Doohickie

I searched and didn't see anything like this on the forum. Should we start one? If so, what should the criteria be?

I know for those north of the Mason-Dixon Line, just about anyone who's still riding probably qualifies. Should we maybe have a northern chapter and a southern chapter where the southern chapter is a little easier to qualify (if only because we don't get that nasty cold weather you get up north)?

It was in the 20s the last two mornings and I was thinking about declaring myself a member, but frankly riding in the high 20s isn't *that* bad.

Thoughts?

Hobartlemagne 

Actually, I considered riding this morning right up until I saw the temperature.

truman

Doohickie, your route doesn't happen to take you between Granbury Rd. and South Dr. at about 7 am, does it?

I_bRAD

Where I come from, "polar bear club" means you break a hole in the ice and go for a swim.

Riding a bike... well that's just how you get around!

DallasSoxFan

I guess people up in Plano are soft!

Down here in Dallas, I just put on 5 layers up top, 2 on the bottom, gloves and a neck gaiter and headed on in!

jdmitch

Yeah... when I first saw this thread I thought... "Why are someone talking about jumping in ice water with their bike?"

PaulH

Winter triathalons might be interesting.

Paul

hubcap

Do a search for the extreme commute club. Feel free to revive it.

mcfc57

It was pretty cold for me here in KC this morning. Didn't help that I forgot two important things. Checking the weather before leaving and my jacket! Don't ask how I forgot the second thing. Got to work and realized i rode in 15 degrees with a base layer and long-sleeve shirt. A bit chilly for me.

Hobartlemagne 

Its a 10 minute bike ride to the office. I often do that in good weather, but I hate putting all of the
extra clothes on for a 10 minute ride. Anyway- It was below freezing earlier and i didnt want to
ride over the Park Blvd bridge where it crosses 75.

NoRacer

It was 29F this morning in Towson, MD--not bad at all. It's only gotten down to 25F so far. I'm waiting for it to hit nose-hair-freezing-temps.

ItsJustMe

I don't think you'll get much concensus about qualifications. Personally I don't start to feel like I'm being hardcore until the temp goes below 0*F. High twenties is a heat wave; I'm normally only wearing running pants over bike shorts, a long sleeve shirt with a T shirt over it and a vented windbreaker with the pits zipped open at those temps.

Down below zero where I switch to platform pedals and full-height insulated hunting boots with two layers of socks, three bottom layers and some insulated top layers, full balaclava, two glove layers and goggles, then we can start talking.

BroadSTPhilly

It was a bit cold this morning. Nothing to complain about though. Except me being slow.

hubcap

It was 9F when I headed out this morning. Dressed properly though, so no worries.

GV27

6F according to the news this morning. My new boss' first comment this morning - "You're f'n insane". LOL

My morning commute is almost all down hill so it's tough to work up meaningful heat without going 25-30mph and that's somewhat self-defeating. Base layer and a long sleeve just doesn't cut it.

pinkrobe

-16C/3F + some windchill yesterday.

truman

I need a better cold-jacket. PI Vagabond II shell over a merino cardigan and wicking tee just didn't make it. Some of that Ibex stuff looks nice...

uke

6F, -1 with wind chill this morning. Clothing was all right, but my face was miserable. I'm not riding below 20F again unless I buy a face mask.

cdalefan

It was 30F plus a 12 mph wind this morning.

A long sleeve base layer, long sleeve Jersey and a wind vest kept me warm enough.

andrelam

I kind of agree with your temp limit except that 0F might be too hard to achieve. The coldest it got in Buffalo NY last year as 2F. We get plenty of Snow, Wind, and Cold during the winter, but somehow lake Erie and Ontario "heat" us up just enough to prevent getting 0F more than a few times in a decade.

Cycling in 20F is a breeze, I do that pretty much the entire Winter. Tights, T-shirt, wind blocking soft shell fleece coat, hat and old ski gloves are all I need. It has been around 20F here already on a regular basis for the morning commute. Once you get below 10F things definitely get a LOT colder. My coldest day last year as stated above was 2F with a wind-chill of -26F. That did not include the additional wind-chill I was experiencing from riding into the wind at about 14 MPH. It was definitely "crispy" cold outside. That is when everything just make a different sound. For temps close to 0F I had to add a facemask (PSolar is nice as it pre-heats the air... makes for much happier lungs), and ski goggles to prevent my contacts from drying out too much.

Happy "cold" riding,
André

bckpck2rev

Last night for me (it's really 3 am EST) left work and it was around 20 F with wind chill pushing it down to around 10 F. No worries, when I am dressed properly (learned the hard way of trial and error last winter) I can do anything. I had to lace up the boats this time, and I think they'll stay on for awhile.

AdamD

So I suppose my commute this morning that was so numbingly-cold (low 50's) that I had to wear shorts and a jersey wouldn't count for my inclusion into this club? Dang!

Doohickie

I crossed Granbury at Gorman, the second light south of I20, shortly after 7 this morning. I followed Gorman out to South Drive and crossed I-20 there. Why do you ask?

Have we crossed paths?

Meh. It was colder on the west side of the Metroplex and I did it with jeans, long undies, t-shirt, turtleneck and a hoodie. 5 layers???

FredOak

But I don't think we can forget the wind chill factor, we had a couple days last year where with the wind chill it was -30.

I'm riding in the same conditions as andrelam, Two layers on top with a windbreaker and two on the bottom and so far that's been pretty good.

I'd agree with that 0 degree setting for adding the additional layer.

San Rensho 

It was freezing here in Miami, Fl this morning, about 60 deg. Skipped the dawn patrol ride.

All right, I know I'm just rubbing it in, but I did live in Wisconsin for 25 years and had more than my share of -20 on the thermometer and with the wind chill, -50 deg days where I rode my bike. But I don't miss them.

I do get a kick out riders down here, as soon as it gets below 68 deg its full tights, arm warmers with jackets over them, booties and full finger gloves.