Sunshine and the waning of winter
#1
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.
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.
#2
born again cyclist
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 88
From: Chicago
Bikes: I have five of brikes
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.
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.
#4
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
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.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,472
Likes: 4,551
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
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 ...
#8
Rocketship Underpants
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Bikes: '94 RS Bikes Stampede (commuter), Scattante XRL Team road bike (formerly '05 Cannondale R5000), '05 Cannondale Prophet 1000
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.
#9
www.ocrebels.com
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles area
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
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 get to work about 6:30AM and get off at 3:30 so my ride home is always in daylight.
Rick / OCRR
#10
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
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.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
It's funny. I'm almost disappointed how light it is when I leave at my normal time.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,965
Likes: 6
From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
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?
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,472
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
daughter is about to land in Tel Aviv and they have wonderful biking weather right now 68 degrees, passing clouds, wind is only 9mph.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
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.
#16
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
Not riding home in the pitch dark is starting to grow on me. Only good things can come of this!
#17
Fork and spoon operator
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 577
Likes: 11
From: Hopkins, Minnesota
Bikes: 2013 Surly Crosscheck, 1990 Schwinn Impact, 1973 Schwinn Continental
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.
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.
#18
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.
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.
#19
Fork and spoon operator
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 577
Likes: 11
From: Hopkins, Minnesota
Bikes: 2013 Surly Crosscheck, 1990 Schwinn Impact, 1973 Schwinn Continental
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,162
Likes: 647
From: Brooklyn NY
Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others
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.
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