Record Lows
#27
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
I'm glad the Western Ocean is around me.. except for the N Pacific current from Fukushima .
The next week, the temperature will vary from High 40s to Low 40s..(F)
warms when it rains .
.. temperature often like AMS..
The next week, the temperature will vary from High 40s to Low 40s..(F)
warms when it rains .
.. temperature often like AMS..
#28
always rides with luggage
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 20
From: KIGX
Bikes: 2007 Trek SU100, 2009 Fantom CX, 2012 Fantom Cross Uno, Bakfiets
Tomorrow is forecast for a high of 22 with wind chills to -7... I will ride it if it isn't icy. Not sure what I'll wear, buuuut... I will do it.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#30
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

rain slightly tapping on the cobblestones outside of my open window!
#33
I start questioning my sanity when temps get into the teens (F) and I'm riding my bike to work. The warm car is simply too tempting. Also, the gear required for 20 and below is a step up to the next level, which is only a couple days a year around here, so the investment is not really worth it.
#34
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
My coldest commute so far has been about 15 F and I've done that several times. However, temps are supposed to drop to the single digits tonight with wind chills in the -5 to -10 range, so I will probably drive. I am not convinced that my gear -- mainly gloves and shoes -- will keep me warm enough in those conditions. Temperatures are supposed to be a little milder with no significant wind on Wednesday, so I do plan to ride that day and perhaps I'll set a new personal record low.
#35
Broken neck Ken


Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
-7F actual this morning, with gusts driving windchill down to -30/40 range. For my 1 mile commute, my gloves proved inadequate even with chemical warmer inserts. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder yet.
#36
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
-23 this morning with windchill -45. I put my bike in my van and drove to work, where I park about a mile away cause it's free. I got on the bike and was doing fine untill about a block from my work. My freewheel started freewheeling in both directions and I walked the bike the rest of the way. I'll see if it will hook up on the way home.
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I did my first bike commute of the year today: 9.4 miles at -19F, with a windchill of -45F. Truly, it didn't feel too bad. At that temperature you really notice where there are gaps in your clothes-- even a sliver of exposed skin starts to ache almost immediately. My toes got a little cold toward the end of the ride, but it was actually a pretty pleasant ride.
#38
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I was out walking in -2šF the other day. I'm going to see how I like cycling in cold weather. I was just out cycling in the rain at about 40šF.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#39
One Man Fast Brick
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Bianchi San Jose, early 90s GT Karakoram, Yuba Mundo, Mercier Nano (mini velo), Nashbar Steel Commuter, KHS Tandemania Sport
-23 this morning with windchill -45. I put my bike in my van and drove to work, where I park about a mile away cause it's free. I got on the bike and was doing fine untill about a block from my work. My freewheel started freewheeling in both directions and I walked the bike the rest of the way. I'll see if it will hook up on the way home.
I don't have a fixed gear mountain bike, but IMO that is the way to go if you can handle the commute on one and you are going to be subjecting yourself to those kind of temperatures routinely. Almost nothing there that can immobilize you if it freezes.
#40
Dirt junkie.
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 6
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: Surly Ice Cream Truck, Peacock Groove road bikem, Salsa Fargo
-23 this morning with windchill -45. I put my bike in my van and drove to work, where I park about a mile away cause it's free. I got on the bike and was doing fine untill about a block from my work. My freewheel started freewheeling in both directions and I walked the bike the rest of the way. I'll see if it will hook up on the way home.
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 3
From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: Surly Steamroller FG, Trek 800 SS MTB, Omega Tandem Sport
-23 this morning with windchill -45. I put my bike in my van and drove to work, where I park about a mile away cause it's free. I got on the bike and was doing fine untill about a block from my work. My freewheel started freewheeling in both directions and I walked the bike the rest of the way. I'll see if it will hook up on the way home.
Last edited by john4789; 01-06-14 at 06:00 PM. Reason: freehub not freewheel
#43
YMMV
For folks who are unaccustomed to snow, ice, and cold, winter cycling can be really difficult when you don't have the right gear or a bicycle that just is not equipped.
The studded tyres went on to my bikes in November and I have several bicycles set up for winter cycling... synthetic grease in the hubs, freewheel / freehub, and bottom bracket keep things running at extreme cold and in the case of my three speed, synthetic oil in the hub will keep it spinning smoothly at any temperature I could conceivably ride in.
Braking is also affected and you have to watch for ice build up on brake pads / rims... take a warm bike into a deep freeze and moisture will condense / freeze on the rims... my winter bikes rarely get warmed up and stay cold all winter.
#44
Not quite there yet
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 999
Likes: 2
From: Monkey Bottom, NC
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes + an ICE trike
Tomorrow morning will be my first commute in single digit weather. Mid-teens in previous winters were less than comfortable but nothing I would choose to avoid. I'm a bit worried about the equipment functioning well though. I have a 5 sp IGH that has not yet shown problems in cold weather but not as low as it will be in the morning. Should be interesting and in any case, is far better than having to sit down in a cold car seat - I hate that!
#45
Broken neck Ken


Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
For me... -52 F.
YMMV
For folks who are unaccustomed to snow, ice, and cold, winter cycling can be really difficult when you don't have the right gear or a bicycle that just is not equipped.
The studded tyres went on to my bikes in November and I have several bicycles set up for winter cycling... synthetic grease in the hubs, freewheel / freehub, and bottom bracket keep things running at extreme cold and in the case of my three speed, synthetic oil in the hub will keep it spinning smoothly at any temperature I could conceivably ride in.
Braking is also affected and you have to watch for ice build up on brake pads / rims... take a warm bike into a deep freeze and moisture will condense / freeze on the rims... my winter bikes rarely get warmed up and stay cold all winter.
YMMV
For folks who are unaccustomed to snow, ice, and cold, winter cycling can be really difficult when you don't have the right gear or a bicycle that just is not equipped.
The studded tyres went on to my bikes in November and I have several bicycles set up for winter cycling... synthetic grease in the hubs, freewheel / freehub, and bottom bracket keep things running at extreme cold and in the case of my three speed, synthetic oil in the hub will keep it spinning smoothly at any temperature I could conceivably ride in.
Braking is also affected and you have to watch for ice build up on brake pads / rims... take a warm bike into a deep freeze and moisture will condense / freeze on the rims... my winter bikes rarely get warmed up and stay cold all winter.
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Southern Colorado
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
Yesterday: 3 above, icy slick streets. No go.
This morning: 22 above, ice mostly melted, game on!
This morning: 22 above, ice mostly melted, game on!
#49
Not quite there yet
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 999
Likes: 2
From: Monkey Bottom, NC
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes + an ICE trike
9 degrees when I arrived at work this AM, a personal low for me. Roads were dry, just a bit of wind, and less traffic than usual. Other than my toes getting a bit cold, everything else was toasty.
An interesting note: Schools here had a 2 hour delay. My wife, who teaches, says that it's because they didn't want the kids to be waiting around in the cold. Obviously they didn't think this decision through:
1. Temps increased from 10 to 15 in that 2 hour period. Winds also increased causing the wind chill to be worse than earlier.
2. If parents can dress their kids for 15 degree weather, they should be able to dress them for 10 degree weather.
3. The buses have to contend with more traffic with a 2 hour delay, so the kids may have to wait at the stop longer.
I suspect the decision to delay was less about the kids and more about perception of potential liability or some such nonsense
An interesting note: Schools here had a 2 hour delay. My wife, who teaches, says that it's because they didn't want the kids to be waiting around in the cold. Obviously they didn't think this decision through:
1. Temps increased from 10 to 15 in that 2 hour period. Winds also increased causing the wind chill to be worse than earlier.
2. If parents can dress their kids for 15 degree weather, they should be able to dress them for 10 degree weather.
3. The buses have to contend with more traffic with a 2 hour delay, so the kids may have to wait at the stop longer.
I suspect the decision to delay was less about the kids and more about perception of potential liability or some such nonsense
#50
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I should have ridden today, despite the -19*F temps, it took me over an hour to dig out the driveway (again, shovelled for 2 hours twice yesterday, it just keeps drifting shut). The commute by bike is around an hour on snowy roads so I would have been to work before I got my driveway cleared.
I had to clear it so the rest of the family can get out anyway though.
I had to clear it so the rest of the family can get out anyway though.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.



