Corsaire

Folks, I'm debating between driving or riding tomorrow, here's the forecast for tomorrow Friday:

7am (going to work) 9F at 12mph winds, real feel -14F
5pm (going back) 14F at 10mph winds, real feel -3F

It'll be sunny and clear though, road rae clean, 11.5 one way.

Should I or should I not, please help me decide.

Corsaire

Guest

If you've got the clothing and you're properly layered, go for it.

If you don't have the clothing, and you're not used to riding in the cold, take the car.

Or compromise if you can't take the bike, ride the train or take the bus, so you'll still be helping the environment. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Koffee

Jay H

I'm in northern NJ and I plan on biking to work tomorrow... I vote yes! Just hope you don't get a fl*t...

Jay

clevernamehere

I say if you've got the appropriate clothing including a wind proof layer, go for it! It's great fun to see the faces on your co-workers when you pull up on your bike in weather they don't even want to run from the car to the office in!

BostonFixed

I think that its going to be even colder here tomorrow moring in boston. I'd guess around +3-7 F, plus windchill, so temps will probably be around -20 F range with windchill. I'm riding. But my commute is only around 1.5-2mi.

cyclezealot

I vote you go south for the winter.Traction worries me while on a bike in such conditions..Do they make chains for bike tires.

Corsaire

Yeah, I got the right gear, clothing is not a problem, I think it'll be a go....where exactly in Northern jersey r you from Jay?
Perhaps I might be waving at you.......if

I'll be coming from Clifton to Fairfield

dee-vee

Man I was cold today and it was only in the 40's! But all I had was pants + sweat shirt and a beanie.

BikeFor

Do they now? Sounds like you could be on to something, I've learned here about the Nokian studded tire for "icework". Also, don't forget front/rear high-mount full fenders!

Corsaire

I've got armadillos nimbus, full-on fenders, roads are clean, so it should be fine. I'll take the shortest route, that's for sure!
Corsaire bbbbrrrrrrr!

BikeFor

Regular biking is deemed risky, tomorrow's biking would be like a micro expedition, how dialed-in are you? It all depends on how prepared you judge yourself to be, fueled with a level-headed urge to go. Be sure to check "all systems go" before heading out and all the rest of it.

Dchiefransom

If you're riding against the wind, you need to add your speed to the wind's speed for an accurate windchill.

Guest

Good luck and report back!

Koffee

aiguy

I'd do it for sure, but then everyone I know (in person) thinks I'm crazy except one the other serious cyclist who works with me.

Daily Commute

Koffee nailed it. Since you have the proper equipment, go for it. Just give yourself some extra time and be careful. Let us know how it went.

slvoid

I'm riding, so should you.

Steele-Bike

You betcha...
https://www.icebike.com/Equipment/tirechains.htm

Corsaire

I'm seated at my desk now, it was a nice ride, actually I wasn't concerned with cold as much as I was with the winds. As it turned out, wind wasn't an issue. It must be very cold since I didn't sweat much at all, then again I didn't push it I just cruised along at 14mph.
Thanks guys for all the support, you all psyched me up!
All in all it was exhilarating, can't wait to ride back!
Corsaire

max-a-mill

hardcore!

no ride for me today (in philly). i caught a flat yeaterday on the way home and vowed to take a day off as i took off after getting it fixed.

even though it was a short work week (monday off) the weather and the cold put a beatin on me this week!

hoping to get in a little offorad ride tommorrow before the REAL snow starts falling. next week should be interesting!

Jay H

Hey Corsaire, I go from Bloomingdale to Wayne, so we wont really cross paths, unless you take a huge northerly detour on your way to Fairfield. Do you go around Bloomfield ave or north of Rt 80/46. I guess that's the question, do you get to Fairfield north of 80/46 or south of 80/46?

It wasn't too bad this morning (other than my headlamp decided to die halfway through it) it was about 9deg out when I left around 6;15 which was warmer than wednesday. However, the winds were a bit more gustier this morning.

M-and-M: I had TWO flats on the way home last night.. I had a front tire flat about 2 miles from home. Took out my spare tube and THAT had a hole in it. Managed to find the hole in the first and patched it up. But then in 1/2 mile it went flat again! So I rode about 1.5 miles with a front tire flat. Got home and the patch I put on the first tire was bad, I guess too old and lost it's adhesive!

Jay

peterm5365

I rode this morning too. Didn't even realize it was that cold until I got to work. I did notice that they balaclava was not enough to ward off the frozen face pain this morning.

Corsaire

That won't work, I had a red thin neoprene skull cap and a neoprene blue face ski mask both by Gator. Both kept my head and face toasty, my glasses didn't fog up because the mask has opening right on the mouth area. Over all that I had the helmet.

Corsaire

Corsaire

Yeah, I know the area, sometimes I ride thru Bloomingdale for training. February 20th I'll be leading a ride which part of the route is thru there. My Armadillos are as tough as nails, I have yet to get flats on these, knock on wood.
I don't patch tubes on the road, I prefer to just change it for a new one.
Can't wait for my ride back home.
Corsaire

Jay H

I'll patch them if I can see an obvious hole from say a nail but yeah, I don't normally patch tubes when on the road. I figure it would be easier to find a hole in the tube that I had on the tire than a supposedly new tube.

Jay

2manybikes

Yes they make chains for bike tires. They are not new. You need the cushion of the snow so they are not too b b b bbum..bumpy. Kind of like riding on a ten sided tire instead of round. Knobbies are better for most snow, and the ability to go on the road also, with studs for ice. I don't think the chains sell well, they are specifically good for only some conditions. They are really good for deep snow..you know the kind where you get exhausted in a block!