stapfam

Time to dig out the wet lube- the waterproof clothes and the Ski mask.

Always have trouble finding the Ski mask when I need it so found that today. Waterproof socks though and I am getting worried. I had two half pairs last year but found the other half of one pair last year when I decorated the bedroom. Slipped under a chest of drawers and apart from the cobwebs- were fine. Problem is I know I had them and I thought they went in the drawer with the "Spare" cycling clothing. Either the sock fairy has struck again- or the dog has eaten them.

Wet weather hit the UK in a big way down South today and it was needed. Problem is that it looks to have set in so better get ready now. I have a selection of top coats ranging from showerproof to the Goretex so that is not a problem. It is the warm jerseys to put under the waterproofs that I am lacking in. Looks like a trip to London to buy more is going to be needed. Don't buy online as clothing is something that has to fit properly.

Bike and I sorted the winter wheels today with the Lithions fitted. Made certain that all bikes can take these wheels and only one bike had to have a longer chain due to the 12/30 cassette being used for the winter. Hills won't be any steeper or longer but I do expect to find stronger headwinds. In the main the bike I will be using will be the Pinnie so all cables lubricated- grease on the seatpost and pedal spindles regreased. Going by last winter when I didn't get out much and paid for it by not being fit in the spring- I intend to get out as much as possible this winter.

So trying to appease the rain god this year by being ready for him.

RonH

It was 90F just last week. I for one am not looking forward to whats coming. I don't do cold temps.

BikeWNC

It was 45º at the start of our ride this morning. I couldn't find but one knee warmer before I left the house. Neal had an extra pair I could borrow. I might have been a bit chilly without them but I've had a sore knee lately from hiking and it was better to keep the joints warm. Love the temps today. 45-60º during the ride is perfect!

bjjoondo 

Your right, it was 85 F here BUT, there was a "chilly wind" blowing around the leaves as we rode today. I now have all the "cold gear" packed in the rack bags as here at 6,000 ft. in altitude any suddenly blown in cold front can change a warm day into a COLD day very quickly! I need to hit the Powerball Loto so we can have a winter condo in southern AZ. I'm a Colorado Native but I really dislike COLD!

Bikey Mikey

It's predicted to be around 52ºF around the time I ride tomorrow morning, but often it ends up being a tad cooler than the guess. I'm figuring it may be down to 49º, but I'm prepared.

The coldest I've ever ridden is 22ºF with a wind chill of 12ºF. I may look into getting some hand/foot warmers for really cold days, even though I'll wear one or two layers of wool socks, since I'm riding for more than 1½ hours, often 2 to 2½ hours.

gcottay

Best wishes to all from Southern Arizona where our admiration for the toughness and dedication of cold weather riders comes without any desire for emulation.

Mobile 155

Stapfam, I still have time. it will be in the 90s all next week. I have a Century the week after and I expect the weather to be about the same. I don't expect much of a break till November. I hardly ever ride in the rain so I only have to worry about cold for a few weeks a year. Medium weight base layers, shoe toe covers, long finger gloves, Belaclava and a wind breaker and I am good to go. If it does happen to drop to freezing I stay home till it warms up. Winter riding to me means changing from Vittora Pro slicks to Gatorskins and more time on the Klein.

BikeWNC

I'd rather ride in cold weather than heat any day of my life. In fact, once our daughter goes off to college I expect to find myself spending summers somewhere very far north. To each his own.

Mobile 155

+1 I thought the best cold weather cycling gear was a plane ticket south and west. I have moved from places that get snow to places where you can go visit snow.

Have you ever noticed that any description of paradise never includes ice and snow? Unless the ice is crushed in a drink with an umbrella?

Last year when Bicycling Magazine listed Minneapolis as one of the top rated bike friendly cities I thought they were nuts. And then they started the story off by talking about a class on thawing out your bottom bracket so you could commute in the snow and I knew they were nuts. (Hyperbole intended)

Dudelsack 

Ain't it the truth.

It was 65 out this afternoon on my ride. I thought I was going to freeze to death. I spent months acclimating to the heat, to the point that 90 felt balmy. It's not fair.

cranky old dude

Did a few sub 50 degree commutes already this month. No problem yet with shorts, my fleece with light cycling jacket over it, fingers and ears covered.

I heard that they had a measurable snowfall the other day in Minnisota....a summer snowstorm!!

Mobile 155

We do have one desert Rat that lives by us and used to have a place on Phoenix. He stops riding with our group in the winter, normally by November 1 and we don't see him again until spring or when it gets over 63 degrees. That is right if it is 61 he stays home. I asked him if somehow he got a blood transfusion from a Lizzard by mistake.

