Who else biked to work today?
01-31-19, 10:23 AM
#1
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Who else biked to work today?
I did. (And as you fellas can tell, I'm pretty stoked on myself and I'd like some recognition.)
8 miles, headwind, -13°F. Can anybody beat it?
Last edited by PeopleAreIdiots; 01-31-19 at 10:27 AM.
01-31-19, 10:42 AM
#3
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Can't beat that. About to leave now. Also 8 miles, tailwind, balmy 53 F 
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
01-31-19, 10:59 AM
#4
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I walked to work in my pajamas this morning.
I stopped at the kitchen for coffee and a bagel on the way.
-Tim-
I stopped at the kitchen for coffee and a bagel on the way.
-Tim-
01-31-19, 11:01 AM
#5
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I might take the train home if it doesn't warm up a bit by 6PM but at least I can say I did it right hahaha.
At 28° you should get out there! Its fun! -13 not so much.
happy riding my friend.
Last edited by PeopleAreIdiots; 01-31-19 at 12:24 PM.
01-31-19, 12:16 PM
#7
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Im getting jealous at the 50 and 60 degree temps in january. I bet summer is tough though where you guys are!
hardcore
Last edited by PeopleAreIdiots; 01-31-19 at 12:23 PM.
01-31-19, 12:37 PM
#8
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Summer in Tucson is tough, San Diego not so much, That coastal Mediterranean climate
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
01-31-19, 01:04 PM
#10
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01-31-19, 07:00 PM
#11
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It got up to 0° so no train home for me.
Last edited by PeopleAreIdiots; 01-31-19 at 07:35 PM.
01-31-19, 07:39 PM
#12
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28 when I headed out for my ride. Wife threatened to burn all my shorts if I rode today that way. Pants and I was on my way. Not bad at all with sunshine and light wind. Coastal NC living is not harsh, my hats off to all that brave the elements. BTW, have to ride, no car, no license.
01-31-19, 11:40 PM
#13
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You’re a madman! Riding in snow gets old rather quickly, but there’s a certain element of fun and gratification to it as well. I remember one winter while attending college at Northern Arizona University I was riding to my ex’s house and got caught in a blizzard about halfway there. I had to obviously get off the bike. It was so cold and windy it became hard to breathe. I trudged the rest of the way walking backwards into the wind with my bike just to keep breathing properly. When I finally got to her place she had a hot toddy waiting for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything better to this day! We got close to 130 inches of snow that season... more than I’d ever seen living in Washington and more than anywhere else in the nation that year. Arizona is a wild, crazy, stunningly beautiful, and highly diverse state.
Your bike looks rad, and well equipped. Really dig the disk brake... I’m one of those idiots who doesn’t run with brakes, but I would run a disk brake set up if it ever fell in my lap. I’d love to see pics of it under more controlled circumstance! Is that a wound up fork??
Your bike looks rad, and well equipped. Really dig the disk brake... I’m one of those idiots who doesn’t run with brakes, but I would run a disk brake set up if it ever fell in my lap. I’d love to see pics of it under more controlled circumstance! Is that a wound up fork??
Last edited by mouse; 02-01-19 at 12:03 AM.
02-01-19, 01:49 AM
#14
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You’re a madman! Riding in snow gets old rather quickly, but there’s a certain element of fun and gratification to it as well. I remember one winter while attending college at Northern Arizona University I was riding to my ex’s house and got caught in a blizzard about halfway there. I had to obviously get off the bike. It was so cold and windy it became hard to breathe. I trudged the rest of the way walking backwards into the wind with my bike just to keep breathing properly. When I finally got to her place she had a hot toddy waiting for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything better to this day! We got close to 130 inches of snow that season... more than I’d ever seen living in Washington and more than anywhere else in the nation that year. Arizona is a wild, crazy, stunningly beautiful, and highly diverse state.
Your bike looks rad, and well equipped. Really dig the disk brake... I’m one of those idiots who doesn’t run with brakes, but I would run a disk brake set up if it ever fell in my lap. I’d love to see pics of it under more controlled circumstance! Is that a wound up fork??
Your bike looks rad, and well equipped. Really dig the disk brake... I’m one of those idiots who doesn’t run with brakes, but I would run a disk brake set up if it ever fell in my lap. I’d love to see pics of it under more controlled circumstance! Is that a wound up fork??
