How many ride all winter?
#76
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
I've been living in Hawaii for 25 years but I will be retiring to the lakes region of New Hampshire in a few years. I used to live in Minnesota and bicycled all year round but that was a long time ago, I'll just have to see how it goes this time around ... at least I won't have to ride to work in it. However, I am looking forward to cross country skiing and snow shoeing again. I'm also looking forward to a time of year when there are no mosquitoes.
#77
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Yep! Another Floridian with year round cycling.
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HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#79
Council of the Elders
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 3
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Crosscut, 5 Lemonds
Sometimes it is just too damned cold and icy and not worth the risk. The serious cold can kill you if you crash or flat in an out of the way place. Ill take the trainer or spin bike when it is that bad. YMMV
#80
... part of the machine.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
Bikes: '15 Raleigh Willard 2, '14 Lynskey Sportive, '10 Lynskey R230, '?? Burley Duet Tandem, various others in various states of mobility.
I ride year round here in Central Jersey ... except during snow and ice storms. Don't like cold rain either. Will use mountain bike on messy roads, if roads have been plowed.
Layer the wardrobe, and go ...
Layer the wardrobe, and go ...
#81
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
It generally does not go below 0 F around here. I ride on the snow and on the ice as much as possible every winter. Been doing it on bicycles since 1995, and motorcycles about 1970 or so. Studded tires make the ice easy. I'm usually within walking distance of a house, or a road. When one learns how to ride on slippery surfaces and what gear to bring it's not difficult. Not really a big deal. Frozen swamps and lakes are great to ride on, if you know it's safe, if you use the buddy system, and make sure your cell phone has a signal before riding on them.
Another bike in the snow, this one with studded tires. The last bike posted stays no studs.
Another bike in the snow, this one with studded tires. The last bike posted stays no studs.
#83
#84
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,670
Likes: 2,416
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
I commute year round. In my 30's with a 6 mile commute my limit was 10-degrees, no ice. But snow was okay with my knobby tires. While I have still not fallen while in motion (two pedal dismount fails in 20 years) I had two close calls four or five winters ago where I hit ice and slid, One I recovered, One I fell but softly. After switching to road tires, I now avoid snow as well as ice. My low temp limit crept up to 23-degrees (why 23 and not 25, I don't know). But now with better info on how to dress (Thanks, Bike Forums!) I am toying with pushing the low temp lower again. However, now in my 50's I am afraid I won't heal as fast should I fall, and I also feel I may be more fragile than before, although I don't really know that.
#85
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Bikes: A slate grey mountain bike & a grey road bike
If the conditions are right - frozen ground, ice, or packed snow - I'll put the studded tires on and mountain bike. I don't road ride if it's too cold (wind chill & ice on the roads) or if there is snow, but mtbing is great in the winter.
#86
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
Yes, I ride year round and commute to work also. I ride in down to 0degF and then if its colder than that, I may just do recreational rides on weekends and skip the commuting. My commute is fairly long. I spend 3 hours per day on the bike so it really needs to be above 0 for me. Being well equipped for the severe conditions is a must. Studded tires, fenders, lights, proper clothing etc. Hardcore or crazy or both, not sure.
#87
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,973
Likes: 1,397
From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
SW FL. here and not anal about riding every day even though the weather pretty much allows it. I have no overwhelming need to "make it so". Even miss a whole week some times.
#88
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 97
From: South Hutchinson Island
Bikes: Lectric Xpedition.
Sometimes ya get lucky, that's all.
Have a half day off and it hit mid-60's. Heck yeah, I rode. Just got back.
Tomorrow, the Ice Age returns and will be here for at least ten days. Bummer, to the basement for me.
Have a half day off and it hit mid-60's. Heck yeah, I rode. Just got back.
Tomorrow, the Ice Age returns and will be here for at least ten days. Bummer, to the basement for me.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#89
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 247
Likes: 3
From: San Antonio, Texas
I ride all year long living in south central Texas. We don't have a winter if you consider the few days of cold weather we have to endure. We pay for it in the long hot summers we have down here where temps reach into the 100's for weeks and weeks. Early morning rides beat the heat though, but my favorite time to ride is after October first, and all the way until about June when the heat goes up.
#90
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
#92
Creamy pack filling
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 710
Likes: 3
From: Nine Mile Falls, WA
Bikes: Trek 8000, Co-Motion tandem, Co-motion Espresso, Yeti Cross, 9Zero7 Fat Bike
#93
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Last edited by BluesDawg; 12-05-13 at 10:01 PM.
#94
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Thanks
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#95
Do not listen to the weather forecasts. Go outside and see how it feels to you. Listening to today's forecasts, you would think the apocalypse was coming. It didn't feel too bad to me. I went and rode singletrack for a couple of hours. Pretty much out of the wind. It was excellent.
#96
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
#97
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,286
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#98
Other Worldly Member


Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 139
From: The old Northwest Coast.
Bikes: 1973 Motobecane Grand Jubilee, 1981 Centurion Super LeMans, 2010 Gary Fisher Wahoo, 2003 Colnago Dream Lux, 2014 Giant Defy 1, 2015 Framed Bikes Minnesota 3.0, several older family Treks
High twenties about my limit. Wind over 15 and driving rain as well. Other wise...all winter. Sure looking forward to passing the winter solstice as these short days are a PITA.
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Make ******* Grate Cheese Again
Make ******* Grate Cheese Again
#99
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,037
Likes: 12
From: Eugene, Oregon
We don't have what most folks would call winter here. Sure, we'll have a touch of snow this week and a few days of single-digits and I'll do a lot of walking until the water becomes civilized and returns to liquid form, but that's a once per year thing. Winter is short hours of gray skies before they turn dark and plenty of rain. That's all fine riding in my book. It's not as nice as 110F, but it's so much better than frozen water that I can't complain.
Those of you riding on ice/snow: you're hard core. I'm in awe.
Those of you riding on ice/snow: you're hard core. I'm in awe.
#100
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,940
Likes: 363
Do not listen to the weather forecasts. Go outside and see how it feels to you. Listening to today's forecasts, you would think the apocalypse was coming. It didn't feel too bad to me. I went and rode singletrack for a couple of hours. Pretty much out of the wind. It was excellent.
Bill
Last edited by qcpmsame; 12-06-13 at 09:29 AM.






