I think I'm done for the season.
#26
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#28
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Psst go with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I use 700 x 28's and in a little over two and a half years (12,000 miles) on the same tires, I've had no flats in Seattle commuting rain or sun.
#29
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Me, too.
I was about to start a thread by the very same name.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
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Slow down there. You do have to be more determined than that to ride a bike, but there's no reason to discourage him to the point of driving a car. Rather, we should encourage him to be a bit tougher, get some rain gear, accept the weather for what it is, and keep pedaling.
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I was about to start a thread by the very same name.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
As for the `lost time` because of challenging conditions, I`ve never seen it that way, because I rarely don`t have fun riding (or anything physical, outdoors FTM).
Ehhh... I like to sweat. And I like to sit back after I`ve done it, and bask in the glow.
#32
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I was about to start a thread by the very same name.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
Last year I did 5,000 miles including commuting the entire year round. I just don't know if I can do it again.
I have all the gear (magicshine, showerspass, lobster mitts, balaclava, studded tires) and four different bikes to choose from (including a belt drive IGH w/drum brakes); that's not the problem. And i don't feel particularly unsafe, even at night when it's raining.
It just takes too long.
what is normally a 45-50 minute commute in is at least an hour and can take 1:15 by the time the snow has piled up and blocks me from filing past traffic at an intersection. The ride home, normally 1:10 can take an hour and a half for the same reasons PLUS it's dark on the way home.
Worse, whereas in summertime I just grab a helmet and go, winter riding requires more time to suit up with all the layers. Given the huge temperature swings in Boston, I often take extra jackets or two types of gloves just in case.
And yes, the OP is right that changing a flat in subfreezing temperatures completely sucks.
I'm thinking it's just not worth it this winter.
#34
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For me bike commuting has to be fun, and so far, riding in rain, wind and cold weather has been fun, but I also don't think trudging through deep snow and riding on ice will be fun. So when that comes (hopefully not too soon), I'm stowing my bikes til Spring and taking the 4WD.
#36
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I swept 2 miles of my MUP Sunday. Parks and Rec are not going to do it obviously and I'm the only one who uses it. Oh well, it was a great day to maintain my MUP. LOL
#37
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I use a mapping GPS on my handlebars and waypoint glass going in and coming home a couple days a week once week ever 6 weeks or so. Then on a weekend I mount my GPS in the car and track back via waypoints and clean up the glass with broom and leaf blower. We don't have goatheads around here.
#38
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#39
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#40
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#41
----
I had a flat after the dishwasher sprung a leak and I found out the new better(?) computer purchased to replace my old computer when the power supply died wont run a program I need for work. I'm also looking to find a new bank for my condo owners association funds, and wasn't planning on riding after it got below freezing anyway.
Methinks it's not just the tire that's gone flat.
The bike rides are the thing that keep my mojo working when everything else is heading south for the winter. But if that ain't workin' for ya' best to give it a rest. Enjoy the time off the bike but I suggest you stay physically active in other ways or it will be a long, cold winter and harder to get motivated come spring.
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This isn't the 41 forum; lighten up! Sometimes you need a break. Some days, you just meet the straw that breaks the camel's back. Drive for a week until you are feeling the itch to ride again. Of course I'm battling winter weather: sub 40ºF. Anyone who commutes in sub freezing weather with wind and snow has already HTFU in my book.
#44
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If you buy some better tyres you can reduce the occurance of flats to almost zero. I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I have had 2 punctures in 4000 km, one was a pinch flat when I hit a sunken manhole lid which I didnt see due to some traffic. The other was a small piece of what I think was the steel from a steel belted radial tyre.
z
z
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Nearly hung the bike up for the year when I discovered a front flat late Monday night...Turned out to be very slow leaking tube that had gone flat since I hadn't ridden since last Thursday. Replaced the tube and continued my quest Today...should turn 5000 miles for 2010 on the way in tomorrow. Not sure if I will continue after that....I guess if the snow holds off there is no reason not to continue biking. My 17 mile road commute still seems too far & risky for riding along side cars contending with the snow...But...on the other hand...I do enjoy riding my bike to work.
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I had a flat after the dishwasher sprung a leak and I found out the new better(?) computer purchased to replace my old computer when the power supply died wont run a program I need for work. I'm also looking to find a new bank for my condo owners association funds, and wasn't planning on riding after it got below freezing anyway.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
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If it isn`t fun, then maybe you shouldn`t do it in the winter.
As for the `lost time` because of challenging conditions, I`ve never seen it that way, because I rarely don`t have fun riding (or anything physical, outdoors FTM).
Ehhh... I like to sweat. And I like to sit back after I`ve done it, and bask in the glow.
As for the `lost time` because of challenging conditions, I`ve never seen it that way, because I rarely don`t have fun riding (or anything physical, outdoors FTM).
Ehhh... I like to sweat. And I like to sit back after I`ve done it, and bask in the glow.
I've used 4 different bikes in the last 8 years. Even on years when I don't have a different bike I've typically made some significant changes.
#48
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I enjoy the challenges and solitude of winter bike commuting. And car traffic never lets up around here except around the holidays, but I'll be somewhere warm then.
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I wholeheartedly stand behind your indoor riding efforts for the winter.
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