How was your January?
#1
Thread Starter
bici accumulatori

Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 855
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From: Hamilton, Ottawa, Maberly, Apsley, Ontario
Bikes: 1985 Nishiki International Touring Bike, 1992 Vitus 979 road bike, 1996 Bianchi Premio road bike, 2002 Thin Blue LIne CO2 mountain bike, 2007 Rocky Mountain Sherpa touring bike, 1964 CCM roadster, 1959 CCM Motorbike, 2002 KHS FXT mtb + more to fix!
How was your January?
Mine was great, I'm surprised that it's over already! Biking to work really made the month go quickly.
I put in 408 kilometres (253 miles), rode on 14 days (some were half commutes) and rode in temps from -14 C to +1 C. I wimped out 3 times due to cold, once due to snow and the rest were legitimate excuses!
Only bike trouble has been continually freezing rear brake cable (don't use the brakes much anyway!)
How was your month riding to work?
I put in 408 kilometres (253 miles), rode on 14 days (some were half commutes) and rode in temps from -14 C to +1 C. I wimped out 3 times due to cold, once due to snow and the rest were legitimate excuses!
Only bike trouble has been continually freezing rear brake cable (don't use the brakes much anyway!)
How was your month riding to work?
#3
Banned

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 2
From: upstate New York
Well, this is what January was like here:
29 days with snowfall in a row.
21 days in a row of temperatures never rising above freezing.
50-some-odd inches of snow.
5 nights below zero degrees farenheit (about -20 celsius).
at least 5 days with winds over 35 mph.
Grey skies, snow covered streets, salt and slush, etc., etc.
Oh, yes, the local economy is in a depression, too.
29 days with snowfall in a row.
21 days in a row of temperatures never rising above freezing.
50-some-odd inches of snow.
5 nights below zero degrees farenheit (about -20 celsius).
at least 5 days with winds over 35 mph.
Grey skies, snow covered streets, salt and slush, etc., etc.
Oh, yes, the local economy is in a depression, too.
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Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Until Mid March I am off my 12 hour shift, so I only get to ride on weekends or at night.. So work is soo early- no way I can commute to work; which usually accounts for over 250 miles a month..
So with just riding on weekends, my grand total is 617 miles, of course January has a couple holidays; so that helps get in the miles with the extra days off.. Short February will probaby be a bad month for miles.. Doing the 100 mile day at Death Valley will help, but that is not until March. Back on shift mid- March.. Then I can count on 600-800 miles a month..
ps- Gawl, has the weather been nice out here. 70's today, often high 70's.. that has helped to get in the miles- great weather great riding..
So with just riding on weekends, my grand total is 617 miles, of course January has a couple holidays; so that helps get in the miles with the extra days off.. Short February will probaby be a bad month for miles.. Doing the 100 mile day at Death Valley will help, but that is not until March. Back on shift mid- March.. Then I can count on 600-800 miles a month..
ps- Gawl, has the weather been nice out here. 70's today, often high 70's.. that has helped to get in the miles- great weather great riding..
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: SE Ohio
Commutes were minimal. Only did this a couple of times through out the month. We had a lot of snow, lot of cold weather, but I did get in a bike ride every day. One with a flat tire which sucked.
Great month except heating used a lot of fire wood that I will now have to replace. Found some nice places to get some fire wood if I can get permission from the land owners.
Great month except heating used a lot of fire wood that I will now have to replace. Found some nice places to get some fire wood if I can get permission from the land owners.
#8
Glad to know I'm not alone. We had the 21 straight days of sub-freezing temps including a commute at -11 degrees F, a new personal best / worst. As a commuter of 19 months, finding myself midway through my second winter, the question "Why am I doing this?" has played out in my mind frequently as I've ridden to and from work this January.
Statements like "You must be nuts" or "What's wrong with you?" from co-workers and other people I encounter have more sting then before.
I think I'll ride through this to better days, but this January has been a Mother.
Statements like "You must be nuts" or "What's wrong with you?" from co-workers and other people I encounter have more sting then before.
I think I'll ride through this to better days, but this January has been a Mother.
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2003 Iceman Challenge - 2:34:55 - 897 / 2,000*
2002 Iceman Challenge - 2:39:23 - 1093 / 2,186
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*estimated
2003 Iceman Challenge - 2:34:55 - 897 / 2,000*
2002 Iceman Challenge - 2:39:23 - 1093 / 2,186
2000 Iceman Challenge - 2:49:18 - 1516 / 2,153
*estimated
#9
I think Im getting gills. I put on a few hundred miles commuting to work in January in the rain, wind, rain, little bit of over cast and more rain. I definitely need new rain gear. I dont mind getting wet but actually putting the cold wet stuff back on after work...especially the padded shorts....turns you into a woman.
#10
Center of the Universe

