-12C with a bit of a headwind, which was a nice surprise since it was -24 when I went to bed last night. Riding the Pugsley it took 72 minutes to get to class. I try to stick to the softer snow for better traction. On the weekend I installed 4.8" knobbie tires which meant a lot less sliding around. The clearance in the rear is very tight with only 2-3mm either side. I was getting some intermittent rubbing. I took care of that when I got to class but will do a better job when I get home. With clearance that tight I need to true to the tire instead of the rim surface.

The MUP was blown-in in a few spots, but I was able to ride across the narrow path where people were walking. In one spot where I had to walk, my leg sunk in past my knee. So far we've had 60cm of snow for November, which exceeds the total amount of snow we had all last winter.

This morning, 30 degrees, I take the long way to work adding an extra 10 miles to a 9 mile commute!! ;)

Why? Because I am riding a new addition to my stable of vintage bikes, an 89 Cannondale Black Lightning.

I slapped two front lights and a rear light on her, and she goes through the darkness like a "bat out of h*ll"..

Tell me life isn't sweet. ;)

Rode in this morning with no creaking in the cranks and pedaling was smooth as butter. Short commute, but for the first time the bike really felt solid. Replacing the BB and brake pads this weekend turned out to be a great idea. No more complaining from the BB bearings. Still warm here so I was sweating by the time I got in. I am ready for the cooler weather to take over, but it is likely that won't happen.

Great article, thanks - and I'm jealous of DC's path offerings though Indy is working hard to become bike friendly. 32F this morning and tried chemical toe warmers for the first time. I really dislike the idea of a one-time, throw away warming option but it's the first time I've gotten almost all the way to work with feeling left in my toes. Worked this weekend on turning mountain bike into my snow-friendly commuter. I'm anxious to try it, except that would mean we would have snow!

Yikes! Only about 20 cm so far here, and it hasn't snowed much at all in the past 2 weeks.

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last cycle-commute. Over the weekend, a few people asked me, "You're not still riding your bike, are you?" and I had to admit that, no, I hadn't been riding. Feeling somewhat ashamed of myself was part of what finally got me back on the saddle this morning. -10C/14F, no wind. Roads have improved quite a bit since my last ride, but it still took a while to get to work. My lack of regular riding is starting to catch up to me on the hills.

I put the Nokian A10 studded tires on my bike this weekend and also added some retroreflective tape to the rims and a bit more to the rear rack, completing that project, too.

I did a test ride last night and didn't think the studded tires were too bad.

This morning's commute was longer, though, about 5 minutes longer than normal, with speed about 1.5-2.0 mph lower than I would normally do. The A10's do have higher rolling resistance than my summer tires, my thighs can confirm this. The peace of mind knowing I am prepared as well as I can for winter weather is worth it, though.

It is time to start saving for a second bike, so I can choose the one with summer tires if the weather won't dip below freezing on a particular day. For now, though, I will just work harder pushing the studded tires and consider it good exercise and "character building."

Sorry, as a Canadian (who admittedly does not cycle year-round) I snickered a little when I saw the picture of the cyclist riding a bare, dry trail. Here's an article from my neck of the woods about a year-round cycle-commuter...this is what winter cycling means to me! http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/...964/story.html

I got about 100 yards this morning before hitting black ice and going over. :(

I walked back home and drove the car in. Now my hip is really starting to stiffen up and hurt. It hasn't rained here since friday, so I figured the roads would be dry enough, but I was wrong. Guess I'll be driving most of the week.

I need to get a trike.....

Not a great commuting day for me, other than the ride. First, I couldn't find my keys this morning so I rode my touring bike with panniers loaded with all the clothes for today since I couldn't get in the storage room at work without my keys -- and that's where I keep my spare clothes, shoes, etc. When I got to work I realized why I couldn't find my keys at home. I normally leave my bike lock attached to the rack at work, but it was gone. Apparently I left my lock, keys and cable lying on the ground unlocked when I loaded up my bike to head home from last week before the holidays -- and somebody took them. Fortunately I had a small, spare cable lock in my bag, so I could lock it up today, but I'll have to shell out $50-75 for a new lock and cable tonight.

