Snowstorm hitting the entire pacific NW. even usually-dry tricities was not immune and we had several inches (and more brewing as I type this). Studded tires worked admirably, but I definitely need to stay on the less-traveled roads as car tire-packed snow has been ridiculously slippery.

So I needed to be extra careful, and probably rarely went faster than 10mph but it was a ton of fun.

First commute since last Friday. Low 40s F, windy, and sunny. Beautiful. Can't wait to ride home, even though that wind will be in my face the entire way.

Hey, Glad to see someone else commuted today in the "top news story North West snow storm". Took out the mountain bike and left the cyclocross commuter in the garage. I just hope the roads are negotiable on the way home. Most of the commute is on trail except for around Walmart in Richland.

Worked from home due to illness, so I guess I can't complain about the commute. :-/

What a nasty headwind coming in this morning.

Left work early in order to stop off at the bike shop for a quick repair to my squeaky front brake. I think I annoyed the mechanics but i needed it. They worked on the thing for about 25 minutes but I am now squeak free.

For some reason, the people in the elevator at my building all wanted to know about my winter commutes.

Another great commute, about 40 degrees in and 60 degrees home. Most of the time here in the desert southwest the wind is still in the morning, and blowing from the west in the afternoon - therefore the morning pre-sunrise ride is always still and enchanting, and the afternoon spin home always has a tailwind because I live on the east end of town. Couldn't be a cooler setup!

All the slush from yesterday was today transformed into small ice crests, if you know what I mean. Tiny lanes of solid ice, which once you were in, couldn't get out of. Going downhill, my shoulders went way, way up close to my ears and I was stiff as a tin man. Literally petrified...

So no, not a great start of the day. Hopefully the ice will be slush again once it's time to go home.

Just chilly this mornning at 24f (-4C), but no wind, and that was nice compared to yesterday, which was like riding in sand.

Chilly coming in...will be chilly in the office today, forgot to pack my bag with some critical articles of clothing.

No ride today either, which makes it a whole week since I was last on the bike. -44C with the wind chill doesn't allow much margin of safety on a 50 minute ride. After the 10 minute walk from where I parked my car, the front of my legs were getting numb. I really love my down jacket on days like these. I save it for days that are below -25.

I expected a fast commute this morning with a tailwind, but my legs just didn't have it today. Perhaps it was the cold as the temps dipped into the 20s for the first time in a while, plus I got caught at every long traffic signal and got very chilled waiting for the lights to change from red to green. I was hoping the red lights would give me a break since it's my birthday, but they are cruel masters. On the bright side, it will be a sunny day and I'm sitting in my warm office now drinking hot coffee.

21 F, which is not bad at all when it's dry with no wind like it was this morning. The ride would have been great, but for the two long detours off the bike path path to get around trail maintenance activities (tree limbing). They've been working along the trail for the last two weeks, but hopefully they'll finish soon.

18 F with no wind when I left the house. It was so peaceful and quiet. For whatever reason, there was ice on my left glove on the fingers. Couldn't figure out where the water or ice came from.

3 NoVAs in a row? I ride from McLean as well. I guess you mean the Custis detours right? Those are pretty annoying.

27 or something, but i left late and there was little wind and a little sun, so it was perfectly comfortable.

Move South, my friend, move south!!:thumb:

It was like Springtime today, over 50 degrees on the ride in and 66 degrees with a tailwind coming home. I really do like my city!

Great! 19 F. when I started out, but base layer + wool sweater + bike jacket with open vents was fine for that--actually had to unzip some uphill. Balaclava with mask pulled under the chin. Midweight gloves over light ones under bar mitts, light running pants over Thermasilk long johns. Wool socks and duck boots. A beautiful sunrise was in progress when I left home.

Return started in our first little snowstorm. Nothing on the ground when I left. An inch or so when I arrived. Snow tires worked great--not a slide or fishtail. Was doing better than some of the cars. Wished I had windshield wipers for the glasses, but stopped a couple times to wipe them off. Washed the bike, lubed the chain and I'm ready for tomorrow. I have to drive if it's a regular schedule ):, but I'm hoping for a two-hour delay. That'll make three straight days. Fingers crossed!

Upon arrival at Mom's to visit on the way home. Not ashamed to be high-vis.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...d/IMG_5092.jpg

14 below this AM with 29 below windchill.
I passed... :(

No shame in that-that's truly extreme.

Yesterday I rode in with a frozen rear dérailleur and about a 1/2 mile from work the upper pulley wheel broke and I limped the bike to work. Left it overnight, took the bus home, and thought I had an old rear dérailleur to scavenge from at home but nope. And today took the bus in and on my lunch break walked at race pace to an LBS and bought a pair of new pulleys. Threw a new one on at the end of the day and rode home with the studded tires snapple, crack, popping until I'd roll over the black ice and they would go ominously quiet and I would hold my breath that the studs actually work (they do) and roll all the way home.

Pathetic loser. (JUST KIDDING!!!!)

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND...how you guys up north do it!!! It was 46 degrees at my house in Okeechobee, FL this morning (which means a 90%+ humidity level) and I about froze during the first few miles of my ride to work. I even went back into the bedroom and got an extra layer to put on under my jacket. I had on a long sleeve tee shirt, cycling shorts, tights, a short sleeve jersey, a thermal style long sleeve tee shirt, my nylon shell wind jacket, full finger gloves, a beenie hat, my helmet, glasses and such. The first two miles, with the jacket zipped tight to my neck, I was COLD. After that, natural heating took over, and by mile 5 was considering stopping to take the thermal tee off. But it was just another 3 miles to the shop, so I kept going. I used to live in Michigan, I remember the cold, but I don't remember anyone commuting on a bike in the winter.

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee

Our mild winter continues. After one day with a low in the 20s, it only dropped to the mid-30s this morning. Funny, it felt just as cold on my bike though, perhaps due to higher humidity. Yesterday I had nothing in my legs, but they felt better today. Not sure what that was about. I was afraid maybe I was starting to come down with a cold because I'll notice it first with a drop in energy levels, but I feel fine today -- even though I'm a year older. Turned 58 yesterday.

Southerly crosswind coming in this morning, temps around 38. Circling police choppers kept me up all night so it was a groggy ride...they were still parked out in front of my building this morning at 5:15. I do love this city sometimes.

You sure it was a southerly crosswind? I had a persistent 15 mph headwind out of the north with occasional gusts. Made 35 degrees feel a lot colder than 35!

Gotta agree.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=wasd2

Ride in this morning was great. Cold, but not too cold, right around freezing temps. Precip isn't due until tonight after 9:00, so ride home should be dry and snow-free. Legs felt good.

After a rough day yesterday in the car (traffic was terrible), it was great to be back out on the bike today.

Did not ride yesterday, I fired up Old Red (my GMC Jimmy 1997) and drove because I wanted to give my legs a day off. On the car drive to work, and also on the drive home, I wished I was on the bike instead- - I'm growing to dislike driving very much because of the stress, the other drivers, the feeling that you have to be aggressive. I don't like getting angry, and every time I drive that happens, whereas when I ride my bike I feel happy and refreshed.

It wasn't much of a bike commuting week this week. I was so wiped out from Sunday's windy 200k that I just drove to work Monday rather than riding. I had medical appointments on both Wednesday and Friday, so didn't ride those days either. I rode Tuesday and Thursday, and got an extra 5 miles on the ride home Tuesday, making a stop at Performance Bike to pick up some tubes.

2012 days ridden to work: 10
2012 commuting mileage: 250.3