I know I'm probably in the tiny minority with this but I actually enjoy riding in crappy weather the most. I guess to me it feels like more of an accomplishment/adventure whereas riding on a nice day can feel a bit routine. When I used to live in Pittsburgh, I remember a few snowstorms where I would end up literally sliding down the unplowed hills without a single pedal stroke on my way home from work (not on purpose). That's partially why I specced my bike to be a bit safer but also still super fun the rain and snow (hence the disc brake, all weather c15, and all the gaudy reflective tape etc.)
Obviously its pretty heavily modified by now but the frame is actually still my first fixed gear, an entry level fuji track I got a couple of years ago. The fork, disc brake and wheels are new as of this winter. And yep, its a wound up fork! It was a bit if an impractical treat to myself admittedly but its basically my favorite aspect of the bike now. So much so that I think it will soon be time to finally retire my good old fuji frame in favor of something that can match the fork a bit better! I'm thinking wabi special or something of the like. Well see. I'm not in a hurry or anything.
Anyway, Thanks for the compliment man!
Happy riding!
02-01-19, 06:04 AM
#15
Senior Member
I rode all week. Tuesday night was the worst with 20-40 mph winds. Yesterday it was 2°F on the ride in, but no wind. Today it is 5°F on the way in.
The roads were just as icy
One of my coworkers repurposed this picture from CNN and circulated it around the office.
I would ride my fixed gear in, but they don't make the Spiker tires in 700x23c.
The roads were just as icy
One of my coworkers repurposed this picture from CNN and circulated it around the office.
I would ride my fixed gear in, but they don't make the Spiker tires in 700x23c.
02-01-19, 05:23 PM
#16
Clark W. Griswold
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I see no reason to ride in negative temps or even anything below freezing especially in bad weather. I don't need to prove anything to anyone for any reason. I am not saying let's all be just fair weather cyclists but outright sadism just ain't for me.
02-01-19, 07:53 PM
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I rode to work at roughly -12 F in Madison on Tuesday, and under similar conditions the previous week. My workplace said "work from home if possible" on Wednesday and Thursday, and a minor family emergency prevented me from going in anyway. I think my coldest ride ever was around -20 F, a few years ago.
I don't need to prove anything either, but I'll comment a bit on the motivation. We all have our hobbies.
I'm not a super athletic rider, so getting KOM or even finishing a race are out of my reach. I have to choose some other way to make it a bit of a sport. So I've chosen year-round commuting as my cycling "discipline." Some people collect stamps, and go to unnecessary lengths to get a particular stamp. I ride my bike in bad weather.
Note that I'm not really suffering or taking unnecessary risks. My bike is set up for this, with studded tires and trusted reliable components. I'm completely bundled up. Below zero, I wear a ski helmet, ski goggles, face mask, ski jacket, snow pants, heavy mittens, and boots. Hand and foot warmers, depending. My rule is that I have to be dressed well enough to survive walking if the bike breaks down. I'm quite warm, and remember, people have figured out how to dress for working outdoors all day in places like Alaska and even Antarctica.
Then there's the feeling when I succeed, like going on a "mission" in a droll way.
I don't need to prove anything either, but I'll comment a bit on the motivation. We all have our hobbies.
I'm not a super athletic rider, so getting KOM or even finishing a race are out of my reach. I have to choose some other way to make it a bit of a sport. So I've chosen year-round commuting as my cycling "discipline." Some people collect stamps, and go to unnecessary lengths to get a particular stamp. I ride my bike in bad weather.Note that I'm not really suffering or taking unnecessary risks. My bike is set up for this, with studded tires and trusted reliable components. I'm completely bundled up. Below zero, I wear a ski helmet, ski goggles, face mask, ski jacket, snow pants, heavy mittens, and boots. Hand and foot warmers, depending. My rule is that I have to be dressed well enough to survive walking if the bike breaks down. I'm quite warm, and remember, people have figured out how to dress for working outdoors all day in places like Alaska and even Antarctica.
Then there's the feeling when I succeed, like going on a "mission" in a droll way.
02-01-19, 09:36 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
Hey, some other kooks like me! Kudos fellas.
