this morning was a struggle, but the ride home was great.

Today was great. Felt super strong and fast. Must be because I shaved my legs last night. ;)

Raining and I drove (hangs head in shame). I need to toughen up and let myself get soaked on occasion.

48 degrees this AM, but fine in long sleeve Tshirt layered under a synthetic long sleeve shirt. I'll have to remember that one. When I can cycle the day goes very well. Fall is great.

ride home was COLD. I just bought a windbreaker today, from walmart...I know I know...but it was in the sporting goods section and the guy who works back there is a known cyclist, and he said that is what he wears all winter long and he does fine. Plus it's waterproof and has a hood...plus moisture wicking material inside...for 30 bucks I thought it was a good deal. Anyway my commute is so short that I don't have time to warm up, so it was cold.

My new computer is nice though, says I averaged a speed of 17.1 mph on the way home.

A bit of rain tonight, though not bad. I was almost home, about 3 blocks remaining between me and a hot meal, when the traffic on 5th Ave in Brooklyn was stalled at the bus stop at 9th St. I weaved through the "parking lot", passed a NYPD patrol car, and came up alongside a white minivan with a coupla teens/twentysomethings inside--they were double-parked near the bus stop. The cop realized they were the holdup and started his/her siren. Short bursts, y'know: whoop, whoop, whoop...

As I passed the minivan the driver started to move the vehicle, then I heard the passenger say, "We gotta pick up Eddie!" Driver: "Da WooWooWoo is dere!" and I think to myself "WooWooWoo?"...WTF?

I hope the cop got a good laugh; I sure did...

The first part of my ride is very rural. Pretty much "country". There is a big intersection that I have to turn left at. I usually cross the very wide road and ride in the wrong direction on the big shoulder so I can turn left. I do this because-In this situation it is much safer. The light will never turn green in the turn lane.

This morning I saw another cyclist entering the intersection coming the opposite way. I decided to go for the turn lane so this other rider didn't have a fit. I ended up having to go through a red light anyway.

Either way I'm pissing somebody off. I'd rather piss off a driver than a cyclist.

Here's a trick that will get you home the next time you have a tear in the sidewall (you'll no doubt find this elsewhere in BF).

The dollar boot: Fold a dollar in half twice, or until it's just a bit larger than the hole (you don't leave home without cash, right?). The newer and crisper the bill the better; it needs to be strong. Hold it in place over the hole as you reinstall the tube. Inflate and ride.

I've done it--it works as long as the hole isn't too large. Don't try to ride a century with it. I managed the remaining ten miles or so to my home. And, yes, other denominations will work as well :rolleyes:

50 degree F - little chilly this morning.

Another rabbit ran into my spokes today. Back spokes this time. :(

Low 50s (f) here, too. It's actually the first COLD commute I've had (been riding since late August) and the cheezy fleece pullover I got didn't do much.

I believe I must rethink my cold-weather strategy...

Other than the temps, the ride in was great...Clear skies full of stars.

Coldest morning in NC since last spring, w/ temps in the upper 40sF in Raleigh. I love it. I wore my vest for the first time since spring, and feel much safer since it is so bright (neon green). However, I overdressed a little since I was sweatier than usual when I got to work. Takes a few weeks riding in the cold to get the clothes right.

T. Brock -- Here's some cheap advice on dressing for the cold: Think layers. Get some inexpensive wicking T-shirts (less than $10 at Target) as a base layer under your jersey. Get some arm and leg warmers for the mornings. (Long sleeve jerseys and tights are fine during winter, but usually too hot in the afternoons in NC in spring and fall.) Get a vest, preferably neon green or orange. That vest will become your most valued piece of clothing in the cold. Get some long-finger gloves and wool cycling socks. If you keep riding through the winter (Dec, Jan, Feb), you might want to buy a winter cycling jacket but I would hold off on that until you're sure that you'll keep riding. Finally, do you have good lights? You need strong head and tail lights to ride all winter.

Damn, two days in a row with the freaking car...today's weather forecast was for gale force winds and torrential rain, I didn't need to deal with that and the fact I have to go fix a friends computer after work. But I'm sitting here having bike withdrawal...I want to be riding!!

set a personal best time this am, 31 min for 7.5 miles... I know that's chump change for a lot of you, but expect me to be on your rear wheel soon... :)

I have actually seen a few this year. Sometimes I go a few years without seeing them, but usually when the rodent population is up (rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks) I tend to see a few here in suburbia. Working nights at a nursing home back in the woods has it's benefits. I get to see all kinds of animals in the parking lot.

