ROACHTRAP

Riding in NYC in the winter SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!, its the worst and i've lived here all my life. Nothing makes my balls scrung up into my stomach like getting up in the morning and knowing i'm gonna hit the streets on my bike in -30 windchills. I'm dreading this winter, for real.

evanyc

-30 degree windchills in NYC aren't exactly common.

dogpound

yea, the holiday crap is a pain in the ass and it does take some getting use to the clothing thing.
However, there are runners in central park year round, so get ready for that!

blu3d0g

if you can, get a softshell, they rock. I commuted all last winter in a softshell, t-shirt, and normal pants (though for me that's carhartts). Skiing/snowboarding socks are a wonderful thing too. neck/face covering of some sort is also good, I rocked a bandana and a knit hat and was pretty comfortable.

acavengo

I agree with those that said that it is key to not overdress, but with time you will figure out what that is for you. I grew up in Miami and have never fully acclimated myself to the cold, so I probably just dress warmer than others...or at least I think I do. My biggest challenge so far has been finding the right socks, but I'll give those snowboarding socks blu3d0g suggested a shot.

shishi

Just make sure you look out the window every few hours during winter. One time I was working all day and finally left to realize it had snowed a good 12" during the day. Fun ride home...

A beater helps as well since the snow just turns to black muck.

nycm'er

Last winter was rather mild for the record. I dont recall it getting much below 15 deg F except maybe early morning. I thought I was so tough riding the year before in 7 deg weather, then I read Surlyblog where the dudes are riding below 0F.

Cover your skin on the cold days, and that will keep the sting out.

Smartwool socks is what solves the cold feet problem, in fact I think wool solves the entire cold problem.

The weather does change quick here, like in New England sometimes. One day last February it was 57 at 6 am, sleeting at noon and there was 10 inches of snow and a glorious pink/orange sunset by 5 pm. All things I would not have noticed had I not been riding.

timmhaan

the worst thing is the initial 5-10 minutes on the bike. it feels soooo cold sometimes (especially if you have to go downhill). if you can survive that, then you'll quickly warm up and be comfortable.

i often start off feeling like i'm underdressed and then end up feeling overdressed by the end. my feet are the hardest for me to keep warm.

brunning

many good points in this thread.

you'll lose a few days due to streets covered in snow or ice, but most winters here are not _that_ cold. there will be a week or two of teens somewhere in there, but it's mostly in the mid 30s-mid 40s from november-march.

as said above, there's no bad weather, just bad gear.

your head, hands and feet are the hardest to keep warm. i highly recommend buying winter road cycling gear made from wicking synthetic fabric - the stuff is insulated and keeps you dry and warm.

the biggest mistake you can make is layering lots of cotton. you'll get sweaty fast, and sweat-soaked clothing will get cold. wicking layers take the moisture away from your skin adn keep you warm and dry.

for the feet, i'd recommend clipless because most warm winter shoes you'd want to wear will not fit into clips. you can ride durable road shoes with wool socks, then get heavy-weight waterproof booties to fit over them. not the most elegant solution in some cases (riding to the bar?), but an effective way to keep your feet warm.

remember that you'll be generating heat while you ride, so when you leave the house, you should feel cold.

also, if you're riding with a messenger bag, pick up cheap glove liners, arm and leg warmers, and extra hat in case conditions change or you're out late and it gets cold.

as for the bike, get good fenders and front and rear lights.

timdoginc

I'm wondering what kind of miles people that still ride in the winter are logging?

timmhaan

on average over the winter i get about 100 miles per week. sometimes a bit more or less depending on the weather.

Aeroplane

About the same as the summer, if not more. I still use my bike to get to the same places.

timdoginc

that's pretty vague, i'm just wondering because i stop my commutting once it starts snowing. i'll still ride other places, but the 10 mile commute from bk to midtown is no longer fun once winter comes.

Aeroplane

My commute is 8 miles each way. I do it 4 days a week.

ella

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollsroyce

Thanks. I'm really looking forward to this, it sounds fun. I lived in Portland briefly and gearing up for and riding in the rain was great. It also got pretty cold there. Seasons? Awesome. For me,

Wow, I've never heard anyone else say it just like that but that's EXACTLY how I felt in SF. Hm, nice to know I'm not alone on that one.

ella

kyle!

i would agree with you if it wasn't in the 30's every night/morning all over the city right now. i have to wear a hoodie all day. even though it's sunny as hell. i'm kinda weirded out right now.



buuut i'd rather dress warm than and be a little chilly than sweat my behind off all day with a high of 88 degrees.

AfterThisNap

um, wasn't it 72 degrees last week? Winter in NYC is out. Global Warming is the new black.

kyle!

yeah i think sd and nyc traded temperatures. i want mine back.