I was able to squeeze 30c studded tires on a track frame. You should check them out if you wanna try taking the fixed gear out in the snow (45NRTH Xerxes). Riding fixed on snow and ice is actually nice because you can really feel how much traction you have at all times. Looks like the bike you posted has things pretty well handled though
I feel exactly the same way. I'm not very social or competitive so I usually don't go out for races or group rides or anything so resisting the urge to be lazy and take the train to work or to the store is kinda the way I compete with myself.
I did post this thread though so I guess I do need validation of some sort
So I've chosen year-round commuting as my cycling "discipline." Some people collect stamps, and go to unnecessary lengths to get a particular stamp. I ride my bike in bad weather.
Note that I'm not really suffering or taking unnecessary risks.
Then there's the feeling when I succeed, like going on a "mission" in a droll way.
Note that I'm not really suffering or taking unnecessary risks.
Then there's the feeling when I succeed, like going on a "mission" in a droll way.
I did post this thread though so I guess I do need validation of some sort
02-01-19, 10:58 PM
#19
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This morning while I was eating my morning clif bar and coffee and watching cartoons, my rear tube decided to randomly hiss and deflate. So aside from having to walk my bike 10 blocks to my homies shop to pick up new tubes my ride to work was a pleasant 72 degrees today. I wasn’t even bummed A: because I got to chill with the only other track bike junkie I know, and B: I stopped and got tacos to eat once I got to the shop. Tucson tacos can’t be beat. Unless of course I make them myself out of deer meat. Mmmmmm. Ride home was awesome... 60 degrees and southside traffic is minimal after 9pm. Since I’ve been riding daily to work since the new year I can feel myself getting quicker and more limber every day!
02-01-19, 11:07 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
This morning while I was eating my morning clif bar and coffee and watching cartoons, my rear tube decided to randomly hiss and deflate. So aside from having to walk my bike 10 blocks to my homies shop to pick up new tubes my ride to work was a pleasant 72 degrees today. I wasn’t even bummed A: because I got to chill with the only other track bike junkie I know, and B: I stopped and got tacos to eat once I got to the shop. Tucson tacos can’t be beat. Unless of course I make them myself out of deer meat. Mmmmmm. Ride home was awesome... 60 degrees and southside traffic is minimal after 9pm. Since I’ve been riding daily to work since the new year I can feel myself getting quicker and more limber every day!
Keep it up man!
02-02-19, 12:10 PM
#21
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I don't need to prove anything either, but I'll comment a bit on the motivation. We all have our hobbies. I'm not a super athletic rider, so getting KOM or even finishing a race are out of my reach. I have to choose some other way to make it a bit of a sport. So I've chosen year-round commuting as my cycling "discipline." Some people collect stamps, and go to unnecessary lengths to get a particular stamp. I ride my bike in bad weather.
I'm not a super athletic rider, so getting KOM or even finishing a race are out of my reach. I have to choose some other way to make it a bit of a sport. So I've chosen year-round commuting as my cycling "discipline." Some people collect stamps, and go to unnecessary lengths to get a particular stamp. I ride my bike in bad weather.Last year, I made a goal to ride a bike every day, except Sundays. It’s not a really ambitious goal athletically, as I allowed myself to count even a 2 or 3 mile ride some days. It’s just something I wanted to do for my own satisfaction.
I never missed one, even on the coldest days, when I was sick, or when I was traveling. I didn’t even let my broken wrist excuse me from the commitment, and that turned out to be a two month ordeal, including several weeks in a big cast.
This year I have other biking objectives, but I’m glad I proved I can do that.
I have a lot of respect for anyone who commutes by bike exclusively, or who relies on bikes for 80% or more of their transportation needs.
02-03-19, 12:01 PM
#22
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
02-12-19, 11:07 PM
#23
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I commute almost 9 miles to and from work 5 days a week. South Florida. Brakeless/Fixed. 48/15.
02-12-19, 11:45 PM
#24
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Tucson gets such a bad name for being blistering hot... but it only lasts ~3 months where it sucks, And that’s really only mid day. Those phx folks have it much worse. Rest of the year is amazing! I compare it living in the PNW... but the opposite. It’s not bad at all! Do you ever participate in the downtown Tuesday night ride? It’s been a long time, but I’ve been tossing around the idea of closing shop early and riding with everyone again at a leisurely pace.
Damn dude... that’s a hefty ratio for sure. You’d smoke my ass
02-13-19, 07:49 AM
#25
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