patentcad

I do have a motivation that most riders don't have. When I don't ride, my back hurts. When I do, I get a respite from the pain for many hours. Years ago I might have looked out the window on a 24º*windy as hell day and said 'um, not today'. Not now.

So that has compelled me to ride in conditions that I never would have ventured out in before. And I have generally LOVED the riding. Even when it's 25º and blowing like hell. I started riding in the snow on Thanksgiving. This AM I finished my ride in the snow (it wasn't snowing when I left, but the roads were snow covered for the last 40 mins. of a 2 hr ride). And it really was fun. Riding along on a snow covered bike path to Jimmy Cliff's 'Sitting in Limbo' on your iPod is a cool experience : ). So I've been riding in the cold/snow for 3+ months. And while it was warm in January for a few weeks, generally it HAS been a fairly typical winter up here - perhaps a bit less snow. And it was SUPER cold in December, which kind of balances out the unusually warm January weather.

I've had some singularly cool experiences out there. Harriman State Park at 6AM on a Feb. morning full of gorgeous frozen lakes - and riding for 15 mins. and not seeing a single other soul/car. Like it's my private preserve. Can't tell you how great that is. You have to experience it. Generally once I have 2-3 miles under my belt I'm warm - and I stay warm for hours. That hasn't really been an issue. It's the first 10 minutes that can be cold. But that is generally very temporary.

I'm psyched. I'm good to go down to 20º or so as long as it's dry (and sometimes when it's not). This winter has demonstrated to me that I can ride most of the winter, even in SE NY State. Through today over 1700 miles since Jan. 1. And that doesn't suck my fellow weenies.

timmhaan

best thing i got was a neck warmer thingy. it fits snug around my neck and i can pull it over my mouth if need be. my gloves are a little weak and my toes still get cold (despite plastic bags, wool socks, and booties) but i can handle anything winter will throw at us now (i'm in new york).

having water resistant outer layers is the icing on the cake as well. with that you can pretty much do any kind of weather.

patentcad

For me the big challenge has always been hand/feet warmth. I wear Pearl Izumi Amfib shoe covers over my cycling shoes with crew socks (over 35º) or a single layer of good thicker ski socks (under 35º). I have Specialized winter gloves good down to 25º or lower, and ski gloves below that. That combo works for me. I have a head sock (polypro) that only goes on sub 25º/windy - and I usually don't wear that. It's a rear velcro closure ear warmer and a regular cycling cap under my helmet 95%+ of the time, even down to sub-20º. I only go to the headsock when it's DEFCON 4 (most extreme cold/wind) - and that's rare for me.

pinky

Oh your body can handle it...I just hope you're riding your beater bike.

patentcad

I'm riding my new Cannondale. My MTB when the roads get really ugly. I'll never baby my bikes. Ride'em till they're fried and get another. That's how I've always done it. I'm in the process of building up another bicycle - but it won't be a 'beater'. Just another bike to share the abuse with...

I'll never quite get the 'beater bike' thing. I want a good bike under me when I ride - and it's worth the money to me. I guess everybody has their own approach. I am very fastidious about cleaning my bikes up after riding however. They get hosed, toweled, cleaned - and sometimes waxed - pretty regullarly. I clean the drivetrain every couple of weeks too.

pedex

weather wont do anything to a bike, cept make it a little dirty.........its still made of plastic, rubber, steel, aluminum, and other materials prettymuch impervious to weather

snow and ice dont seem to hurt my bikes, more wear on rims and brake pads from salt for certain, other than that not much

this winter has been failry easy at this latitude this year, and yes, cold weather doesnt change much cept the clothing choices, it has to get below zero F anymore before I really would rather do something else, if I had the choice which I dont really

no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices and various degrees of good weather

reneuend

This is the attitude I like! How would you feel if you were killed on your beater bike instead of your prized steed? Imagine the pictures on the News! The HORROR of it!

I commend you!

C4Byke

I can't believe you guys are catering to this blowhard. Some poster will put up a thread like "Hey, it was nice out today - anyone go out and ride?" and patentcad will rip them apart about how nobody cares about going out and riding on a nice day and what a freakin fredorama this forum is or something assinine like that. Hey Patentcad, this winter was the absolute most mild winter on record, I hope you know that you aren't impressing anyone. Geez, I mean who starts out a thread with "I do have a motivation that most riders don't have."?

Rhubarb

I think it is great that you are getting out in winter snow and enjoying it. I'm about to move to a colder climate so this topic does interest me.

What are wearing to keep warm, dry and comfortable in these conditions?

GuitarWizard

So did you go for a ride today during the snowstorm?

Cycliste

A few layers and cover warm the extremities, head and ears . Welcome to winter riding!

Plan for the unplanned though: I usually take two tubes and a spare tire, I'm not into messing with patches and dollar bills in sub-zero temps. Got some pieces of glass recently, didn't think twice when I saw the mess and changed tube and tire rightaway, I was still warm when I got back on the bike.

I must say, this Jan/Feb have been easier than previous years, apart from the last few days. Looks like it's warming up again.

ImprezaDrvr

I've found that my motivation to ride has kept me out on days when I might not otherwise ride. (Before you say it, I'm not in Phoenix. We have winter here in northern AZ, though it's been mild this year to say the least.) I've done more rides in cold weather and have found that above 20F I'm good. Above 30 and I'll take some wind and clouds. Wet and cold, well, that's another issue with the dirt road up to my place, but I've done it before on a bike that's no longer in the stable. you just have to get used to it mentally. Your body can do it already.

patentcad

I thought I could beat the snow and rolled out @ 6:30AM. Wrong. It started snowing about 8AM and I rode the last 30-45 mins in a mini blizzard. It was fine really. I've ridden in worse. The key to riding a road bike in the snow is:

•*Do NOT lean the bike or try to make anything but VERY gradual turns and

•*Stay SEATED on steep climbs. My hill has a couple of 15% grades. I sat today while riding up them - which I generally never do - but it was either that or lose traction. If you keep your butt on the seat your rear wheel has enough weight to sink through the snow and contact the road beneath. Get out of the saddle and you'll slip - so you won't be going anywhere anyway.

But I'd NEVER intentionally ride in the snow. Chanced it today. Got caught in it - but that's happened twice now for 30-45 minute periods and in both instances I made it back safely - by being VERY careful.

samal

i grew up in RI and rode every chance I got... to school, to the friend's... Even in the teens and twenties I'd be out on my bike, having fun, trying to ignore the pain of imminent frostbite ( i was a teenager, all I could afford was sweatshirts and beanies)
Now that I am in Florida, I shy away from extended rides when it drops into the low to mid 40's
i'm such a wuss

ElJamoquio

This time of year, I'm *DREAMING* of 40 degree weather...

patentcad

Today's a perfect example of how you can ride all winter - if you're motivated and if you're prepared for it.

It snowed about 6" here yesterday and it's 15º this AM (5:30AM here). It's supposed to be cold and windy today (projected high temp 28º). That means when I ride @ noon or so it will be about 25, windy, very sloppy roads.

I'll do a 23 mile ride on my MTB instead of a 30+ mile ride on a road bike. But I will get a ride in. And it will be relatively stable and safe. I can ride that MTB over just about anything. Been doing it all winter when the roads get this way.