42F, calm, cool, and bright blue skies. Taking advantage of the nice weather to get in a few extra miles before work this morning.

Finally the commute is getting colder here - anything below freezing is "cold" - and I'll admit I'm missing those 60-70 degree mornings. I was a slacker last week, having the week off from work, had a 50 mile ride and 4 or so really short ones. I can feel it already, feeling slower and heavy legs.

lake effect blowing snow this morning, partly frozen slush on the road, 3" on the trail portion.

22F am. 36F pm.

wet and mud on the way home.

Floridians for ya, lol. I did need extra layers, I AM a FL native after all, but everyone was acting like I'd die of hypothermia or something and I just had to laugh and laugh.

As for the commute today, I took my car. I intend to start biking to work every once in awhile, and see how regularly I can/want to do it. It was a nice drive, the road less traveled by is also less stressful by car too!

First frosty morning of the year, and I had to ride over a couple of - shudder - ice patches. I survived. The ride home was beautiful.

7C/44F.

good to be back in the saddle again after a weekend in Bavaria. gotta work off the leberkäse, spätzle, schnitzel und hefeweizen :D

It was raining, one of my rain jackets was at work,and couldn't find the other one. No problem, I go for a trench coat to wear on the bike. Only got a 9 mile one way commute. However, the wife(boss)stepped in and physically took my beater bike away from me. Physically took off my bike clothes, physically put on regular clothes, and physically drove me to work!! :cry:

One of those mornings (I see a few of you have had these too!)

Couldnt find my ID for work so went back up to my pat...gave up...got outside and the rain was just starting to come down so I pulled over and changed into my rain jacket. Got to my office and oh what a pain in the a$$ to get in without a badge.

Finally get to the locker room to discover my badge...I zipped it up into an air vent for the ride home yesterday.

You Canadian commuters are my heros! I asked my wife if we could take a trip to Canada so I could try riding in real snow... she gave me the "you're an idiot" look

Rainy the whole way, and just cold enough that I can't ignore it (50F). I tried out some plastic overshoe boots I purchased cheap from China but they didn't really work, soggy socks after all.

Foggy.

Drove in today. Because I know how others drive in the snow, I didn't feel like riding in the first snow of the year.

I usually do the same during the first rainstorm of the season.

Lots of rain overnight, still cloudy and about 40 this morning with slightly wet streets and puddles.

I got to see a fender bender happen right in front of me.
Here's a 30 second quicktime mov of it taken from my handlebar cam (not on Youtube).

:lol:

The MUP still hadn't been plowed for last nights ride home. I figured since they plowed it Friday, the city probably didn't think it needed to be done again. I gave them a call this morning to let them know it had blown-in during the weekend.

The blown-in spots actually made the ride more fun on the Pugsley. In one spot with just a 12" wide foot trampled path I was able to fly across it at 16kph without loosening my fillings. About 1/2 way home a race broke out with another commuter. I started out in the lead and I could tell he was really giving it to catch up. He seemed to have some off road mtb experience because when he got past me and flew down a slope that goes into a 90 degree turn, he was steering with his back tire.

-13C with a little tailwind this afternoon. Much of the MUP still not plowed, so I got to enjoy rolling over rutted single track. In the park a news guy wanted to get a few shots of me riding. He didn't ask my name so it will probably be used as part of a "people outside doin stuff" segment, or an opportunistic addition to his stock footage. To combat the ice from last week, the city has been laying down lots of sand. Which means there is going to be lots of mashed potato snow soon.

ps: when I mentioned to my mom how fun last nights ride was she said, "you're not suposed to be having fun, biking is for transportation".