Sunshine and the waning of winter
 

The days are getting longer and I'm starting to get some glimpses of sun on my commute.

February is my favorite winter month. Longer days, typically more moderate temps than what we get in January, and often more snow. From a commuting perspective, it's also the season where we lose a lot of the ice/snow buildup on the residential streets though that hasn't been much of a problem the last couple of years.

Once we get into March and we lose the snow cover for the first time I'm done with winter. Winter often isn't done with us though and can make an appearance even into late April.

because chicago is on the extreme eastern edge of its time zone, i always have daylight for my ride into work in the morning, even on the winter solstice.

conversely, after work i'm riding in pitch black night for much of the winter season, but early february is when i start catching the very last dusky glimpses of twilight as i leave work when the skies are clear.

it gives me hope.

Yeah, noticed that too. Snow is the biggest problem keeping me off the bike right now. The roads get plowed well but just as soon as the deep slush gets cleaned up, it snows again. February is worse for me as we get more snow and more cold wind chill. I commuted quite a bit in January and on dry pavement and clean ice but in the dark. Now its daylight both ways but too much slush and snow. Studded snow tires don't do anything to help that. Can't wait for spring to get back on the icy stuff so I can scoot right along.

Lousy Smarch Weather. :mad:

I only bike commuted through one winter (& loved it) but now I eagerly look forward to a saturday w/ 40 degrees, no black ice and maybe even dry roads. yeah, I'm a lightweight now ...

40 degrees is just coating the world with ice right now.....Atleast there is sunshine.

We just get rain and cold down here in Georgia, no snow. I'll end up getting up and leaving earlier as summer gets closer, simply because I enjoy riding to work in the dark.

Just beginning to see the pre-sunrise as I get to work in the morning here in Los Angeles. Still using full lights front and rear, but yes, just the hint that sunrise is near as I'm arriviing at work.

I get to work about 6:30AM and get off at 3:30 so my ride home is always in daylight.

Rick / OCRR

I'm definitely noticing the longer days, both on my morning and afternoon commutes. I use my headlight all of the time, but I can turn it down to the lowest setting now about half way to work in the morning. In the afternoons, I keep it on low until I am almost home. Ice has not been a problem in NC this winter except for a couple of mornings.

It's funny. I'm almost disappointed how light it is when I leave at my normal time.

I'm a scenery junky so I'm happy to have daylight, at least for my rides home. When I work in Salem, that is, and get off work earlier. Yesterday I could see all the way home, though it was pretty dark heading up my driveway. I always have my headlight on for visibility. Generator hub, so why not?

Feb 15 is usually the watershed here. Don't often get snow storms after that date. The days get longer. Temperatures rise a little.

Feels great to be alive!!

daughter is about to land in Tel Aviv and they have wonderful biking weather right now 68 degrees, passing clouds, wind is only 9mph.

The extra daylight came to my rescue today. I forgot to recharge my headlight after my last commute, and only realized that this morning after I got up. I was able to charge the light for about 45 minutes and had just enough battery power to ride to work with the light on low. A month ago, I would have had to drive to work if I forgot to recharge my light because of the additional darkness.

Not riding home in the pitch dark is starting to grow on me. Only good things can come of this!

Yeah, I'm in the Twin Cities too, and it definitely feels like we're getting over the hump! I'm starting to think about getting my road bike ready...

For me though, for commuting I think I'd take the weather in mid January over the weather now, with all the snow. My commuting route is really nice when the roads are clear, but makes me a little nervous when the shoulder creeps in closer to traffic.

That makes me nervous too but overall I LOVED my commute this morning. It was gorgeous.

No doubt about that-- this morning was beautiful! It was one of those special days where you really appreciate being out there.

I may try riding in tom'w for the first time in a while. The snow is mostly gone from the weekend blizzard (it wasn't so much a blizzard in NYC proper). It should be in the high 40s, with 30s in the morning on the ride in. It is still light out at 5:30, but I never get out quite that early. I have my lights all charged already. The mornings are no problem.