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Winter Bike to Work Day - Friday 13TH

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Winter Bike to Work Day - Friday 13TH

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Old 02-12-15 | 11:01 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by HardyWeinberg
For me Fridays are the best to ride because there's so much extra traffic that I can zip right past on the shoulder/in the bike lane. The only catch is when they edge into the bike lane to try and get a view of what's ahead.
I have too many places where people try to make turns into the bike lane until I get a little farther out of the city. I hav noticed Fridays are the worst for drivers paying any attention what so ever to their surroundings
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Old 02-12-15 | 12:06 PM
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its going to be a balmy 48 degrees during my commute on Friday Morning.
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Old 02-12-15 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by El Cid
As for safety, I actually feel more confident in the colder weather. When the snow gets hard and crunchy, I have an easier time keeping the front wheel under control. And comfort level is just a matter of perspective. I used to work on a service rig in the Alberta countryside. If it warmed up to -20C, that was a pretty nice day.
I was thinking of issues such as the effects on the extreme cold on the body--hands and feet, face, and even areas that are covered. Then theres's the possibility of getting a flat. Changing a tube at -40 would be next to impossible.
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Old 02-12-15 | 02:08 PM
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19 degrees at 7 am and 32 on the way home. I think i will drive tomorrow.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
Ain't happening here. Low of -25C and -40C wind chill at time of departure. Downright dangerous.
Dangerous if you're not dressed for it.

Wind chill doesn't matter much if your skin is covered and you have wind proof gear on. -25 C is about -13 F and I typically ride in those temps (and colder) multiple times a year. This year has been milder.

I do live in a city though and not out in the country. Even then if you have a functioning cell phone a mechanical problem is probably not life and death, - again, assuming you're dressed for it.

I've had a free wheel quit working on me in cold weather on one occasion. It wasn't even the coldest day I used it on and it happened after I stopped at a convenience store a few blocks before I got to work. It was working fine before that.

Not sure why that freewheel at that time and never any others.

Last edited by tjspiel; 02-12-15 at 04:12 PM.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:12 PM
  #31  
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-2°F in the morning, with a high of 6°F. I think I'll pass this time.

Originally Posted by downwinded
Supposed to be 16°F here. Not pleasant but doable. However it's...FRIDAY THE 13TH !!!
Another good reason not to!

Last edited by lost_in_endicot; 02-12-15 at 04:37 PM. Reason: googled how to do the ° sign.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
I noticed that it was down, too, and came here to update the thread if it hadn't already.

I think the point of it is that people like joining things, seeing their entry appear on something, and by using the site to cajole their friends into riding as well. If nothing else, it may be a trailing indicator that winter commuting is becoming more popular.
OK, so their website is up and running and I signed up. Oddly, I am the first from Potomac, MT to do so.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:29 PM
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I can't wait for my ride in tomorrow; I skipped today because I was feeling a bit lazy, and missed out on riding home in mid 80's temps. Tomorrow should be the same; time to break out the sunsreen.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:52 PM
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I ride all winter, everyday is a bike to work day for me.
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Old 02-12-15 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
Ain't happening here. Low of -25C and -40C wind chill at time of departure. Downright dangerous.
It's only dangerous if you not dressed properly...Really it's no different then going XC skiing or snowshoeing.
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Old 02-12-15 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006

My rear hub has seized up before, at -20. Just one of many concerns when riding under such extreme conditions.
I am riding fixed gear, it never freezes or seizes up.
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Old 02-12-15 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by lost_in_endicot
Reason: googled how to do the ° sign.
Pro tip: save that in a text file on your computer, and then it's easy to C&P it the next time you need it.
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Old 02-12-15 | 05:24 PM
  #38  
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degree is ° == alt 0176, someone put it in their signature so I don't have to

someone at my wife's work was incredulous that winter bike to work day would be held in February. I agree that mid-April would be better
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Old 02-12-15 | 06:40 PM
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I feel like a bit of a wimp since the forecast is cloudy with a low of 43°F and a high of 60°F! This pretty mild even by Western Oregon standards. I'm also a little surprised that only 7 people are showing in the Portland area compared with 77 in Seattle.
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Old 02-12-15 | 06:49 PM
  #40  
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Not only is it going to be too cold, I seem to have come down with a cold. I'm not even sure I'll make it to work at all tomorrow.

