stonefree

Close but not exactly true. Pneumonia is a bacterial infection that sets in when immune system resources are low. Cold weather uses up immune system resources, in unhealthy people.

A "cold" (called that because why) is a virus caught from others that sets in when immune system resources are low also. Same with the flu.

Now you can talk about what makes immune system resources low, which is a much larger topic, that can also happen in hot weather, but just not as likely.

Jim from Boston

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply. Those prodromal symptoms I described actually seem to have nothing to do with riding but are a reaction to drastic temperature changes, and keep me off the bike for one to a few days. My main ill side effects specifically related to cold weather riding are the sleepiness, and cold-induced diuresis. Proper dress mitigates the effects of the cold per se.

FYA, I just posted to the Winter Forum about some new gear I hope to try out for a predicted single digit ride tomorrow. The Fifty-Plus crown might appreciate a 1970's reference I cited:

Speaking of the good old days, I’m impressed with your slide-rule inspired avatar. I used a slide-rule in High School, and got a reputation for it, particularly in physics class. One of my classmates wrote in my yearbook (from a Catholic High School), “God Bless Your Slide Rule."

Jim

Jim from Boston

Besides not riding the bike, another bad effect is that I crave and seek out yummy comfort food, and it becomes hard to resume my healthy training diet.

For me, rest is the best remedy, and I then readily adapt to the cold temperatures when I resume riding.

stonefree

This works.

trackhub

At 55 years, I do find the cold bothers me more than it used to. Solution: Ride when it is in the 30s, or even high 20s, but keep the rides shorter. Don't forget to hydrate, as the body does need this, even in the cold.

One thing I have heard about: During the nice, sunny summer months, the body produces the hormone Serotonin, so you want to go out and do stuff. But, during the dark days, when you go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark, the body produces more Melatonin, which makes you want to go to bed and just stay there.

Anyone know anything about this? I really think bears are the smartest of all. They sleep all winter. Shame they can't teach us that trick.

qcpmsame 

Thanks, I learned it from my dad, a master land surveyor, in the late 60's and used it all through high school, especially physics and Trig classes. I had a guy that received one of the very first HP scientific calculators and he gave me fits about how easy he had it with the whizz-bang. During our final exam his battery lost its charge. The instructor called me out of the class and asked if David could borrow my slide rule to do his exam (I was finished and had listened to him cuss and bang the calculator on his desk, while smiling). It was sweet revenge!

I collect them now and have ~25 rules at home, most in the neat leather cases, and numerous vintage manuals for them. Oh yeah, I use an HP-48G (RPN/Graphics)for everyday work now, hasn't lost a charge or battery during use yet! But neither has a slide rule which I still use to keep my hand in.

Bill

Jim from Boston

Hi Bill

Thanks for the reply. My slide rule was a cheapo wooden one, but at least it did not warp. Around 1974-76 I worked in a lab at the University of Michigan that had Wang calculators chained to the desk.

Jim

wphamilton

In years past and as a young man, yes. From my late 40's on I haven't had that issue, knock on wood.

With me I think it had to do with allergic reactions and nasal congestion leading to sinus infections. Combined with too many years of smoking.

Dudelsack

In spite of knowing it's not supposed to help, I went on a ZPak last night and feel better today. Coincidence? Perhaps.

Now the question is how long one should wait before venturing out again. Friday is supposed to be pretty decent, so I might go out for a 12 miler.

trackhub

Dudes, why didn't you say so?


Pickett1 by a glass darkly2008, on Flickr

I thought I was the only slide rule fan here. While most HS students in the early 70s went for the inexpensive student Picketts, I wanted a damn good one.
I think this one cost me $28.95. A lot, back then. Now, how many calculators have been used and tossed in the landfill in this time? And this Slide Rule
just keeps going and going...

Heh, Wang calculators chained to the desks. Hilarious!

Bikey Mikey

In high school, 1976, I was taking Chemistry. The teacher required us to have and use a slide rule. He forbid the use of calculators during tests--maybe even quizzes(if memory serves). He explained that not everyone at that time could afford a calculator, batteries can die, and you may not have a calculator in the field(at that time in history). I've never had to use a slide rule since, but I'm glad I learned how.

trackhub

Thinkgeek.com is selling new, made-in-china slide rules that are fairly good copies of the plastic student pickett model. Even the box is similar. Not sure of the quality though.
Probably nothing great.

But, showing one to a typical 20-something today will only result in the deer-in-headlights look. They won't know what it is, and they won't be interested.
If you find one that is interested, says "Oh, this is cool" and actually starts learning to use it, well, that is someone I would hire.

Sorry, just ranting a little there.

qcpmsame 

Other than my grandfather's rules I inherited, when he passed away (a physics and mathematics professor,) I got all of my collection from ebay auctions. Try Walter Shewlett's website, https://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/sruniverse.html The Slide Rule Universe, for many slide rules and parts, books and manuals. the Oughtread Society is the international organization for slide rules.

I got a true bamboo K&E log-log decitrig, 4081, from my dad for my 18th birthday, my choice. It was so sweet and was stolen from my locker.

End of hijack. Sorry

Jim from Boston

Don't apologize; I started it.

PS to trackhub: Nice picture. I can just feel how well it must be to handle; mine was a wooden cheap one, and I think the slide action was sticky.

I note you are in Boston for a bowl of chowdah. I commute year round from Kenmore Square to Norwood, and train all around the town. (Sorry for the second hijack. )

wphamilton

I used to buff and wax my nice scientific Picket, and used high-grade machine oil on my metal speed-rule. More maintenance than I do on my bikes now that I think about it.

qcpmsame 

I have a few nice Pickett rules. The hi visibility yellow are good conversation starters for neophytes. They called it an ES for eye saver. I have a rule that was my grandfather's that is made from titanium. I haven't seen a CF rule yet

Bill

trackhub

I think you may have mentioned this before, when I posted a picture I snapped of the Hubway bike station in Kenmore Square.

Wow, Kenmore Square to Norwood. You have my respect. You are one of a few I know of who have the "Stones" to commute in the winter. I'm assuming you don't ride on Route 1.

Jim from Boston

Hi trackhub,

Thanks for the reply; see my PM response.

Jim