tarwheel 

Tell me about it! I slid out on an icy wooden bridge a few weeks ago. I was riding very slow due to the conditions, but still lost it on a 90-degree turn. Fortunately there was no harm other than my bruised ego.

Our mild winter is about to come to an end this week. Today was a very pleasant 40-something degrees and dry, but a series of cold fronts should lead to low temps in the teens by Thursday and Friday. I can handle that, but I'm sick of all the rain, fog, mist, etc. that we've been having lately.

Hypno Toad

First commute of 2015 and first fatbike commute: -12F and all smiles.

RidingMatthew

i rode 1/2/15 and it was a great ride both ways. warmer than usual! I was pretty close to summer speed. it is amazing how fast i feel without all the layers. I rode this morning and hit strong headwind in town. I am concerned about the weather for the rest of the week.

KCBikeCommuter

New cold weather riding temperature for me. (9F/-12C). I had one altercation, which happened on Heart of America Bridge over the Missouri River. I've had a few flats on this section in the past, but not this time. The roads were fine for a majority of my 20-mile commute, but this bike path over the bridge had quite a bit of ice. I was being careful, and made it almost all the way across before my front tire slid out (still not sure how it happened since I was going straight), and I side-swiped the concrete barrier on my right. No real damage except for a scrape on my knee and my pride. Otherwise it was a good ride to work.

arsprod 

The first commute of each year seems to memorably crappy and today was no different. 5F with -12F wind chill. It snowed yesterday and fortunately the roads and paths were clear. Unfortunately they were clear because of the wind which seemed particularly evil. I put on my front studded tire/wheel last night, too lazy to do the rear but might have to tonight - forecast is for 3-5 inches and more ice.

Hypno Toad

Last April we had a wet snow that melted most places on the ground, but it was slushy snow on a wooden bridge deck near my house. I was riding too fast, bike slide out sideways, thought I was gonna recover .... but, just as the bridge ended and the tires connected with pavement (& traction). I got thrown high-side, tacoed my rear wheel and got a nice bruise on my hip. I am A LOT more careful on wooden bridged decks now.

spivonious

I chickened out this morning when I saw gusts up to 50mph. That's not a head/cross wind I enjoy, especially with heavy traffic moving 2-3x my speed.

They're calling for a few inches of snow overnight and into tomorrow. Then the temperature drops down to 6F overnight Wednesday. Hopefully I can get a ride or two in this week.

joeyduck

First real commute of the year for me. I also got to do the day care run.

I tried to get everything laid out and ready. But I had to scramble and find my headband. I usually do all home chores and put all my bike stuff in the same drawer. But my wife kindly folded the laundry and things were everywhere. It didn't help we got a new bed for the boy and moved dressers which he and I had originally shared. So things are everywhere.

I did take off my studded tires since there was no risk of freezing. It was pouring outside and my headlamp died. But even thelittle bike work cheers me up so much.

It was a nice slow ride to my son's daycare. It was raining pretty hard and my glasses were giving me some fogging issues.

Overall it was a pretty wet ride but not to bad. Just nice to get back in the groove.

There was a guy in front of me who went on a different street and then reentered the path behind me by blowing his stop sign causing the guy going the other way to yell and grab a few handfuls of brakes. Poor fellow probably got his heart rate and adrenal gland pumping more than expected.

Mr. Hairy Legs

Today was laugh-out-loud awesome. Constant rain, and traffic was horrendous with crasholas everywhere. I rode through a couple humongous lakes that soaked me almost to the knees. Ahh, I'm 11 again...

noglider 

The high for today was in the night, and the temps dropped throughout the day. On the way in it was 37°F, and it was 30° on the way home. Winds were gusty and shifty. Sometimes I was riding into the wind, and it was stiff and cold. My feet got cold. I feel like I deserve a medal, and I'm not saying I regretted doing it. My commute is right along the Hudson River, which is a mile wide. The water crashed against the rocks right near me. I can't tell you what a windy place this is.

We're due for an inch of snow tomorrow, and I have rehearsal in the evening, so I'll be taking the subway. Maybe I'll ride again this week.

Great attitude, @Mr. Hairy Legs. I think you suffered more than I did.

Oh, in the morning, someone cycling in the oncoming direction looked at me and mouthed "F*ck you!" right at me. I will never know why. People are weird.

herzogone

Much like noglider, my commute was warmer in the morning (30s F) and about 17 F for the ride home. I managed to overdress for both trips, despite the wind gusts of 50 mph and subzero windchills. Not the coldest I've ridden, but probably the windiest. I had been concerned about the ice, but fortunately things were mostly well sanded/salted and the ice patches were mostly avoidable. Overall, my commute was better than I expected aside from reaffirming my hatred of headwinds.

RyeRey521

Herzogone, yesterday's commute for me was similar. It was significantly colder and windier on the way home. Overdressed for the ride in, but ended up perfect for the commute home.