It's not crazy to have a winter bike-to-work day. It's a challenge. We might have gotten lucky and had uncharacteristically warm weather. Maybe we will next year. And those who manage to ride in tomorrow can impress everyone else and show us that it really can be done.
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Old 02-12-15 | 06:55 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
Dangerous if you're not dressed for it.

Wind chill doesn't matter much if your skin is covered and you have wind proof gear on. -25 C is about -13 F and I typically ride in those temps (and colder) multiple times a year. This year has been milder.
Originally Posted by wolfchild
It's only dangerous if you not dressed properly...Really it's no different then going XC skiing or snowshoeing.
I get what you're saying, but frankly this is uncharted territory for me. Not having ridden for the past two weeks I am not quite as brave.

Originally Posted by wolfchild
I am riding fixed gear, it never freezes or seizes up.
Never ridden a fixed gear bike before. It'd be interesting to try, but the idea of not having gears doesn't appeal to me much, but not having ridden one I can't say for sure I'd hate it.
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Old 02-12-15 | 07:14 PM
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I think cold weather cycling is best done when you ease into it, riding in gradually decreasing temperatures. If you've never ridden below 32ºF, don't just jump on the bike when it's 0ºF out, even if you think you're well dressed for it. I'm still learning about how to prepare for winter cycling, and I've been doing it most of my life. I'm always refining my dress. I pay close attention to what part of my body is cold and needs better coverage.

[MENTION=112025]wolfchild[/MENTION] I think cycling presents special challenges, compared with XC skiing and showshoeing. When I cycle, my legs are moving, but the rest of my body is still. I get cold!

[MENTION=381746]mcours2006[/MENTION], you really should try a fixie. It's not for everyone, but it's worth trying. They can keep you warmer than a freewheel bike since your legs are always moving. They can also give improved traction, since you have fine-grained control of your speed. But don't try it tomorrow!
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Old 02-12-15 | 08:29 PM
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I'm in, I just signed up. I have been lazy lately about riding to work. So this is just what I needed to get back in the groove!
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Old 02-13-15 | 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
Never ridden a fixed gear bike before. It'd be interesting to try, but the idea of not having gears doesn't appeal to me much, but not having ridden one I can't say for sure I'd hate it.
I created a winter bike with a fixed gear for the same reason as wolfchild mentioned -- one cold, dark winter morning the pawls froze on my geared bike and I could pedal like a demon and go nowhere. It's worth trying if you don't have to tackle any extraordinary hills and you can go the fixed gear route pretty cheaply.
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Old 02-13-15 | 06:35 AM
  #45  
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I did it, but it wasn't too excited. My goggles kept fogging so I finally took them off and I thought my eye balls were going to freeze. I was five minutes late to work due to the all the stopping time to fix the darn goggles. so this week I just skipped Wednesday, hopefully next week I get a full week of bicycle commuting.

Last edited by TroN0074; 02-13-15 at 06:47 AM.
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Old 02-13-15 | 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by TroN0074
I did it, but it wasn't too exited. My goggles kept fogging so I finally took them off and I thought my eye balls were going to freeze. I was five minutes late to work due to the all the stopping time to fix the darn goggles. so this week I just skipped Wednesday, hopefully next week I get a full week of bicycle commuting.
From Michigan! Hats off to you my friend! I was gonna do it here from NE Ohio, but even after suiting up and all I chickened out
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Old 02-13-15 | 06:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet
even after suiting up and all I chickened out
Big bummer man.
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Old 02-13-15 | 07:10 AM
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It's 8am here and it's 9°F. That's cold for NYC. Wind chill is well below 0°F.
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Old 02-13-15 | 07:21 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by noglider
@mcours2006, you really should try a fixie. It's not for everyone, but it's worth trying.
I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do with my hands.

Originally Posted by scroca
I created a winter bike with a fixed gear for the same reason as wolfchild mentioned -- one cold, dark winter morning the pawls froze on my geared bike and I could pedal like a demon and go nowhere. It's worth trying if you don't have to tackle any extraordinary hills and you can go the fixed gear route pretty cheaply.
I have a few hills on my commute that require me to go a few gears shorter than the cruising gear. I could probably tackle them without doing so, but I wouldn't enjoy it, especially after a long day at work.
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Old 02-13-15 | 07:42 AM
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I put a snowflake on the map. Oh yea! I'm a winter commuter. Though that ain't sayin' much in North Carolina.
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