How was the commute today?
#7076
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: A light one, a heavy one, a yellow one and a rusty one.
Wow. I feel like I have it rough when it is -1c here in portland. You guys are crazy! How long is your commute when it is -23c out?
nate
nate
Originally Posted by clevernamehere
Good ride this am -23c, roads are good, bike paths packed down enough to travel (very bumpy though).
Last commute with my 23yr-old, non-insulated hiking boots!
I'm picking up a new pair of Columbia winter boots after work! There's a great sale at one of the boot shops - I guess it's time to get rid of the winter stock (now that the forcast is for a blizzard followed by -35/-36c temps - go figure).
Trek home could be interesting with the forcasted blizzard bringing snow & 50 - 70km/h winds.
Last commute with my 23yr-old, non-insulated hiking boots!
I'm picking up a new pair of Columbia winter boots after work! There's a great sale at one of the boot shops - I guess it's time to get rid of the winter stock (now that the forcast is for a blizzard followed by -35/-36c temps - go figure).Trek home could be interesting with the forcasted blizzard bringing snow & 50 - 70km/h winds.
#7077
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by rainedon
Wow. I feel like I have it rough when it is -1c here in portland. You guys are crazy! How long is your commute when it is -23c out?
nate
nate
(sorry, couldn't resist)My commute is 11.4 to 12.5km (~7 - 8 miles) each way. I'm pathetically slow in these conditions - typically takes me about 45 minutes each way. The temp really isn't a problem - If anything I sometimes get a bit to warm (toes excepted, soon to be fixed)
#7078
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: A light one, a heavy one, a yellow one and a rusty one.
Originally Posted by clevernamehere
My commute is about the same distance at -23c as it is in warmer temps
(sorry, couldn't resist)
My commute is 11.4 to 12.5km (~7 - 8 miles) each way. I'm pathetically slow in these conditions - typically takes me about 45 minutes each way. The temp really isn't a problem - If anything I sometimes get a bit to warm (toes excepted, soon to be fixed)
(sorry, couldn't resist)My commute is 11.4 to 12.5km (~7 - 8 miles) each way. I'm pathetically slow in these conditions - typically takes me about 45 minutes each way. The temp really isn't a problem - If anything I sometimes get a bit to warm (toes excepted, soon to be fixed)
Very impressive.
#7079
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Bikes: IRO Model 19, Surly Crosscheck, 1989 Arnie Nashbar, Cannondale CAADX, Niner Air 9
Velo girl, probably Green Herons. Did you happen to see them near the Mirant power plant? I tend to see them there frequently. I think they're beautiful birds.
#7080
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Running late this foggy morning so I took the direct route in. Just last night I said to myself, "Self, I promise not to draft motor vehicles any more."
Well, that pledge lasted about 14 hours. On 21st Street through Midtown I found myself a meter off the bumper of an Excursion doing 29mph. Really, I swear, it was just a slip and I feel terrible about it.
On the other hand, I did make it to work on time.
Well, that pledge lasted about 14 hours. On 21st Street through Midtown I found myself a meter off the bumper of an Excursion doing 29mph. Really, I swear, it was just a slip and I feel terrible about it.
On the other hand, I did make it to work on time.
#7081
Incredibly, it is January in St Louis and I had to strip down to a cotton T-shirt this morning, high 50's. Felt great. Supposed to hit high 60's this afternoon! Then 20's again this weekend. Go figure.
#7082
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 0
From: Out there, on my bike
Originally Posted by mjw16
Velo girl, probably Green Herons. Did you happen to see them near the Mirant power plant? I tend to see them there frequently. I think they're beautiful birds.
#7083
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
My wife met me on the road near our house on my evening commute. It was raining, and right around 32 degrees.
She said, "Are you okay?"
I said, "Yeah. Why?"
She said, "The road is a sheet of ice."
So I put one boot down and sure enough it was glazed over. I said, "I love studded tires!"
She said, "Are you okay?"
I said, "Yeah. Why?"
She said, "The road is a sheet of ice."
So I put one boot down and sure enough it was glazed over. I said, "I love studded tires!"
#7084
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Vermont, USA
Originally Posted by vtjim
My wife met me on the road near our house on my evening commute. It was raining, and right around 32 degrees.
She said, "Are you okay?"
I said, "Yeah. Why?"
She said, "The road is a sheet of ice."
So I put one boot down and sure enough it was glazed over. I said, "I love studded tires!"
She said, "Are you okay?"
I said, "Yeah. Why?"
She said, "The road is a sheet of ice."
So I put one boot down and sure enough it was glazed over. I said, "I love studded tires!"

The freezing rain caught me on the way home. I have pretty beefy tires, but they're not studded.
I ended up falling on the ice at a low speed in a housing development as my bike slid out sideways from under me.
"Mom, Dad, could I borrow some money to buy studded bike tires? It's a safety issue!"
__________________
Do your part to keep BikeForums rolling.
Become a donating member today.
Learn more
Become a donating member today.
Learn more
#7085
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
39F with light rain at 6AM, by Noon it was clearing up and 41F. Had a nice ride in & didn't see any other bike commuters (unusual). When I was ready to leave for lunch, I discovered my front tire was flat, #1 of 2005. Think I'll keep track this year. Don
#7086
its getting downright cold!
its going to be a tough commute in tommorow!
https://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/fo...ity_e.html?YYC
its going to be a tough commute in tommorow!
https://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/fo...ity_e.html?YYC
#7087
Rain today ,High in the 60f . But the weatherman said 20f and snow for the weekend . But still a good commute today
. Have a good nite .
