Winter Bike to Work Day - Friday 13TH
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
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
#28
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.
#30
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.
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 8
From: Endicott, NY
Bikes: Electra Loft 7i, Fuji Crosstown 2.5, Gravity Liberty FB, Schwinn Voyageur
-2°F in the morning, with a high of 6°F. I think I'll pass this time.
Another good reason not to!
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.
#32
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.
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.

#33
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 13
From: So Cal
Bikes: Cimarrons 1835, 0836, 1767, 3517, 0768, 3408, a LHT, and a couple others
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.
#35
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
#36
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,701
Likes: 2,506
From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
#37
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#38
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
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
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
#39
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 457
Likes: 10
From: Central Oregon
Bikes: Redline Conquest Pro, Kona Cinder Cone, Trek Fuel EX8(RIP) Pivot Mach 5 frankenbike
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.
#40
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,640
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
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.
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.
__________________
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.
#41
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.
#42
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,640
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 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!
[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!
__________________
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.
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: St. Cloud Minnesota
Bikes: 1981 Miyata 210, 1987 Miyata 615GT, 1990 Miyata CT3000, 1993 Cannondale M300, 1994 Cannondale Killer V, 1995 Cannondale R500, 2010 Cannondale F4, 2015 Framed Minnesota 3.0
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!
#44
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.
#45
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.
#46
Thread Starter
That Huffy Guy

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 165
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
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.
#48
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,640
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
It's 8am here and it's 9°F. That's cold for NYC. Wind chill is well below 0°F.
__________________
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.
#49
@mcours2006, you really should try a fixie. It's not for everyone, but it's worth trying.

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.




