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Winter commuters

Old 04-26-09 | 06:23 PM
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Winter commuters

I started commuting last summer. I have learned a lot and had a lot of fun. But as it becomes spring I feel I like winter commuting more then summer commuting. Does anyone else feel like this?
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Old 04-26-09 | 06:27 PM
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Spring and Fall are my favorites. I don't like riding when it's above 70 or below 50, though my limits are closer to 80 and 20, respectively.
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Old 04-26-09 | 06:53 PM
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The pleasure of commuting in natural light is worth any penalty higher temps inflict! Cold and dark, bleah. In the heat of summer, I can commute home in the same garb I went into work with, and that garb is appropriate. That is a darn nice thing. But the spring and fall produce the nicest days, you just have to be able to add and shed clothing for the temp swings. I might imagine that someone lattitudinaly deficient might feel different.
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Old 04-26-09 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRealNicola
I started commuting last summer. I have learned a lot and had a lot of fun. But as it becomes spring I feel I like winter commuting more then summer commuting. Does anyone else feel like this?
I think this happens every year, but not just for commuting. Every fall I feel like the summer was really long as winter will be short. Every spring I feel like winter went on foreeeeeeeeeeeever and summer will be over in no time...
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Old 04-26-09 | 07:06 PM
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I guess a preference for winter over summer riding depends on your location and the scenery. I like summer commuting over winter any day. However, if I was able to enjoy what Colorado has to offer, maybe I'd think differently.
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Old 04-26-09 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
I think this happens every year, but not just for commuting. Every fall I feel like the summer was really long as winter will be short. Every spring I feel like winter went on foreeeeeeeeeeeever and summer will be over in no time...
Good point. That is true
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Old 04-26-09 | 07:11 PM
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Heck no. Winter here lasts way too long and summer is short. Screw winter commuting. I would love to move somewhere without winter someday.
Yes I ride year round.
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Old 04-26-09 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
Heck no. Winter here lasts way too long and summer is short. Screw winter commuting. I would love to move somewhere without winter someday.
Yes I ride year round.


I stand corrected.
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Old 04-26-09 | 07:24 PM
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Winter has the joy of an empty bike trail. It's nice to have the whole road to yourself .

Summer wins though. You get up, shower, eat, throw on clothes and sandals and ride. In the winter I have to check the weather to figure out how many layers I have to put on.
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Old 04-26-09 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by urban_assault


I stand corrected.
The funny thing is that I completely missed your post. lol
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Old 04-26-09 | 08:35 PM
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I love colorado it does have some great scenery. Maybe i'm the only one who likes to ride in the winter haha. I've got to get all my money out of the stuff i bought for winter haha
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Old 04-26-09 | 09:14 PM
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Eh, I enjoy winter commuting enough, but it was a great relief when I got to pull off the studded snow tires and start wearing shorts + t-shirt. I look forward to next winter's commute, but old man winter can take his time getting here...
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Old 04-26-09 | 09:46 PM
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I've had some very pleasant rides in the Winter but I've also had some of my longest and most nerve racking commutes when the roads are bad.

The plus to both Summer and Winter is that I can wear the same clothes both into work and on the way home. In the Spring and the Fall it often warms up enough during the day that I end up hauling half my clothes home instead of wearing them.
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Old 04-27-09 | 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
Heck no. Winter here lasts way too long and summer is short. Screw winter commuting. I would love to move somewhere without winter someday.
Yes I ride year round.



We are moving into winter now and I've got no idea where the summer went. All my plans of getting out and about on my days off sort of vanished and I'm actully disapointed in myself.

For those of you enjoying spring right now STICK TO YOUR PLANS FOR ENJOYING THE SUMMER, IT MIGHT BE BLOODY SHORT!
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Old 04-27-09 | 01:18 AM
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I ride year round... in Canada.

It is hard to miss winter when it never seems to go away.

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Old 04-27-09 | 05:51 AM
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I enjoy riding in all of the seasons. They all have the pluses and minuses. I like riding in the cooler temperatures of winter, not getting all sweaty, and drinks staying cold. Riding in the dark can be a bit boring, but you get used to it over time. Spring is ideal when the weather is nice, but you also get wild swings in temperatures, some very windy days and more surprise rain showers. Summer is best for morning rides, but afternoons can be miserable when it's really hot and humid or thunderstorms pop up. Fall is probably the best season for riding in NC, except for the rapidly shortening days and loss of light in the mornings. Also, it takes a while to acclimate to the temperatures when it starts cooling off in fall.
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Old 04-27-09 | 06:11 AM
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Nope.
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Old 04-27-09 | 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by crhilton
Winter has the joy of an empty bike trail. It's nice to have the whole road to yourself .
Amen. Too many casual riders with no courtesy whatsoever.
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Old 04-27-09 | 12:44 PM
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After a long cold winter, I love the spring. But then the bugs and the goslings and the fishermen come out, and I'm so relieved when summer comes. But the heat gets tiresome, so I'm always happy when it turns to fall. And then, winter, what fun! Riding in complete darkness is a blast, and I don't get all sweaty.

Pick one? Nope, not me. I like the changing seasons.
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Old 04-27-09 | 01:52 PM
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I hate the winds in spring and autumn, don't really like the cold of the winter. But I love commuting with the sun on my back either way I still commute all year round though - no amount of cold or wind would make me prefer public transport!
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Old 04-27-09 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mesasone
Eh, I enjoy winter commuting enough, but it was a great relief when I got to pull off the studded snow tires and start wearing shorts + t-shirt. I look forward to next winter's commute, but old man winter can take his time getting here...
This is about how I feel. It's good fun showing up to the office and having coworkers exclaim "You rode your bike in this!?", but I greatly enjoy cornering hard without having to worry about black ice under a light cover of snow or anything like that. Being able to ride with minimal gear is nice, too.
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Old 04-27-09 | 02:18 PM
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At first I thought the OP was nuts, but I'm reconsidering as my allergies are going off and it's 87 degrees as I prepare to bike home...
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Old 04-27-09 | 07:12 PM
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Things I don't like about winter commuting:
1. Frozen hands
2. Rutted ice in the morning darkness
Things I like about winter commuting:
1. Solitude
2. Buzzing studs
3. Making the first track through the snow covered trail

It appears I have more likes than dislikes but generally I prefer warmth.
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Old 04-27-09 | 07:41 PM
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I prefer the spring and fall. But between summer and winter, I will take summer any day of the week.

though my limits are closer to 80 and 20
There we're several days this last summer where it was 105 degrees (41 Cel), without heat index or humidity, upon leaving work. Just jam a half gallon of water into your stomach and then start peddling.

Then again the 20 degrees would kill me..
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Old 04-27-09 | 07:44 PM
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From: indoors and out.
^ I don't ride in weather I'd break a sweat in while walking; I'd rather stay indoors. :O)
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