so to make ice melt, you add heat. when water freezes and turns into ice, it releases heat. farmers use this knowledge to protect their crops in the winter. orange farmers actually spray the oranges with water and allow that water to freeze, and this in turn keeps the oranges warm during the winter.

know what does this have to do with biking:

while riding in philly's wonderful winter mix tonite with my soft shell, a lot of water/snow/ice was starting to rest and melt on my arms. i thought for sure my arms would freeze and cursed myself for not bringing out the goretex shell. anyway, the ice/snow/water ended up freezing and that frozen shell on my arms actually kept them warm.

know what does this have to do with fixed gear:

i was one on when i learned this.

just wanted to share. im not saying that the freezing kept my arms warm, it was most likely just that the layer of ice blocked 100% of the wind, but still i think these things are connected somehow.

You were drunk?

No you... your... mom. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT.... where'd my wallet go? Guysh? What? What! What?? Ok...

dude's on ice.

Froshizzle

I think that the ice is just Philly hating you back.

Snow is an incredible insulator. Lie down on cold ground for 5 min, then lie down on snow for 5 min, the difference is amazing.

naw man its not that philly ice hating me back. ice is our friend.

Mobile igloo!

You should tell me what the difference is so I don't risk an extremity falling off while conducting this experiment.

That mexican ice will ruin you man.

The difference is that your body heat melts the snow, soaking your clothing and making you both cold and wet. Unless its so ****ing cold that the snow doesn't melt, in which case i suppose it would insulate you. I haven't been in weather that cold.

Hells no, well be frozen to death.

When all you have is $5, natural ice is your friend.

The best is when it's so cold that your sweat is freezing to the insde surface of your jacket. Extra insulation for sure!

I also like when you take off your helmet, and have hellraiser-style horns of frozen snow where the vents were.

i stepped in a puddle at the beginning of my commute yesterday. when i got home i had ice between my toes

Yikes! Any frostnip/frostbite?

True!! You want to close your eyes and go to sleep. Don't try it.

probably some, the feet were definitely numb, but nothing too serious. sustained a lot worse as a boy scout

but suffice to say lesson learned. the consequences of stepping in a puddle on a day like that are exponentially worse...

three things:
1. igloos, duh.
2. know != now
3. beardcicles

go philly.