toddvc

It has been in the mid-20s here in Lexington, Ky., the past couple of days, with a sorry excuse for an "ice storm" yesterday that would up closing school for two days -- even though the roads could barely be called slick. (It is official: We are now shutting down the city every time a weatherman breaks wind.)

The assistant at my dentist's office could not believe I biked to my appointment yesterday. I found it amusing, bless her.

There are dangerous days, but these ain't them (at least here in Lexington). What's the funniest/most unbelievable thing someone has said to you about your biking IN THIS WEATHER!?

cdalefan

I was leaving the office to go home last night; it was about 30deg, warm if you ask me. He says, "you know I can throw that in the back of my truck if you want." Why would I want to do that? was my only (less than witty) reply.

Then I thought, but didn't say, it'l scratch my bike. I had my road bike out for a nice-winter-day romp.

Some people will never get it-

TheKingFiphtin

I had a guy talking to me from the sidewalk last night when I was at a stoplight, and he asked why I would be biking in this weather. It was clear, no wind, and at least 15 degrees. I was obviously wearing warm clothes, too. All I could say is "because it's fun." He shrugged his shoulders and walked off. I wish I were wittier, but I can never think of good things to say on the spot.

Flimflam

Twice this week I've had comments.. The first was a guy saying "How was the ride in this?" I just answered "Oh, lots of fun " as it was a light snow fall. The next was a childrens drop-in where a mother had asked me "You still biking even in this weather?" I just said "Yup" and she said "Good for you" so I felt like adding "It's not cold if you're dressed properly... people walk around in this stuff, that's crazy! "

maddyfish

I live next to a huge hill, and commute up it in the mornings. Last week in snow, while a woman was waiting next to her car which had slid of the road, I biked past, and she talk me it wasn't safe to bike in this weather. I replied that I wasn't the one who had crashed.

harleyfrog

DOH!

crazybikerchick

Pretty typical comments:
"Oh you're brave!" - usually in the elevator to the parking garage where I store the bike
"It isn't too slippery?"
I feel I let my coworkers sense of wonderment down though when I decide to take transit (typically only a blizzard)
"What weather stops you from biking?!?" Me - "Ummm.. this?" (they thought I had biked in that day) Them - "Oh but you biked in through that really bad windstorm last week" Me - "Yup!"

Sometimes I think they want to believe its dangerous.
Isn't it too icy?
I can see the ice I don't ride over it
But if you did you would go flying wouldn't you?

My comments to the "too cold" stuff- Warmer than waiting for the transit! Warmer than waiting for the car to warm up!

dobovedo

Most of my coworkers have long since given up on offering me rides home or saying I'm nuts.

But when I do get questions or comments, I ask people, "Would you say the same thing to somebody who said they went skiing?"

Nobody questions the concept of: driving up to the base (or top) of a mountain; putting on a bunch of goofy looking clothing, putting on big huge uncomfortable boots; attaching some plastic sticks to them; trudging awkwardly through the snow; to stand in line at a little hut; then sitting on a little tiny metal chairs; dangling 20-30 feet in the freezing cold air for 5-10 minutes at a resting heart rate (all the while getting frozen water pellets blown on you half the time); and then plunging down a hill at breakneck speeds with 100mph wind chills...

and then doing it again.

That makes perfect sense to people, even if they don't do it themselves.

But if we ride bikes in the cold we're nuts.

Jerseysbest

Actually, most of the "I can't believe you biked in this" comments are immediately followed by (its snowed a few inches today) "with all those people who don't know how to drive."

Pretty much spot on...

Mild Al

I also get those comments ("You're crazy to ride in this weather!," etc.) but I get them in the summer. I don't really feel warm unless it's over 70, and 95 is just a pleasant summer day to me.

ajmstilt

co-worker: Isn't it too cold?

me: no not too bad, i just dress warm.

co-worker: what do you do if it gets too cold for what you're wearing?

me: Pedal faster.

timmhaan

according to most people i talk to the only "not crazy" times to ride a bike are when it's between 70-80 degrees on a summer afternoon. i guess people have completely lost touch with the elements.

toddvc

This IS a pretty good point -- just about the only one that would make me think twice about riding.

harleyfrog

When I used to ride my motorcycle to work, my co-workers would ask, "What do you do when it rains?" I answer, "Get wet." Of course, raindrops hurt more speeding along at 55 MPH.