Moist again. High 40sF. Light tailwind. Didn't see a single cyclist. :(

Geese are migrating.

My last commute day, then vacation for 2 weeks. :thumb:
:beer:

After 2 days of driving, I was back on the bike today and I couldn't be happier. Last night I did a pretty tough training session and my legs were still feeling it today, but the weather was perfect and all the traffic lights went my way as if by magic. Looking forward to the ride home and then another training session tonight.

Noticed a vehicle back while riding down Crosslink Drive in Raleigh, N.C. After a moment I head checked, it was still staying just back of me. I started to wonder why he wouldn't pass me (plenty of room) when he finally passes me slowly - it's an animal control truck. Up ahead he throws his flashers on and pulls over to the other side of road, where I see 2 big, mean looking, homeless looking, dogs hanging out.

Jeebus! It was cold today. So far late summer/early fall had been a pickle. It hadn't been very cold in the mornings, even when it seemed like it would be. So I would start off wearing way too much and get really hot.

So this morning, I thought, well, it hasn't been cold enough in the mornings for any more than a long sleeved wicking shirt and lycra shorts.

It was 37. wind chill feeling was like 31 according to weather.com at the time.

I was farkin cold. It didn't bother me much, except for my hands, which were farking icicles when I got to work. wooo boy. Note to self for tomorrow. WEAR SOME GLOVES.

I don't wear a jersey...Instead I go for a short and long-sleeved technical fabric shirt. They both wick sweat pretty good.

The part I've miscalculated is the el cheapo fleece I got from Wal-Mart (Yeah, bite me. Only place 'round these parts to buy stuff). The cool air cut right through. I've got a wind-breaker-esque jacket that I wear in wet weather. I'm thinking it may provide enough wind protection with the fleece and shirt under that. I'm also going to wear some old USMC glove-liners over the bike gloves and a beanie under the helmet. I've got neoprene ear muffs, but I don't think it's that bad yet.

That's my plan for tomorrow. We'll see how it works then ;)

vest
 

Sounds like you need some wind-blocking. That's why a vest works so well. It blocks the wind without making you all sweaty like a wind-breaker or rain jacket. In my experience, a wind-blocking vest is essential for riding in cold weather.

Ah the commute was gorgeous... i love the early morning commute in the dark with little traffic. It was still and quiet. I passed the other Nisku commuter (there's actually 3 of us, possibly 4).

I love pogies or Moose Mitts, too. They let me wear my summer gloves year-round without having to add layers.

Both mount on your handlebars and block wind. Pogies add closures around your wrists to block ALL air, and are constructed like miniature sleeping bags for warmth. Moose Mitts are more just wind-blockers, with some fleece insulation. When I switched to Moose Mitts, I expected to have to put up with less comfort, but it never happened. Check them out.

If all else fails, you'll probably be much happier with that fleece if you put it on with the zipper in the back. I'd bet most of the wind is coming in through the zipper. use ribbon or string to give you a means to reach the zipper if you go that route.

After breaking a spoke yesterday, I started off riding extra gently this morning. I gave up on that after a couple blocks and hammered away as usual. :D

that's a neat idea.

and to the OP, wind blocking fleece jackets are available through EMS (online). expensive though.

Yea, I need to get a nice fleece to put on under my Wind breaker, would make a world of difference I think.

I'm car-free, so I'll definitely be riding during the winter months.

Ok. I'll see what kind of vests I can find at the local big-box sports stores ('cuz, again, that's all we got).

I'm toying with ordering the Cat 6 jersey from TwinSix, especially since they're having a sale and jersey's are $45. I know it won't help much with weather now, but it may be good for spring-time riding.

Dood...effin' cold, fought a headwind all the way in. Hope it doesn't rain, too...cold rain sucks bad.

lol, that's the kind i prefer :p then i can don the full rain kit and actually arrive dry (no sweat).

i find that a fleece under a wind breaker is too much in all but the coldest conditions (too cold to ride), but you may be different. I prefer light, medium or heavy polyester thermals under a wind breaker. Thinner, more breathable, more wicking.