How does your winter weather look?
10-16-15 | 02:36 PM
#1
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Sophomoric Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,192
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From: Dancing in Lansing
How does your winter weather look?
As cyclists and carfree travellers, I think we're more interested in weather forecasting than some folks. Although no long-term forecast is totally accurate, it's nice to have some idea lf what the next season will bring.
How does your winter weather look? Are you doing anything to prepare for it?
[HR][/HR]Here are three sources for winter seasonal forecasts in the USA. (If anybody knows of others, please post)This one explains some of the climate factors affecting the forecasts:[HR][/HR]
For me, in Michigan, the two "scientific" forecasts predict a warmer and drier winter is most likely. The "non-scientific" Farmers Almanac says it will be colder here. I'm going to buy a pair of winter boots, just to be on the safe side.
How does your winter weather look? Are you doing anything to prepare for it?
[HR][/HR]Here are three sources for winter seasonal forecasts in the USA. (If anybody knows of others, please post)This one explains some of the climate factors affecting the forecasts:[HR][/HR]
For me, in Michigan, the two "scientific" forecasts predict a warmer and drier winter is most likely. The "non-scientific" Farmers Almanac says it will be colder here. I'm going to buy a pair of winter boots, just to be on the safe side.
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10-16-15 | 03:05 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
I lost faith in long range weather forecasting. It's almost like trying to predict future events by looking in a crystal ball. Mother nature is full of last minute surprises. The last big ice storm we had, hit us unexpectedly and most people failed to be prepared for it. I just take it few days at a time, I check my daily forecast and make sure I am prepared for whatever is supposed to happen on that day. During winter commuting I always carry some extra clothing and extra gloves just in case.
10-16-15 | 03:07 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,782
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From: Atlanta, GA. USA
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Disc Trucker
When it starts turning cold I get out my cold weather gear and make sure I've got it all in order. Then I care little about seasonal forecasts or weekly for that matter. I check the conditions and today's forecast before I leave the house. I use the WeatherBug for that which is a quick look at radar and today's weather. Then dress and pack accordingly.
10-16-15 | 04:37 PM
#4
"Florida Man"
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: East Florida
Bikes: '16 Bob Jackson rando, '66 Raleigh Superbe, 80 Nishiki Maxima, 07 Gary Fisher Utopia, 09 Surly LHT
I am walking my dog right now. It is room temperature out here. It figures to be dry, sunny, and between fiddy and eighty until easter.
It's a boiling swamp for four months a year, but pretty much perfect these next eight.
It's a boiling swamp for four months a year, but pretty much perfect these next eight.
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10-16-15 | 04:41 PM
#5
Padawan
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 838
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From: Oklahoma
Bikes: Orbea Mitis Dama, Bridgestone Sirius, Cranbrook Cruiser, Cheap Mountain Bike
We just had a high of 91 degrees.
Long term forecasting in Oklahoma is maybe a few hours in advance because it changes so frequently. That's why we stand on the porch to see if we actually need to take cover during tornado season.
Long term forecasting in Oklahoma is maybe a few hours in advance because it changes so frequently. That's why we stand on the porch to see if we actually need to take cover during tornado season.
10-16-15 | 05:14 PM
#6
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,381
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As cyclists and carfree travellers, I think we're more interested in weather forecasting than some folks. Although no long-term forecast is totally accurate, it's nice to have some idea lf what the next season will bring.
How does your winter weather look? Are you doing anything to prepare for it?
How does your winter weather look? Are you doing anything to prepare for it?
IMO, it’s a basic proposition that we cycle commuters just have to accept the weather for what it is and will be, and be prepared as well as possible. In fact, I (perversely) enjoy winter cycling as a change of pace…no pun intended. So instead of How does your winter weather look, here is my winter weather look.
Cold Commute Selfie
My 14 mile commute (1/27/14) at 15° with a head/cross wind of 13 mph (wind chill 0°):
Headwear: woolen neck gaiter, woolen face mask, thin nylon balaclava, woolen skull cap, and helmet with rearward flashing red light
Eyewear: prescription eyeglasses, well-ventilated safety glasses with a wide windscreen suspended from my cycling cap with Velcro, and right and left hand rearview mirrors
Footwear: Two layers of socks, running shoes, rubber Totes overshoes, Gore-Tex shoe coverings
Hands:
Thin knit gloves under full-fingered windproof ski gloves. I did bring along some leather, fleece-lined mittens as back-up. I also wear some homemade wrist gaiters (pictured).
Backpack: Draped by a reflective safety vest
Bike: Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires, flashing rearward red light, and forward flashing or steady LED. For wet weather, I carry a pair of rolled-up rain pants, a billed baseball cap, and an extra set of water-resistant gloves in my rear trunk bag.
My 14 mile commute (1/27/14) at 15° with a head/cross wind of 13 mph (wind chill 0°):
Headwear: woolen neck gaiter, woolen face mask, thin nylon balaclava, woolen skull cap, and helmet with rearward flashing red light
Eyewear: prescription eyeglasses, well-ventilated safety glasses with a wide windscreen suspended from my cycling cap with Velcro, and right and left hand rearview mirrors
Footwear: Two layers of socks, running shoes, rubber Totes overshoes, Gore-Tex shoe coverings
Hands:
Thin knit gloves under full-fingered windproof ski gloves. I did bring along some leather, fleece-lined mittens as back-up. I also wear some homemade wrist gaiters (pictured).
Backpack: Draped by a reflective safety vest
Bike: Schwalbe Marathon Winter studded tires, flashing rearward red light, and forward flashing or steady LED. For wet weather, I carry a pair of rolled-up rain pants, a billed baseball cap, and an extra set of water-resistant gloves in my rear trunk bag.
10-16-15 | 09:59 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,037
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From: Eugene, Oregon
We don't really do winter here. Sure, we used to get 60 inches of rain and one or two flutterings of snow with the occasional bit of ice, but things have changed. I expect we'll see only 20-40 inches of rain. If some of the El Nino predictions are correct, we'll be generally warm with lows in the upper 30s to upper 40s but a few weeks of below freezing lows. It's all good. All in all, the west coast is a great place for a weather wimp, as long as I stay out of the mountains. However, more and more ski resorts are re-inventing themselves as mountain bike resorts, so maybe winter cycling in the inland mountains is in my future.
10-16-15 | 10:18 PM
#9
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 631
Likes: 355
From: Eastern Iowa
Bikes: 2014 Trek Allant drop bar conversion, modified Schwinn MTN commuter, 2015 Trek 520, Soma ES, Salsa Journeyman, 1980 Trek 414
It's Iowa! Probably gonna be cold...likely will snow some. Might have some wind. Gonna see some ice for sure. Don't forget your lights, it's dark riding home. Sure to be a good time, break out the studded tires!
10-17-15 | 06:06 AM
#10
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From: Down under down under
Bikes: Lots
I bought a good quality rain jacket last year.
But hey ... it's spring now, so it's windy!
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10-17-15 | 06:29 AM
#11
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Forecast for me is average to slightly colder than normal, wetter than normal (whatever that means) We just went from drought conditions to flood in 72 hours a week ago. 
Aaron
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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