AEO

something along the lines of...

stranger: "isn't it dangerous to ride a bike in this weather?"
me: "no, not really, I've got snow/ice tires, they're a lot safer than walking around in the snow.
stranger: "yeah, but the cars..."
me: "the main roads are plowed better than the sidewalks and the chances of getting hit are low because everyone is going slower"

newbojeff

It really is. We're in the midst of getting 3+ inches of snow right now. I took the T (transit) in today. I tell you though, if you could guarantee me that there were no cars on the road, I would ride.

At some point, the combination of poor visibility and poor traction (even with studded tires) for me and the cars adds up to taking the T. For me that is loads of ice or a very active snow storm. Cold weather? I don't flinch until it is below zero F.

scoatw

The young woman at the gas station where I stop every morning to get a paper was asking about riding in the snow. I told her how I have tires with snow studs in them. She asks "How do you get the studs in them?" I replied very slowly so her brain could absorb what I was going to tell her. "They....do....it.....at.....the.......factory." Some people are so cute when their stupid.

vaticdart

I ski and cycle, and honestly it's difficult to compare the two in that way. For one thing skis have edges! If my bicycle had a device that offered ice and snow traction comparable to what edges give you on skis I wouldn't wimp out when Seattle gets its dustings of snow that generally turn into ice quickly.

Yeah yeah, I know, get some Nokians.

Where skiing and cycling compare is in that they bother offer the sensation of flying, and they can both be wonderful or horrid depending on conditions and weather. I'll ride in just about anything other than snow and ice even if I don't enjoy it, it's still the best way to get to work!

Wheels4

first time i rode to work at my current job... co-worker asked..'did you ride your bicycle in to work?' i said yes. she asked how far and i replied '6 miles'... she looked at me like i was crazy and said 'YOU rode 6 MILES to WORK???' i just laughed... i was coming from a 12 mile one way commute... so, to me, the 6miles was easy.

ralph12

I have gotten re-e-e-ally tired of people asking me if I'm cold when it's 55 degrees and clear outside (it's irritating when it's 15 or 20, but not quite as much). I barely even notice the cold when I'm on my bike as long as I have a watch cap or a balaclava and a windbreaker on. I also ride a motorcycle, and people ask me the same thing, even when I'm plainly wearing 3432343 layers under my jacket (usually more like three or four).

I find that keeping this expression on my face whenever I'm around my bike tends to help keep people from asking me if I'm cold:

tsl

My co-workers have long since gotten used to me cycling in all weather. Then my boss retired.

I was riding by on one of my days off, and decided to stop in to introduce myself to the interim--completely forgetting I was in full winter roadie regalia. He never batted an eye over the tights. And considering he was sitting and I was standing, well... Anyway, after a question or two after the next snowstorm, I guess it seems as normal to him as it does to everyone else.

My bank, on the other hand, I can understand the rules about obscuring hats (like balaclavas) and sunglasses (or worse, goggles), but let me at least get out of the cold before I take them off! (Especially considering they won't let me use the drive-thru.) On the other hand, it took only one call to the manager back in December to get them to shovel out the bike rack instead of piling the snow in front of it.

dave.lloyd

I got a double lecture from our CFO yesterday (and another one today!) about biking in this wintry crap we've had here in STL. I would have biked in this morning, but it was such slow going yesterday, I would have gotten to work too late. Besides, my wife was looking to get the kids out of the house anyway, so I just took advantage of the situation. If we had a shower at the office where I could clean up from all the slushy crap, I might have just come in late on the bike, but no such luck.

We got several inches of a sleet like substance on top of ice, and some more ice, then more sleet on top of that. Biking home yesterday was like riding through a sno-cone, or icy sand crossed with zillions of microscopic ball bearings. Even with deflated Marathon Winters I'd slip around if I hit the edge of a tire rut or ended up in some of the deeper stuff to the side of the road. This was much worse than the snow we got a while back.

This past summer nearly broke the record for number of 100+ degree days in a month. This winter has had the worst winter weather I can remember. Funny how it works out that way. I still think it's a push as to which one is worse. With the 100+ degree days (with 40-60% humidity) it's miserable and you just cook at stop lights. With the nasty cold weather, it takes you another 15+ minutes to get dressed or undressed, your face gets frozen and frozen stuff falling from the sky hurts. I can certainly see the appeal of NorCal or San Diego right about now.

dobovedo

I wasn't necessarily comparing them. The point was that people do all kinds of things outdoors in winter and nobody questions it. Why including bike riding on that list doesn't register with some people makes no sense to me.

LCI_Brian

The same people that think I'm nuts for riding to work when it's in the 50s and sprinkling are the same ones that think nothing of driving up a dark twisty foggy icy mountain road to go skiing/snowboarding!

maddyfish

I guess you don't have your own stud gun?

I have mine left over from my offroading times.