gets its information from the tower or something) it was 10F when I rode to the station this morning, -6F with wind chill. And it was painful. By the time I got on the train my core was warm and my fingers and toes were cold. At first the train seemed warm, but over the hour that I sat on it, it seemed to get colder and colder. By the time I got on a CitiBike for the last stretch of my ride, I was freezing again.
Oh, and my office is cold, too. I don't usually complain, but today seemed like a good day for it.
According to my phone (which gets its information from the tower or something) it was 10F when I rode to the station this morning, -6F with wind chill. And it was painful. By the time I got on the train my core was warm and my fingers and toes were cold. At first the train seemed warm, but over the hour that I sat on it, it seemed to get colder and colder. By the time I got on a CitiBike for the last stretch of my ride, I was freezing again.
Oh, and my office is cold, too. I don't usually complain, but today seemed like a good day for it.
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#36
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 22
From: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR
Yesterday's ride home was windy. Temp was in the upper 30s, but the wind made it feel a bit colder. I was okay riding, but at a couple of stop signs I could feel it. I can already tell it is staying light just a bit later, or maybe it is just because there were no clouds making it dark early.
About 22F this morning, quite a bit colder than yesterday. I added an extra base layer and felt okay. My toes got a bit cold, but they're alright now. Beautiful clear, blue sky this morning.
About 22F this morning, quite a bit colder than yesterday. I added an extra base layer and felt okay. My toes got a bit cold, but they're alright now. Beautiful clear, blue sky this morning.
#37
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Heavy load this morning.. have errands to run after work. Temp wasn't too bad and I didn't over dress for once. Got held up by a damn train but I guess it was a good but cold break.
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
From: Burlington, ON
Bikes: 2017 Breezer Radar Expert, 2016 Kona Wo, 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer Single Speed
It was very cold in Burlington, Ontario yesterday for my first commute. I dressed well and it was great for the ride in. On the way home, I got a flat.... I don't think I called my wife all year last year to help me out (commuting every day) and this year, on my first commute - it was so cold that I didn't bother try changing my tire. I glad I didn't too as it was a hard to find very small piece of wire stuck in the tire. So - I don't have to worry about holding off calling my wife or worrying about not talking about flats as I have accomplished both on my first official commute!! WooHoo. I suppose it will only get better. Ride in today was equally cold but I still enjoyed it.
#39
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 428
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Posted yesterday's commute in the 2015 thread. Doh! It's over there for anyone extremely bored or suffering from insomnia.
Being that yesterday was the first time on a bike in 17 days (was gone on a trip over the holidays), I woke up this morning with my legs a bit sore. Kind of funny how fast you lose fitness. I could have used it as an excuse to drive, but instead decided a little "hair of the dog" is exactly what I needed to get back into shape. So I rode.
Uneventful commute to work. 19 degrees with a pretty stout south wind, which meant I had it at my back. The winds are supposed to pick up through out the day so I'll get to fight a good headwind on the way home. If there has to be wind at all, I prefer to fight it on the way to work so I have an easy ride home. Not today I guess.
Sounds like next week the temps will be dropping below zero for the first time this winter. Usually we'll get those starting in late November or early December. We've had single digit days, but overall it's been pretty warm for our area this year. Right now I'm working from a client's office so my commute is half of what it normally is (4 miles each way instead of 8.) I don't mind that so much during spells of sub-zero weather as it makes the decision to ride a lot easier. In extremely frigid temps 4 miles is relatively easy while 8 miles can become a test of endurance.
Being that yesterday was the first time on a bike in 17 days (was gone on a trip over the holidays), I woke up this morning with my legs a bit sore. Kind of funny how fast you lose fitness. I could have used it as an excuse to drive, but instead decided a little "hair of the dog" is exactly what I needed to get back into shape. So I rode.
Uneventful commute to work. 19 degrees with a pretty stout south wind, which meant I had it at my back. The winds are supposed to pick up through out the day so I'll get to fight a good headwind on the way home. If there has to be wind at all, I prefer to fight it on the way to work so I have an easy ride home. Not today I guess.