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: Bianchi San Remo, Norvara Intrepid MTB , Softride Solo 700
Yes it was a little on the wet side here more of a spring wet (we have two seasons here, warm wet and cold wet) with the warmer temperatures and none of the freezing mist we tend to get around here. I put in just under 400 miles on my commute and boy did the month go by fast. Funny thing happened on thursdays commute but one of the wheels on my dérailleur fell off never had that happen had to walk the last mile to catch the bus and the mile from the Everett Station to home. and TLN you never do get used to the cold wet gear, but I have been commuting long enough the company has given me the space to hang up my gear my boss even brought in an electric shoe dryer for me to use.
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Matthew 6
Matthew 6
#11
Nice boss.
I just get to lay my stuff over the other side of my workstation. But since the air isnt really moving around that much my quick-dry stuff is a bit damp at the end of the day. But after a couple of miles I start to heat up and then its just a warm wet feeling, which I dont mind. Better warm wet than cold wet.
I just get to lay my stuff over the other side of my workstation. But since the air isnt really moving around that much my quick-dry stuff is a bit damp at the end of the day. But after a couple of miles I start to heat up and then its just a warm wet feeling, which I dont mind. Better warm wet than cold wet.
#12
The Flying Scot

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
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From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Awful. Weather and the cold conspired to minimise my commuting. Only 75 miles or so.
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#14
Slow and unsteady

