Headwind! Only about 10-20mph, though--less than I expected. Temp 24F/-4C. All was well save that my fingers, as usual, tendered their resignations a couple of miles into the ride...

If I ever find a pair of gloves, or combination of them, that work for me, I'll need to have a going-out-of-business sale to get rid of the growing pile that DON'T work. Sheesh.

Easy ride today
 

It was an easy ride, 17 F, -8 C, and a slight wind, but not enough to chill me. The traffic was typical, and not anything unusual happened. It is supposed to be 30 or so when leaving, so that is good. The heat wave is not supposed to last though.

Have you tried the lobster claw gloves? I have the pearl izumi brand, and they have kept me warm down to about 0 F. Below that I don't know, if they will work.

Nice ride to work this morning, clear and calm with temps about 30 F. It's still a little too dark on my morning commute for nice sunrises, but we had an absolutely incredible sunset yesterday on my way home, making up for having to leave work late. The next few days are supposed are supposed to be extremely cold -- for NC that is -- with lows near 10 F. However, I have to go out of town on work so won't be riding in it. I kind of regret it, just to see what it's like.

I have a pair. I also have a pair from MEC which I think are a bit better (should've worn them this morning, in fact). I am one of those whose fingers are more sensitive to the cold than a lot of folks--I think it stems from a near-frostbite incident (self-inflicted) in my youth. The search continues...

Commuting post-script: Coming through the lobby just now, a guy asked me, "You don't ride on mornings like this do you?"

Mistaking his question for a marriage proposal, I answered, "I do." :D

I am the only person in this whole damned building who rides year 'round, but maybe I'm not quite sure just how many people are aware of it.

It was nice and cold this morning. I rode a little slower than yesterday because I was a little sore from yesterday's commute. It was low 30's and quite pleasant. I think I might take it slower more often.

18F and couldn't find my balaclava (didn't need it) or spare pairs of wool socks (woulda been nice to have). Supposed to be colder tomorrow w/ 1" - 3" of snow. I can deal w/ the cold, but 3" of snow w/o snow tires? Hmmm...

The heat wave continues in Sac. Only 32F coming in this morning, but it will be mid 60s going home. Unfortunately, the drought also continues. Skiing may suck this year.

SLOW SLOW SLOW! 10.1 mph average.

A little breezy and very cold, for us. Below 30 F. Even the woolen socks didn't keep my toes especially warm. But I'm sure they're better than they would have been!

Great day in Denver, ride home should be even better

Cold with a small headwind, but I left off one layer-saving that one for tomorrow and Friday when it's supposed to be in the single digits. Other than that, really slow-my new tires are killing me, can't keep it above 16 mph. Every day I'm noticing additional barriers, fences, etc for the upcoming innauguration, if Friday weren't supposed to be rediculously cold, I'd really be looking forward to it. Some of my co-workers will be amazed if I ride the next two days. I'm planning on it.

Great ride even with 15 mph head winds. But they will push me home. 49 when I left home.

Glorious ride this morning, and a breakthrough of sorts.

Wednesdays I usually use the excuse of having an off-site meeting to keep me from riding. This morning, I rode it. My usual commute is a little over 7 miles; the ride to the meeting site is 11. I rode over there, locked up my bike, took my pannier and change of clothes into the Mens room and got changed, then went up to my meeting. Afterward it was a short 4 mile jaunt back to my normal office.

The temps this morning were just above freezing but I was ready for it, maybe even a little overdressed. After my meeting I underdressed a bit for the ride back to my office- a little chilly since I was riding into the wind.

I've had a lot of off-site stuff going on since the holidays and I've let it keep me off the bike. I gotta start riding more, even if I have off-site meetings.

:( Day 2 of no commuting. Much needed headlight is back at manufacturer for repair (won't get that back till next week), side streets are horrible - full of ice bumps with more snow added daily - I end up one foot clipped in and the other foot scooting me along thru the deep stuff like a skateboard ---- so I've been using the Main Street (live and work downtown) and having 3 lanes of heavy rush hour traffic pace you with the ice and snow just sucks. It's 4F, -5 with wind chill and we're supposed to go real low Friday when some heavier winds kick in. :(

Well we finally got hit with some major snow. After watching everyone else get it the past few weeks. I feel for you folks up North and in Washington. 3-5". 17f. The Arctic blast will be here tom'rw.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/...bc08bc4b_b.jpg

Looks like fun!*

*fun, as in watching other people do it!

Doohickie:

Congrats. That really is an accomplishment; being able to make off-site visits like this can make a big difference in your willingness to keep at it.

Someone in another city that works for my company has started a Bike for a Month internal blog. I'm kind of taking that as a personal challenge to see if maybe I can do that. If I do it starting today, the one month date will line up (within a day or two) with the anniversary of my first bicycle commute at my current job.

I rode to work for the first time this week. Stiff headwind and 17F. I was slow as molasses.

I stayed mostly warm, and the roads are clear. Tonight looks to be a bit warmer. I do get the "you must be crazy" thing from people at work, and I consider that a benefit. :)

I'm not sure about tomorrow... it's going to be even colder.

Today was my first ride this winter. I only rode here and there during the fall due to my schedule being whacked.

It was -7F when I left this morning. Was toasty warm everywhere. Was also slower than molasses due to holiday weight gain, and not having ridden for awhile. 10 miles took me 1 hr and 10 min.

BTW... If you need to go colder in lobster claws, add a thin pair of sports gloves meant for going under gloves. I don't want to call them wicking gloves- I originally bought them(a long time ago) for when I CC ski . Otherwise add a chemical hand warmer on the top of your hand- That helps too.

Not sure about tomorrow morning, as they are forecasting -20F here with -40 windchills, and I am out of chemical warmers. Might do it anyway, just to "better" (now there's an oxymoron for you) my coldest ride from -15F to a little lower.

Got the "you are crazy looks from people on the streets today. One old guy even shook his head and said "you must be cold riding bike". I told him- in a very muffled response- "I'm warm!"

One of my newer students even offered to give me rides if I needed them. :D

^^

And you picked a hellofa first winter ride day!!

Went over the bars courtesy of a driver turning left through stopped traffic and across the bike lane this morning. Not even the courtesy of an apology, but I guess he was in a rush to get to his parking spot. Knee is hella banged up but I can walk/limp on it so all in all I got away from that crash ok.

Man, I take my hat off to all you guys riding in the snow. I've never ridden in the snow.

Partly because it's hitting 33C (91F) here...

Makes for a warm commute!!!

So I have been commuting by bike in the winter for the last 2 and a half winters and it's been ok. No accidents to report until today. Bridge may be icy (it sure was) and I went down. All I wanted to do was cross the street so I started to lean to my left and WHAM! right in the middle of the lane. My bike slid out from under me and went to my right. I tried to get my feet down but they also slid out from under me causing me to become tangled with my bike. My only really thought which my brain was screaming was 'GET OUT OF THE @#*%! LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!' Luckily my husband was with me (I was off to class, and he to work) so he made the major roadside repairs that he could for me (lucky for me he's a mechanic at the LBS) and we were off after a few mins. of me hobbling back and forth on the curb to work out some of the pain in my ankle. I even made it to class on time, which undoubtedly made my professor happy since she hates being interrupted for simple tardiness. So needless to say I have one hell of a lump on my shin and one just above my ankle but other than that no major damage. I'm really just glad there wasn't a car right behind me that didn't have time to stop and run me over.

Dread, after the first time I bailed on ice I picked up some studded tires. Even a cheap set of Innovas will be worth their weight in gold. They're incredibly stable over ice and probably the single most important piece of equipment on my winter bike.