winter newbies
 

i always feel a little nervous that it's Just Me when i start something like this. we have a winter cycling forum and the extreme-commute thread, but i thought it might also be nice to have a thread where anyone commuting through winter for the first time can check in with other first-winter folks, describe their conditions, say why they've decided to try and go all the way through this year, report how it's going, etc . . .

so who's out there besides me?

I'm a newbie winter commuter. But I'm also a newbie commuter. Only been commuting for about 2 months. I also live in Dallas so I don't have much (read "any") chance of snow or ice. I plan to keep riding as my only problem will be cold (to me). I read so much about people dealing with snow and ice and negative temp's and all this stuff, I feel I have to keep riding in the cold. I can withstand temperatures pretty well. My wife on the other hand who started commuting about 2 months ago as well, has pretty quit for the winter. She does not like the cold at all. I'll be lucky to get her to go out on Sunday afternoon rides with me when it is a little warmer than early in the morning.

:D i'm more like your wife. how cold does it get in dallas? there's usually something to make winter unpleasant in every part of the world, even if it's not actual temperatures. at the moment i'm reading forecasts for -8 celsius next week, which is mild for canada, but thinking that i'd much rather deal with just-above-freezing and pouring rain.

I'm a newbie winter commuter too :D Here it usually gets cold when it's dry (so far the lowest has been 31 - 32 F) but mostly it rains so it's not so bad.

I'm anticipating that my biggest problem would be ice on the road because I work up a hill where temperatures are a few degrees lower than where I live and there are some sharp turns on the way too. It's also steep, so it might get dangerous on the way home. I don't think I've ever ridden on ice before, so I guess I'll just wait and see... Maybe I should find a way to practice what to do in case of skidding and falling down...

Doesn't really get that cold. Rarely below freezing. Lately it has been mid to high 40's in the morning and high 50's to mid 60's during the day. It has dipped into the 30's and close to freezing once already but jumped back up a day later. It's really not so bad but it is still November and only getting colder. I got her to ride to dinner with me a week or so ago when it was plenty cold out and she realized it was not so bad so maybe she'll ride a bit longer. She seems fine when she's going riding with me, but doesn't seem to have the motivation to tackle it alone.

i think ice is my biggest bogeyman too. yet part of me is kind of looking forward to it, and another part of me is really wrapped up in the puzzle of realising i'd probably prefer to bike than to drive, really. bike seems safer somehow. at the very least a wiped-out bike is easier to leave behind when you hike off to the bus-stop than a wiped-out car.

they're calling snow flurries today, and i have errands to do. i'm taking my bike, so maybe that'll be another first. i'm also thinking of knitting myself one of these suddenly:

http://www.hjsstudio.com/redbala.html

not so much because i need them as because they make me laugh so much i feel i can't pass them up. look at helmet c - it looks like a norman fortified tower out of 'monty python and the holy grail'.

This will be my first winter commuting as well. I hope we can keep this thread going, I'm sure we could all use the support and advice.

I'm a bit apprehensive about wintery road conditions as well. My commute is 100% on urban streets so the two biggest bugaboos are slush and black ice. I'm going to stick with my road slicks for now, at least until I get a feel for how they handle in slippery conditions. From what I've gleaned here on the forums, studs would be overkill for the kind of conditions I will be seeing.

The other issue I've been struggling with is gear. I've almost gotten almost everything I will need, the biggest exception so far being a nice breathable/waterproof jacket. I'm disappointed in the cycling jackets I've been looking at so far. They're all cut for a road-style low profile while on the saddle, which makes them supremely uncomfortable while standing, or sitting mostly upright as I do on my hybrid. I'd like the jacket to be a high-vis color though, and I'm having trouble finding a non-cycling jacket like that.

I'm confused about your problem with cycling specific jackets. What do you mean by "cut for a road-style low profile while on the saddle?" I just got a Gill Pro Speed jacket for winter/wet weather riding and while it is very form fitting and comfortable on the bike (both road and MTB), it's also quite useful/comfortable as an everyday jacket. Maybe I'm shaped better than you :) In an attempt to actually be useful, I'd suggest looking at runner's gear seeing as how they have the same visiility needs as cyclists yet are upright for (most of) their exercise. The Pearl Izumi Encore jacket might be worth looking at (if it's in your price range). I bought one and probably would have kept it had it fit better. The medium (the smallest size offered) felt too bulky which is something I like to stay away from for riding. Otherwise, it's a very nice jacket. My Gill jacket is made from the same eVent fabric and is completely waterproof yet breathable (much more so than any other jacket I've ever worn).

And to be on topic with the original intent of this thread, I'm a newbie winter commuter too. I started commuting at the end of last winter so I have a decent amount of commuting experience but no snow/ice experience (except for some during college in Philly). I have my studded tires ready to go and can't wait to try them out. I'm sure I'll learn a ton my first time but until then, I'll be checking this thread and others in hopes of gathering a bit more knowledge about what I'll be getting myself into.

no joe ... you are not making me jelaous of your commuting in the snow willingness.

Call me chicken .... pek pek pek pek pek

waitaminute. wasn't that you in the ninja-dude gear over in the winter cycling forum?