Sounds like next week the temps will be dropping below zero for the first time this winter. Usually we'll get those starting in late November or early December. We've had single digit days, but overall it's been pretty warm for our area this year. Right now I'm working from a client's office so my commute is half of what it normally is (4 miles each way instead of 8.) I don't mind that so much during spells of sub-zero weather as it makes the decision to ride a lot easier. In extremely frigid temps 4 miles is relatively easy while 8 miles can become a test of endurance.
#40
Zip tie Karen
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,005
Likes: 1,546
From: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Winped Out
EDIT: "Wimped", with an M
#41
Fingers and toes fared better this morning, but just. Goggles, and then glasses fogged up on very stop, sometimes requiring a minute or two of riding to clear. Eventually ditched them both. Another issue that needs to be addressed before tomorrow.
STI shifters on rear slow to respond on upshifts. I am guessing the extreme cold is the cause. Not sure how to address this one yet other than taking a different bike.
STI shifters on rear slow to respond on upshifts. I am guessing the extreme cold is the cause. Not sure how to address this one yet other than taking a different bike.
#42
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Tough ride home last night with a strong headwind out of the north. It started snowing several times during my commute but it wasn't cold enough to stick with temps in the mid-30s. I had to drive today due to an meeting out of town, so I missed what would have been my coldest commute since last winter, with temps in the mid-20s. I should be back in the saddle tomorrow, however, with temps forecasted to be in low 20s.
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: Fairdale Weekender Drop, Motobecane 29LTD, Cannondale H400, Basso Coral
18F with a little headwind. I guess it really is winter
#44
Last night was a bit nippy seemed a better ride than it was going to work even though it was colder, I think maybe 28F give or take . Could be worse but at least there is hardly any traffic when i get off at night. Still finding it amusing when people see me roll up at work saying its to cold for all that yada yada yada... they don't even know lol
#45
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Bikes: Ridley Noah fast, Colnago CLX,Giant Propel Advanced, Pinnerello Gogma 65.1, Specialized S-works Venge, CAADX,Cervelo S3
30 degrees cold, my power meter died
and picked up a $20 on the grass
and picked up a $20 on the grass
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
Rear brakes froze right out of the garage this morning. Must be some water in the cable housing.
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
First commute of 2016, and of course, I overslept.
Left the house at 6:40 instead of my usual 6 AM. 26°F this morning. Went with 3 layers up top, 2 layers down below including bib tights. Wool socks and full shoe covers - toes still froze. I think battery or chemical warmers are going to be my only solution to being out in sub-freezing temps for 80 minutes at a time. I've tried everything else and simply nothing works.
First commute running a GoPro camera. Still have some kinks to work out with the camera mount as it kept slipping and pointing down some throughout the ride. Need to get a larger memory card as a single 32GB card won't cover an entire round trip commute... at least not when running 1080p/60
It's all about that smooth motion video.
Left the house at 6:40 instead of my usual 6 AM. 26°F this morning. Went with 3 layers up top, 2 layers down below including bib tights. Wool socks and full shoe covers - toes still froze. I think battery or chemical warmers are going to be my only solution to being out in sub-freezing temps for 80 minutes at a time. I've tried everything else and simply nothing works.First commute running a GoPro camera. Still have some kinks to work out with the camera mount as it kept slipping and pointing down some throughout the ride. Need to get a larger memory card as a single 32GB card won't cover an entire round trip commute... at least not when running 1080p/60
It's all about that smooth motion video.
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX8, Caad10, Marin BearValley, WTP BMX, Norco Tandem
yesterday was unpredictable: some sections were icy, some snow covered, some clear, some wet.
I was wet at the end of the commute and my toes were cold.
Today it was raining (just above freezing), and I was happy to see the rain because it provides a predictable riding surface!!
I was wet at the end of the commute and my toes were cold.
Today it was raining (just above freezing), and I was happy to see the rain because it provides a predictable riding surface!!
#50
Thread Starter
Day trip lover
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: capital city of iowa
Bikes: '16 Giant Escape 3 (fair weather ride), Giant Quasar (work in progress), 2002 saturn vue (crap weather ride)
This morning it was absolutely cold. It was so cold that car exhaust was freezing out of the air and hitting me like it was flurries. Not cool.
If I remember right, it was 16° F with a wind chill of 6°F.
If I remember right, it was 16° F with a wind chill of 6°F.
Last edited by mr geeker; 01-05-16 at 07:15 PM.