Today's commute in had snow coming down, and actually not melting when it hit the road for the first time of the year. Rode the MTB so spinny and slow compared to normal.

mgw4jc

My ride home yesterday was quite nice (especially compared to previous posts). 50F and I wore shorts and a long sleeve top. It stayed light enough that I didn't turn my headlight on until the last 3 miles.

Much colder this morning though: 26F. But it is again supposed to warm up to 50 this afternoon.

For Christmas I got some DeFeet merino wool socks and neoprene toe covers for my shoes. Those definitely helped keep my toes warmer on the way in this morning.

tarwheel 

Great commute this morning with temps in the mid-20s, clear skies and no wind. This is shaping up to be the coldest week we've had in a very long time. Today will be the warm day with afternoon highs in the low 50s, but then the really cold air is supposed to start filtering in.

RidingMatthew

a good ride home yesterday. I think the temps or at least the real feel was about the same. I was feeling good so I rode a little extra. I saw at least 15 people throughout the ride wearing dark clothes and basically being a ninja. (standing alongside the street, walking, two guys wearing all black riding a bike the other direction, some kid running down the side of the road in a black sweatshirt) i could barely see them all. I am sure cars would have the same trouble. it was very abnormal for my ride home. I was not able to ride today and with the cold coming I think I will be hitting them gym the rest of the week. Wife already asked for me to drive Thursday when the super cold hits.

dramiscram

First commute of 2015. Cold -20°c, sunny, no Wind. Great ride.
Very icy, I decided to walk the bike at some point where the traffic is heavier, I didn't want to slip in front of a car...

bigredkevbot

Yesterday I rode 10 miles through Dorcester into Boston, and I thought my toes were gonna freeze off. Note to self: buy thicker SmartWool socks for this winter. But the worst was the 5 miles home; I was standing up and pedaling, but the wind tunnels in the city were so bad that I got pushed backwards. They said gusts up to 50 mph and I believe it!

spivonious

Took an extra 15 minutes to drive in this morning with everyone going slow in the snow. It made me wish for a mountain bike.

greg3rd48 

The snow was dusting the streets when I rode into work this morning. It was around 30 degrees with a slight wind. I made it up the 400 feet of hills quickly but I definitely took it easy on the busier roads since people tend to drive like fools once there is a bit of precipitation. It took five minutes longer than usual. The ride home should be a little slower also as I will not be flying down the hills.

arsprod 

Well that just sucked... 15F with about 5 inches of snow. The first 3 miles of trail wasn't plowed. Fortunately, it was fresh powder so rideable but felt like riding with the brakes on. Took as long to do that first 3 miles as the last 8 (which were plowed). Forecast is for subzero temps tonight and the next few days - may be taking the bus home tonight!

Zap Hassellhoff

Decent ride this morning. Upper 30s with 70 percent humidity. First commute in about a month. Felt slow but great to be back on the bike. I turn 38 at the end of the month. Am I getting old?

Props to all of you northern riders. Even at its worst, weather in Sacramento is pretty mellow by comparison.

joeyduck

It was a nice ride this morning. Felt better after having greasing my chain. Knowing I have a new one coming had made me negligent in the rain.

I missed all the rain last night that @Mr. Hairy Legs had fun with. Those are the fun days.

The traffic was snarled pretty bad this morning. I was happy to be able to bypass it pretty easily and that make me so happy to not drive.

I did forget to fill the car up for the misses this weekend, so she'll have to remember to do it.

Biking makes me happy.

Oh yeah it was down right hot this morning. I registered an 11°C when I got to work.

PatrickGSR94

woohoo first commute of 2015 today! My first ride of the year was to the grocery store on the utility bike on Sunday. About 28 degrees this morning, clear, not much wind to speak of. Wore my thinner balaclava (not my newer ultra-clava) but did use my new ski mask. It was kind of pointless as I ended up uncovering my nose and mouth for most of the way anyway.

The road through one neighborhood I cut through is now officially closed permanently, so now I have to take a slightly different route that adds 1/2 mile for a total of 16 miles going to work. Kinda sucks, but oh well such is life. There is another route that is 0.2 miles shorter than my original route, but it's much higher traffic volume and much more stressful. Oh well.

HydroG33r 

Was a bit worried I'd be huffing and puffing today; first ride since December 18 before xmas holidays... after I got home that day I stripped the bike down for a good thorough cleaning, and didn't get around to putting it back together until yesterday so riding on the break wasn't a viable option. That said, I was doing a fair bit of running and body resistance workouts in my basement gym... I'm always amazed at how much that cross-training helps! My legs felt Herculean this morning!

KCBikeCommuter

Ahhh... the joys of riding in the white stuff. Although for me it hasn't been snow so much as salt. The streets have been dry the last couple of days, but eerily 'white' in color from all the salt. I think they were expecting more snow than we received a few days ago, so really overdid it. It makes a mess on the bike, but like I said... at least the streets have been dry.