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: St Louis, MO
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 520
My january sucked.
I had sinus problems and flu and rode only a few times. Riding in sub-freezing temps (down to 10F) bothered my sinuses and made it a miserable time.
Today it's in the 60s. Maybe Feb will be better.
I had sinus problems and flu and rode only a few times. Riding in sub-freezing temps (down to 10F) bothered my sinuses and made it a miserable time.
Today it's in the 60s. Maybe Feb will be better.
#15
It's been an interesting January here in Minneapolis, the first couple of weeks the weather was wonderful (by Minnesota standards), warm and no snow. Well, that didn't last, from then on it's been as cold as -14F (-26C) and many nuisance snows (light but messy roads) and now we just got clobbered with 8 inches of heavy wet snow. I still managed 316 miles (508.5 C's). For the most part it was a good month... for January.
--Mark
--Mark
#16
Nice summer in Hobart (average 22 Celsius), except for a couple of days with forest fires (average 35 Celsius). Just started riding again after a couple of years not doing much exercise after hurting my right knee and foot.
Slowly increasing the distance and speed, but struggling at some times (Hobart is very hilly). I think if I'm careful I won't have many problems with my body, but I really enjoy myself riding again
Slowly increasing the distance and speed, but struggling at some times (Hobart is very hilly). I think if I'm careful I won't have many problems with my body, but I really enjoy myself riding again
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Norwood, MA
Bikes: Felt F-70, Terry Madeleine, Novara Safari fully customized by me
Only fair for me, with various trips to MD's and my Mom, I only managed to commute 10 days. At least the weather has let me try out my new winter bike under winter conditions, which hardly happened last year.
#18
It was a good month for me, I rode 20 days and covered 865kms/540miles. I had three races with a best place of 3rd. The heat was the only thing that stopped me riding more. We had our hottest day in 21 years, 44.1ºC/111F on a Saturday and I only managed 45km/28miles that day.
171km/107miles for this month already, gotta love summer.
CHEERS.
Mark
171km/107miles for this month already, gotta love summer.
CHEERS.
Mark
#19
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 757
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From: Somerset, KY -- near Lake Cumberland
Bikes: 1980 Univega; 1985 Ross; 1994 Trek 1400 -- all road bikes
January in Kentucky was bad. Cold, rain, sleet and very little sun. I got in about 20 miles all month, and gained 10 pounds.
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"I am a true laborer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness, glad of other men's good, content with my harm." As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 2. Shakespeare.
"Deep down, I'm pretty superficial." Ava Gardner.
"I am a true laborer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness, glad of other men's good, content with my harm." As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 2. Shakespeare.
"Deep down, I'm pretty superficial." Ava Gardner.
#20
Miserable. I've had a flu since December, so I haven't been able to commute by bike at all. Lately I've done a few short trips during the weekends just for fun, so I've got probably 35 kms in January. This sucks.
--J
--J
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#21
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, Calif.
excellent. most excellent. it is the end of my first six months of bicycle commuting and i have developed a composite plan involving riding/rail travel that leaves me with just the right amount of miles but not too much. well maybe i could stand to do a few more than my daily 16 miles but i'm making up for the difference by re-upping at my local gym and doing some strength training
i am convinced that longer commutes that start and end in the cold and dark are not sustainable.
as far as the weather, i don't want to rub it in. i live in california, see? moved here 18 years ago and with any luck they'll bury my bones one fine summer day on a hill overlooking the bay. hopefully none too soon!
i am convinced that longer commutes that start and end in the cold and dark are not sustainable.
as far as the weather, i don't want to rub it in. i live in california, see? moved here 18 years ago and with any luck they'll bury my bones one fine summer day on a hill overlooking the bay. hopefully none too soon!
#22
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Is it too late to comment on January's commuting?
Well, anyway, it was great here in the Bay Area. Nice temps and actually little rain. I think we had a decade's worth in November/December.
I feel for the people here who slog through a commute in super-cold tempatures.
I didn't get nearly as many commutes as I had hoped for a variety of reasons, but definitely not from a lack of interest.
Well, anyway, it was great here in the Bay Area. Nice temps and actually little rain. I think we had a decade's worth in November/December.
I feel for the people here who slog through a commute in super-cold tempatures.
I didn't get nearly as many commutes as I had hoped for a variety of reasons, but definitely not from a lack of interest.
#23
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Pretty good. The city sells discounted parking passes to people who commute by bike or mass transit for the occasional times you need to drive. I haven't had to use one yet.
Put in 224 total miles this month. Not too shabby by my standards.
Put in 224 total miles this month. Not too shabby by my standards.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Fair Oaks, CA USA
Bikes: 96' DeRose SLX, '04 Cervelo P2K, ~'80 Schwin converted to fixie, '04 Jamis Nova
580 miles for Jan. I started driving on Wednesdays to break up the week and spend more time with my daughter, so I lost a few miles. Plus one day was just to foggy (couldn't see the street from my garage).
Nothing really below 42F here, just a bunch of fog
You guys that commute in sub freezing and/or snow are crazy.
Nothing really below 42F here, just a bunch of fog
You guys that commute in sub freezing and/or snow are crazy.
#25
someone has to post an upbeat report ...
I had the month off, looking for work after being made redundant in December.
So it was wasn't a normal commute month. But I did manage to lay down 1734 km (1083 mi). There were 27 ride days - the 4 days off were to recover/prepare from a 200 Km ride and so that I didn't get obssesive about riding every day
January actually seemed cooler than December here so the heat hasn't been a real issue. Riding in the early morning is always better because of the easterly or sea breeze coming up during the day. The days are getting shorter already so it will start requiring dark mornings to keep the k's up.
My Feb distance will be much shorter as I expect to start work soon - but it is a nice commute distance away.
I had the month off, looking for work after being made redundant in December.
So it was wasn't a normal commute month. But I did manage to lay down 1734 km (1083 mi). There were 27 ride days - the 4 days off were to recover/prepare from a 200 Km ride and so that I didn't get obssesive about riding every day

January actually seemed cooler than December here so the heat hasn't been a real issue. Riding in the early morning is always better because of the easterly or sea breeze coming up during the day. The days are getting shorter already so it will start requiring dark mornings to keep the k's up.
My Feb distance will be much shorter as I expect to start work soon - but it is a nice commute distance away.