PaulH

Thanks! That's also how I feel about Arizona riders.

volosong

I am so looking forward to winter. It seems to have been endless day of over 100ºF temperatures this summer. This weekend it has cooled off a bit to 95ºF. It only rains about two and a half days a year here in the desert, so that's not a concern.

miss kenton

I didn't feel winter coming today as I rode. I did 30 miles with my sister. It was about 72 degrees, clear and sunny. People's homes are decorated for Autumn with mums and pumpkins. We took a leisurely ride and stopped for coffee along the way. Earlier this week I bought a new pair of Terry bike shorts and a new saddle for my bike. The new shorts and a few adjustments to the saddle made the 30 miles fly pleasurably by. My sister has decided she wants to buy a road bike, so our rides will only get better than they already are as she will be better able to keep pace with me.

I decided today that my favorite month for riding is September. Nice weather, the leaves starting to change, the MS ride, and of course--the Pie ride.

DaveWC

It was 27F when I rolled out this morning. I've done two rides indoors on the rollers already but I'm determined to keep riding outside at least until the end of the month. Once I start indoors for good I don't mind it. I have good shows taped and good music and limit my rides to about an hour. In a few years when my son hits university age we'll start heading to AZ for 3 months in the winter.

Doug64

My wife and I are in the third week of a loop around Michigan. I know winter is coming! We have worn rain gear almost everyday. We are presently experiencing lows in the high 30's with a lot of wind and showers. However, It has warmed up to the 40's and low 50's, so it is not too bad. It is going to get warmer next week. We are well prepared, but it still gets a little uncomfortable at times. We had planned on doing a lot of camping, but we've wimped out, and are spending a lot more nights in motels.

It has still been a great tour, and hopefully it will warm up for the next 2 weeks, The hardwood trees are just beginning to show some color

NOS88

I have friends who ski and love it as much as I do cycling. Most would argue this. Well, maybe not the ice part, but they sure are eager for snow and hate to see it go. Personally, I don't get it. Nor, have I ever thought those who say, "Oh, I wouldn't want to live someplace that was warm all of the time. I like having the four seasons" was anything more than a form of delusional denial.

Stapfam, had to get my warmer gear out too. This morning's commute to work starts with the temp at 6 C. Thing I can't locate yet is where I've put the light weight goretex gloves.

cranky old dude

39F during the commute home this morning.

John_V 

All this talk about cold weather is making me want to change out of my shorts and tee shirt.

Bikey Mikey

I couldn't ride sub 50 without leg warmers or fleece tights. I usually start wearing the leg warmers once it gets below 60ºF.

ThatBritBloke

My own little private metric century started in the 50s/10-15C yesterday. The day eventually ended up about 70F/21C, but the constant breeze still felt pretty cool under the shade of the trees. I think it was the last day for shorts. Arm-warmers and WindStopper underlayer worked well tho'.

bent4me

I just returned from a 2 week vacation in the South. I put on my usual shorts and tank top only to find temps in the 50's. I had to change into my knickers, full cut T-shirt and light jacket. I will miss summer but do enjoy the colors of Fall.

wobblyoldgeezer

Yup, cooler here too. Down to 40 degrees today. (Centigrade!)

Warm base layers - do you have Cotswold or Timberland in Eastbourne or Brighton? I'm sure you do. Both do Smartwool and Cashmere/Merino base layers, and I've loved them for cold weather wicking. Cosy insulation, without damp or bulk

(O/T, we're still making offers on accom in Sussex. Your post makes me re-think! Enjoy Nature's changes)

stapfam

Sussex weather for the year. After two years of low rain fall- summer came in April and May. High temps and no rain so official drought conditions were in force. June July and August were the wettest on record and officially the wettest summer since 1912. September had a couple of good weeks and it finished on Sunday. 3" of rain in 24 hours and luckily it was a constant rain with no storms so no flooding- It soaked into the parched soil that had occurred in the first 3 weeks of the month. High winds (50MPH) forecast for a few days along with more rain and next weekend looks fine.

That gulf stream has a lot to answer for.

Going on past years- I think it will be waterproofs and wind proofs that are required this winter. Can just layer up for cold and I do have a couple of cycling fleeces that will act as one layer. Base layer and the Long sleeve warm one has already seen use this year. In fact only a couple of rides done with just short sleeves so I should be ready for the cold when it hits. Currently 61 degF but a 30 mph wind. Don't think I will be on the club ride this evening.