Colorado Kid

Next week, a large polar vortex is to encompass most of the country. It will bring record cold and snow in some parts of North America. If it comes to be, how many are planning to ride in this weather phenomenon?

achoo

There's this thing called "winter".

It's happened every year.

For a really long time.

bikemig 

+ 1. My studded tires were delivered today but I doubt I'll need them from the weather reports I've been seeing them.

johnlp37

Lows will be in the mid 50's here. Brrr

Sullalto

I know. I need gloves and base layers.

Mr. Hairy Legs

I don't believe in winter. I remember people talking about it last year, but I never saw anything winter-like so I assume they were just making it up.

alan s 

They're going to have to come up with a new term. "Polar vortex" was so last year, and no one cares anymore. How about "friggin cold?"

jacobinchina

I believe polar vortices used to be call cold fronts. Whatever. Pedal harder if you want to get warmer.

kickstart

LMAO.

Thank you.

tjspiel

It's going to be about 10 to 15 degrees below average. After a pretty warm September and October, I guess we are due. Things change fast in November. Within about 3 weeks, those temperatures WILL be average.

We are supposed to get some snow Monday. Though I doubt I will need it yet anyway, the forecast is forcing me to think about getting my winter bike ready just in case.

jwarner

Please send all of your unwanted snow up here. We're still dry, and I'm jonesing for some ski and fat bike time.

TransitBiker

Bike in shop, not sure how long, as they are rebuilding wheel with brand new set of spokes they had to order. I ride year round. Yes, last time it was interesting in the -5 weather to see my 100% phone battery last 25 minutes, the fog on my glasses freeze, and the grippy rubber on my crocs become hard as rock. One day it was 55 overnight till 11 am then as soon as 11 rolled around, it sank 57 degrees to -3 by 8 pm. The polar vortex is not a "weather channel term". It's actually a phenomenon where the Arctic jet stream gets a loop in it poking South. This dumps frigid Arctic air into areas normally moderated by the Gulf Stream & warm air off the Gulf of Mexico that move north.

I'm ready for any winter weather aside from ice or deep snow down to about -10. After that I'm not sure how my hub will work plus the electric grid did not like the cold & we had frequent sporadic voltage dips that made the lights dim etc. if there's no power I gotta be home to tend the kerosene heaters.

- Andy

achoo

Of course, just a few weeks ago there was this:

Feds: Don't expect winter to be polar vortex redux

JohnJ80

LOL. The highs here will be in the low 30's. The 50's are full on summer riding here. In the 30's though, the Bar Mitts do come out.

I'll be skiing in maybe a week and that will consume my time (4x per week) until almost April. I need to get in just one more ride to hit my PB record for mileage in a year.

J.

JohnJ80

That's what they are saying but those predictions have a very wide tolerance on them - something like 60% certainty at best.

The polar ice cap is at levels well ahead of last year and has been all summer. The Great Lakes are 3-6 degrees below average in temp and are likely to freeze over again this year thereby keeping the temp low. So for the upper Midwest, I think we're not likely to have a warm winter by any stretch.

J.

alan s 

First it was Global Warming. Now it's Climate Change. Next thing it's going to be Global Cooling. Don't forget about the named winter storms. The marketing folks have to get your attention somehow. It's just a branding strategy to get more viewers and greater advertising revenue. Call it what you like, but the Polar Vortex is just cold air.

CrankyOne

6" of snow predicted for Monday and highs in the twenties all week. If that's still the prediction Sunday afternoon I'll be putting the studs on my Opafiets. My city, Shoreview MN, has said that they're hoping to do a better job of keeping the paths bare asphalt than last year when slushy foot and tire prints got frozen in making them quite dangerous for several weeks.

no motor?

I plan on getting the snowblower ready this weekend. I hope that's not like washing the car and then having it rain.

bconneraz

riding in crappy conditions only sucks if you're not prepared for it.........said the guy from Southern California.....lol. Bundle up out there!

Walter S

I've yet to turn down a paycheck because it's cold outside.

Walter S

Don't waste too many synapses following weather predictions. Prepare for cold. That's what winter is. When it comes trust that you'll know that without being told.

wolfchild

Another polar vortex ?? OMG ....The end is near.

Corben

Growing up in BadAss Montana during the 60's and 70's and into the 80's we use to call these blasts from the north The Siberian Express. Global Climate Alarmist preferr calling them Polar Vortex. It sounds more serious and deadly and I suppose they're right because of the Solar Minimum the sun is going through right now, winters will become more severe and the polar air effects more of the planet. Every eleven yrs the sun goes through these solar minimums. I can't recall how long they usually last but the current is lasting longer then it ever has since the observation of sun spots began hundreds of years ago. Except once. And that was during the mini ice age. Russian climatologist are warning us this is what is occurring right now and will last at least a few decades. Some scientist are betting our that our 4% of co2 we contribute to the atmosphere may make it less severe. There's also growing support for this natural recurring change in the climate within the ranks of US climatologist but totally ignored by the IPCC and the MSM. No surprise there. If its true they'll all look like idiots.
I stumbled onto this real inconvenient truth when I dragged out my old telescope and found my notes on sun spots along with some sketches I drew up of sun spots. There were large islands of sunspots scattered all over the sun. Grabbing the sun filter and my grandson we went outside and pointed the filter at the sun and...WTF?
Where are all the sunspots? Not one. So I googled it and learned all about the solar minimum and the mini ice age right here on the Internet. And the evidence is right there up in the sky for everyone to see.
Oh. Almost forgot to mention what tree rings showed in Calf during the period of the MiniIce Age. A drought. A long dry drought. Good times!
And check out this 2006 Russian prediction if you have time. https://en.ria.ru/russia/20060825/53143686.html. I should warn you if you're a devout Alarmist you may not want to venture any further. it may mess with your belief in the Almighty and Infallible IPCC.

tsl

I doubt my boss will buy it if I call in and say, "I can't come to work because of the polar vortex." And I've scheduled all my vacation time for the year already.

So I guess I'll have to go to work. Since walking or taking the bus takes far too long, and is incredibly boring, I guess I'll ride a bike.

Like every other winter day.

tsl

Around here they were called a "cold snap".