. Have a good nite .
#7088
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen/San Francisco
Bikes: Cyclocross, Road
4c and clear on my last day here in Copenhagen. i sent my bike back to SF already and dropped off the bike i rented in its place. it's going to be sad to leave. i'm going to miss my commute here, but i know i'll be back.
#7089
Guest
Posts: n/a
-33c with an 18km/h headwind, bike paths finally completely cleared! Very few cars on the road. 
The new boots made a big difference... toes started to get a bit cold by the end of the ride but nothing serious. I only had on 2 pairs of socks, there's room for at least another thick wool pair if needed.
For whatever reason, my goggles performed better than they do at -20c. Maybe the headwind helped vent them better.
Looks like we might snap out of this cold spell by Monday (high of -14c forcast).

The new boots made a big difference... toes started to get a bit cold by the end of the ride but nothing serious. I only had on 2 pairs of socks, there's room for at least another thick wool pair if needed.
For whatever reason, my goggles performed better than they do at -20c. Maybe the headwind helped vent them better.
Looks like we might snap out of this cold spell by Monday (high of -14c forcast).
#7090
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Mid 30F temps this morning. The trail has turned to mashed potatoes. Not easy to ride on. The good news is that it's supposed to be in the 50s today, and I'm guessing the trail will clear off, hopefully before my ride home.
Bad headwind but I was going so slowly in the soupy snow that it didn't matter.
Bad headwind but I was going so slowly in the soupy snow that it didn't matter.
#7091
Get the stick.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
Bikes: 12 Y.O. Litespeed MTB, IRO Jamie Roy fixie, Custom Habanero Ti 'Cross, No name SS MTB, Old school lugged steel track bike (soon)
Super warm! 9 C, and even a little sunny. Feels like summer to me. I sure didn't need my long underwear. This has to be some kind of record for January.
#7092
warm and foggy in DC Too warm for a poly top and wind vest. I'm thinking it's in the low 50's??
#7093
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 0
From: Out there, on my bike
what balto charlie said.
#7094
warm, rainy, yesterday's fog mostly lifted (it was thick last night, though). supposedly a deep freeze either this afternoon or evening. sigh...
#7095
Guy with bike
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Yesterday on the way home was probably one of my rougher commutes so far. It was about 37F and pouring rain. The streets were pretty flooded in some places (6 inches deep in some spots). I had on running shoes and wool socks. They were full of water within 45 seconds of leaving work. Then my legs got drenched, too. I thought of stopping somewhere and wringing things out or calling someone for a ride, but I decided to just book it home. I made it, nothing froze, and it felt pretty good.
Today was great, a little icy, but nice. Tomorrow it's supposed to be below 0F in the morning.
Today was great, a little icy, but nice. Tomorrow it's supposed to be below 0F in the morning.
#7096
With 60 degree weather dropping rapidly, predictably we had an actual tornado last night . . . in January . . . geesh, shades of "Day After". Today is a tricky commute day. 40's and rainy turning to 20's by evening, which means ice. Yuck. I started bringing an extra pair of socks and gloves for the ride home because I am totally soaked after 40 min in the rain on the way in. Just too much water out there. This is with neoprene booties and rain gear. Not looking forward to putting on soaked tights and shoes, which will eventually dampen my socks . . . wet in freezing weather . . . not good. I'd rather have it cold and dry.
My reward was a comment from a guy in the locker room as I was rinsing the road grime off my jacket and pants, "Pretty rough weather to ride you bike in" . . . "No, not really . . . " SCOOOOOOOOORE!!!
My reward was a comment from a guy in the locker room as I was rinsing the road grime off my jacket and pants, "Pretty rough weather to ride you bike in" . . . "No, not really . . . " SCOOOOOOOOORE!!!
#7097
switching to guns
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 0
From: kings county, nyc
Bikes: allez fuji tracku nishiki TT GT KHS arrow Miner 29'er CIOCC Corsair and now a f*cking awesome waterford skeet velo
supposed to be in the 60's here today! This morning it was so foggy I couldn't even see off the bridge. Couldn't see the city, anything. Creepy. As in zombie movie creepy.
#7098
winter is comming
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Bikes: Mikado kensington 2003, "commuterized" 8yr old Mongoose hilltopper SX, Baycrest Hurricane 10 speed
3C this morning, with a max of 8C this afternoon... Wet commute, Glad I have fenders, but it's clear I need to make mudflaps now. Some patches of water were 1-2 inches thick, and made a splashy mess on my pants. I know my drivetrain is getting much more water then it's supposed to..
Anyhow, was nice to have no ice for once, so I put the pressure in my tires and brought them to 40PSI (up from 20PSI). WHAT a difference does it make. I miss summer for the fast rides.
I'd take a whole year fo 10C if I could get rid of winter.
Anyhow, was nice to have no ice for once, so I put the pressure in my tires and brought them to 40PSI (up from 20PSI). WHAT a difference does it make. I miss summer for the fast rides.
I'd take a whole year fo 10C if I could get rid of winter.
#7099
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,366
Likes: 628
From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
37F with a few clouds and no wind when I left at 6AM. There were a few icey patches on the way in and it felt colder as I got closer to work. Checked when I arrived & it was down to 33F. By lunchtime it was only up to 35F and only hit the forecast 41F late this afternoon. Don




