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Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Year Round Riders: UNITE

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Old 09-02-09, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by grolby


Some people just don't get it. "We actually have winter in Florida." Yeah, okay buddy, you just keep telling yourself that. I've been living through Massachusetts winters for my entire life, and I certainly wouldn't want to experience a Kansan winter. BRRR!
Florida? Heck, when I moved to Kansas from the UP of Michigan, I figured I'd be a little tougher than everyone else. Then I discovered the true meaning of "Wind Chill."
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Old 09-02-09, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by JonRidesBikes
So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.

This is the first time I'll be riding to school/work, 13 miles round trip. I live in North Florida so I know there will be at least a few weeks where it will stay in the 30s-40s.
Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...
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Old 09-02-09, 10:51 AM
  #28  
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DING DING DING DING !!
Toronto logs in. Tell her what the prize is behind curtain number 2 Jim.
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Old 09-02-09, 10:56 AM
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I ride year round but our winters are pretty mild: 30s and 40s, rain and fog, no snow. This year I'm going to ask Santa for a long sleeve merino jersey.
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Old 09-02-09, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by crazybikerchick
Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...
Yeah, the saying is in northern Michigan, we don't have summer, we have 3 weeks of bad skiing.

30-40 degrees, I guess, would be a few weeks of "too cold to swim" except I've seen people breaking ice out of the lake to take a dip.
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Old 09-02-09, 11:09 AM
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Here's a couple different takes on clothing that should work, at least for riders south of the Mason Dixon Line: Click here. Recommended clothing and maybe a little more.
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Old 09-02-09, 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by MNBikeguy
DING DING DING DING !!
Toronto logs in. Tell her what the prize is behind curtain number 2 Jim.
A NEW Bike! But, not just any new bike, it's a Blue new bike, but not just any blue new bike.....
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Old 09-02-09, 11:26 AM
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you guys enjoy the winter...

where I live...average highs July and August...91....average lows Dec and January 38.

I think I still have some leg and arm warmers somewhere....
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Old 09-02-09, 11:41 AM
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My condolences. I love having full fledged seasons. Just don't ask me if I still enjoy it in Feb.
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Old 09-02-09, 12:01 PM
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Winters are pretty mild on the South Coast of MA. I ride on cold days but bad road conditions like snow or ice, keep me off the bike.
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Old 09-02-09, 12:24 PM
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I ride year round. It never gets too hot nor too cold here (Geneva, Switzerland). Hottest this summer was 38C (about 100F). Coldest last winter was -10C (about 15F) with most mornings around -5C (22F). Winter riding at that temp is pleasant with good clothing and good lights.
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Old 09-02-09, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
The One True Glove for me is any glove that fits the hams I call hands.
I have the same problem, only somewhat in reverse: my hands are really small. I can wear some women's sizes and also youth sizes, but you know what -- in general, those gloves are just not as well made or as well insulated as men's gloves. Argh.
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Old 09-02-09, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by lil brown bat
I haven't found the One True Glove for this, but I'm looking.
Here it is!
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Old 09-02-09, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by dauphin
you guys enjoy the winter...

where I live...average highs July and August...91....average lows Dec and January 38.

I think I still have some leg and arm warmers somewhere....
I'm pretty much right there with you:

https://www.weather.com/outlook/drivi...tomnav_driving
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Old 09-02-09, 04:08 PM
  #40  
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Last winter was my first winter on the bike, I was really surprised at how enjoyable it was. There was only about 14 days that I didn't ride.
Like some one posted, core temp isn't an issue. Keeping the hands,feet and head warm is the trick.
I use waterproof/windproof mittens, wool socks and waterproof shoes.
I taped the vents on my helmet, I wear 180's earmuffs and a chill choker (neck gaitor)
Worked for me down to 0 F.
I also used studded tires on the bike, we get snow and ice up here.
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Old 09-02-09, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
Winter forum.

Anyhow, I wear more clothes. There are virtually limitless clothing combinations to achieve this.
Heavy tights. Light tights. Poly thermal underwear. Warmers. Various weights of gloves. Wool. Skull caps.

/ thread this is the way I do it as well
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Old 09-02-09, 04:26 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by JonRidesBikes
So fall and winter are right around the corner and I'm interested to know how everyone prepares for their colder rides/commutes.
I live in N'Awlins. South Louisiana. I wear cotton cargo shorts all winter. All I change is my headlight setup for my dark exodus from work. Low temps in the winter probably average mid 50s. Ice or snow about once a decade lasting a few hours. No problema.
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Old 09-02-09, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCowGod15
I'm pretty much right there with you:

https://www.weather.com/outlook/drivi...tomnav_driving

Well, if we're going to flaunt California weather, how about ours?
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Old 09-02-09, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Hocam
Cue coldest temp. ride pissing contest in 5... 4... 3..

Mostly I just want one of these to ride when the roads are snowed and iced over around here:

Fail! Wide tires is less traction on ice. Ice and snow tires on most vehicles skinny with lots of ribs and texture to maximize contact pressure and cut down to the hard base. Wide tires are best for floating on sand.
Pug would be fun at the beach though.
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Old 09-02-09, 08:36 PM
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See where it says "3-season commuter"? That's excluding Winter. Rather ride to work at 90 degrees than 10 degrees.
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Old 09-02-09, 09:02 PM
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Windchill got down to -40/-45C or so last winter.
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Old 09-03-09, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Grim
Fail! Wide tires is less traction on ice.
Not arguing with your experience, but can you explain how a larger contact patch = less traction? Simple physics (friction) would seem to suggest the opposite.
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Old 09-03-09, 07:38 AM
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I have an extra pair of ski goggles, some nice, merino under-layers, and my Hestra full cuff gloves. Yep, ready to ride through the winter here in Cincinnati.

I've done this the past 2 years, save for 12-15 days of ice, sleet and snow. Thinking about buying some Nokian A10's for my IGH rig so I can have fun on those days too.
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Old 09-03-09, 07:47 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by crazybikerchick
Above freezing temperatures is not winter!! Easy peasy riding...
'Zactly.

Me, I stop riding when temperatures get below freezing. OK, I admit it, I'm a wimp, but it's too much hassle to bundle up all that way for a 3-mile ride. I don't even have time to warm up properly and I'm in the office.
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Old 09-03-09, 09:49 AM
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Well I'm shooting for year round! I biked to school all last winter but during the spring I drove, I don't know why, and then I began riding for the remainder of the spring. I rode all this summer, so by next summer I'll have a year of bike commuting! Unfortunately my mother thinks I'm being ridiculous.
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