I generally wear a medium/40 men's jacket size. I'm of average build, and not overweight (5'7" 165lbs), so no, I'm not carrying a tire around my waist ;) Nonetheless, many of the cycling jackets I've tried have been uncomfortably tight at the neck and too snug in front. They are obviously cut to be comfortable when in a low, bent-over position on the cycle. Maybe I've just been unlucky in not finding a great selection at the stores I've checked out so far.

Thanks for the tip about Gill Speed and IP, I'll check those out. I'm trying to stay at or under $100 however... really, I am :P

fwiw, i'm using a mec jacket that's waterproof and most definitely NOT breathable fabric, and doesn't even have zips or eyelets to compensate. like you, i'm having trouble finding whatever would turn out to be the Perfect jacket. i'm also all about visibility and i come home in the dark, so this has been my final top layer for 95% of my rides so far because of the scotchlite strips and the eye-bleed yellow colour. course, it's been easier to decide on using it because we never seem to get a day between october and may that doesn't have some rain in it :p

anyway, my point just being that layering the right wicking/warmth stuff underneath it has made the search for breathable waterproof gear much less urgent for me. it still doesn't breathe, and i still sweat into it, but to be honest i just don't notice it while i'm riding. the layers keep my skin dry so i stay warm, and usually i strip the jacket inside out when i take it off, and leave it to dry while i'm showering. if your'e in a hurry you can wipe it down, provided you don't mind the gross factor.

what i wear underneath: powerdry t-shirt from taiga, fleece layers as needed and/or standard silk dress shirts (silk just rocks for warmth even when wet, and you'd be amazed how much of it is in goodwill stores). this has got me through with no problems at all so far, in temperatures anywhere between 10 and 0 C. as it gets colder i'm planning to keep adding silk rather than fleece if i can. the jacket probably isn't exactly what you're looking for because of the cut, but the non-breathability info might be worthwhile to you.

I just use my ski jacket. Has pit zips, removable fleece inner jacket, waterproof, etc. Not a hi-viz color, but that's my preference for fashion.

I like the idea of this thread for periodic encouragement, although tankfully between the winter riding, extreme commute club and other threads there is a lot of practical experience to draw on in this forum.

I started commuting at the very end of last winter and skipped riding in the few snow/rainstorms we had before the weather and my gear improved. This will be the first year riding through the depths of winter. Personally I would rather have dry cold over wet. It was down in the upper 20s one morning and that was fine. I really hate the 40 degree rain days. I haven't decided if there is a minimum temp that I will ride in -- I guess it will depend on how much of my gear list is filled by Christmas.

I'll try to post any revelations I may have as winter progresses and good luck to everyone!!!

This will be my first winter also. However, Denver tends to have mild winters. Sure we get the occasional snow storm but it usually disappears in two days. So, I am sitting things out when it snows. I am more concerned with surving the temperatures. However, things are going well so far.

Not sure if it will work for you, but I bought a breathable/waterproof jacket from www.bicycleclothing.com. I ride a hybrid and I like it. I've been wearing it as a wind shell this winter.

I'm with you guys. New to winter and commuting in general. I'm thinking of driving to my first major landmark to get me in the saddle more often, vs. longer each commute. I'm definately a fair weather commuter to this point. Riding in the cold rain sounds like it could be fun, I just haven't gotten over that WET part yet. My budget is also limited, esp. this time of year. I hope to get a ride in this week.

We're close in size (I'm 5'8.5" and 158ish). If you normally wear a size 40 jacket, than the PI jacket should fit you ok. I have a 37" chest and generally wear a size small but like I said, they only had mediums. FWIW, with a 20% off coupon, the PI jacket is only $96. It's got your name on it ;)

Before giving me any credit, let me at least get one real snow commute on the books. At this point, I'm all show, no go :)

do it in manageable steps. You'll get comfortable with what you do now, and soon you'll have saved enough gas money to justify some good rain-wear. I still need to buy myself some good footwear for the rain.

Probably the worst mistake a newbie can make is underestimating the weather. For temps below 45...a 5-10F drop in temerature is significant. If you're traveling over 10miles, always have a plan B in mind. i.e., carry an extra shirt, and scarf or have a bail out plan of some sort.

There's nothing worse than being 15miles out with no place to warm up, get water or go to the bathroom. Also keep a log of what worked for a particular temperature range.

For those who've cycled a year or more...Remember that what worked last year may not work this year because your circulation has improved. You actually may need to wear less on your torso, but remember to wear warm gear on head, neck, knees and feet.

I think VRKELLEY brings up an important point about having a back-up. I started carrying one of those mylar emergency blankets just in case. Dressing for the ride, even five miles through a dense urban area, means that if I stop when it's very cold, I may well be hypothermic before I can change a tire, get on a bus, taxi, or other 'bail-out' option. Don't forget a little extra $$ to buy your way out of trouble too.

Does anyone carry those heat pads for the hands or feet? I can not remember what they are called. You activate them when in need of heat. I think they are chemical based.

It's getting colder here in Denver but we haven't yet had any snow. I'm proud to say I've maintained a five day a week to work commute and a seven day a week errand runner. The part the scares me isn't getting the right clothes (if I can spend 6 hours boarding down a freezing mountain I should be able to dress for 1 hour of bike riding) but because this is Denver I'm riding on my hybrid slicks. When the snow comes am I going to die? Is there anyone who has survived winters on wheels like these? Please tell me how, I'd prefer not to die.

I'm thinking of checking this one out, how do you get a 20% off coupon?