Sweet season almost over
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,228
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From: Toronto, CANADA
Bikes: ...a few.
Sweet season almost over
Up where I live this is the sweet spot of the year for riding to work--cool mornings, warmer afternoons, early sunrise, late sunset for late commuter, no issues related to winter like cold, snow, and ice. It is the best time of the year, from about mid-April to mid-May, which is now. But there is some really hot and humid stuff in the forecast this week that's going to make it possibly sweaty in the morning, definitely sweaty in the afternoon. Less enjoyable.
So, enjoy it while it lasts, folks.
So, enjoy it while it lasts, folks.
#2
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I prefer summer. I really hate having to wear more in the morning then haul it back in a bag in the afternoon. In the summer it's the same clothes both ways. I really like riding when it's hot though.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#3
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...
I agree, the ride home has been pretty pleasant for the last few days; and it won't be long before it's unpleasantly hot.
But I don't really like to think of it as the sweet season. Whatever the weather, I have to get to work... and I'll be doing that on my bike.
But I don't really like to think of it as the sweet season. Whatever the weather, I have to get to work... and I'll be doing that on my bike.
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#5
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,424
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
This has been the most spring-like spring in my memory. Too often, it toggles between wintry and summery weather until it sticks into summer. We've had some unusually cold days, and we've had some heavy rain. People have been complaining, and I've been telling them to shut up. I like it all.
This morning was extra special because I had a slight tailwind coming to work.
This morning was extra special because I had a slight tailwind coming to work.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
This is definitely the best for San Diego too. 50-60 in the morning usually, 60-80 in the evening. I can most of the time get by with just short sleeves.
In the summer it's great in the morning (short sleeves every day) but 80-100 in the evening. In the winter it's multiple layers in the morning (it can get frosty around dawn), and maybe T+1 layer in the evening.
In the summer it's great in the morning (short sleeves every day) but 80-100 in the evening. In the winter it's multiple layers in the morning (it can get frosty around dawn), and maybe T+1 layer in the evening.
#8
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
#9
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,424
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
And don't talk to us about weather in San Diego.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 984
Likes: 243
From: Boston Roads
Bikes: 2012 Canondale Synapse 105, 2017 REI Co-Op ADV 3.1
Haha, indeed.
I have this thinnish long-sleeve Novara fleece jersey which I found out works for me from 50 up to 80 (have to roll up sleeves and take it a bit slower at the higher end). 50 and above I just do shorts, below 50 I wear a pair of longjohns under the shorts and a thin poly or wool/poly long-sleeve on my torso and that'll be good down to 40. The base layers take up barely any room on the way back.
What's much more troublesome is those days with 35-degree mornings and 65-degree afternoons... theeen I have to don my pants and jacket and lug it all back.
I have this thinnish long-sleeve Novara fleece jersey which I found out works for me from 50 up to 80 (have to roll up sleeves and take it a bit slower at the higher end). 50 and above I just do shorts, below 50 I wear a pair of longjohns under the shorts and a thin poly or wool/poly long-sleeve on my torso and that'll be good down to 40. The base layers take up barely any room on the way back.
What's much more troublesome is those days with 35-degree mornings and 65-degree afternoons... theeen I have to don my pants and jacket and lug it all back.
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,228
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From: Toronto, CANADA
Bikes: ...a few.
#13
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
true, but that only affects me after we switch back to standard time in early november. during DST, i always have plenty of daylight for both ends of my commute. and i always have plenty of daylight for my morning commute year-round. the only time i have darkenss is for the evening commute for the 18 weeks that we're on standard time (early novemember to mid march).
so really, the absolute sweetest time of year for bike commuting for me is from mid-sept (when summer's brutal heat and humidity have typically tapered off a bit) up until we switch our clocks back an hour in early november. those 7 weeks are usually MAGICAL!
so really, the absolute sweetest time of year for bike commuting for me is from mid-sept (when summer's brutal heat and humidity have typically tapered off a bit) up until we switch our clocks back an hour in early november. those 7 weeks are usually MAGICAL!
#15
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,230
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
#16
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,424
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
For all the home value we have here, we have an awful climate. But I shouldn't complain.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#17
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,332
Likes: 3,520
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I thought sweet season was Halloween through Easter, when the chocolates have holiday themes.
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
I was just thinking about that on this morning's ride in. It was very pleasant.
#20
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,424
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
It was 70º as I headed out today, and the expected high is 88º. The blessedly long period of cool weather is over now.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#21
When I lived in Berrien County MI, "sweet season" was late summer / fall.
There were many grape growers in the area, and riding downwind of the crops, the air was so sweet with the overpowering smell of grapes, that I wondered if I was inhaling more calories than I was burning.
There were many grape growers in the area, and riding downwind of the crops, the air was so sweet with the overpowering smell of grapes, that I wondered if I was inhaling more calories than I was burning.
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