I have the bikes ready, now if it would just snow.
I have rebuilt my two fixed gear wheels for the ride this winter, I've shined the bikes up. I have also replaced the head sets, the BBs should be okay, as they were new last year, I still have the chains to replace, but that's on the list. I know I'm rushing this stuff, but I was bored the other day, and having moved into a new place have the room to do some of the work needed. I've even taken my wool sweaters to the dry cleaners. Hurry UP!!!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR WINTER TO GET HERE!!!!

Whoa there partner!

It is supposed to snow in Edmonton, Alberta tonight. In fact, there is a thread over on bikejournal.com about rather you should ride in the first snow of the season or not.

Perhaps you should move to northern Alberta? The Yukon or NWT perhaps.

you're riding fixies through the winter.

I'm not worthy.

I'm hoping to get a Rohloff built up for a super commuter...I'd love to fixie in, but I'm worried about premature death issues...

you rock. 'nuff said.
Tom

Do you need a base of snow to ride on, or could you just ride on a light covering. Do any of you guys ski or snowboard? Also, do you live up in the mountains, or do day trips?

Just wondering, cause things in oz are different...any snow is good (2m top for the season just finished at falls, for me thats increadible!!!!)

I've started acquiring a few things. Just bought some cheap full zip (each leg) wind pants to wear over the tights on colder days. Also found some cheap Thermax glove liners on Ebay. Hey, naisme, it would be cool if you would spread out everything you wear on one of your colder rides and take a picture of it.

You have some marathon winter rides and it would be interesting for people wondering what to wear to see what you wear. IOW, if you can do it wearing X then people can make their own judgements.

I am almost as fascinated by studying winter dress as the winter cycling itself. I had a blast last year and for the most part have my "wardrobe" figured out. I always see fancier nicer stuff but I try and get by on the least amount of $$ as possible.

One of the reasons I like hitting the consignment stores, sweaters on the cheap, if the guys in the old days of the Tour wore wool jerseys, I can, and a wind shirt with zip off sleaves is a great addition to a winter riding wardrobe. I don't like wind pants, so I opted for "wind" tights, fleece lined with a rip stop front panel, real toasty, only I need new this year. I still am working on a better shoe/boot, my feet get cold, what I found works though is to get off the bike at about 10 miles and walk a little, for some reason it gets the blood flowing, and I can finish my ride.

I was considering some of the windstop tights but heard they don't breathe well in the front. I have a pair of winter tights that i wear down to around 25 F but i need more after that. If i throw on a pair of wind pants they will take me down into the teens. I just bought a used pair of windpants on ebay for a couple bucks. They have full zippers on each leg and i am hoping to get some excellent ventilation by utilizing them.

Hmmmmm... I haven't done a thing to my winter bike since last winter... I suppose I should get started (yawn).

Hey guys don't forget about preparing your body for winter.


By Kris Wagner BACKPACKER Online Managing Editor,

Think Warm
Your first step toward warmer days in the frigid backcountry is to minimize your fear of the cold, says Gordon Giesbrecht, Ph.D., a professor of thermal physiology at the University of Manitoba. "If you're worried about being cold, then naturally you'll be cold," he says. Starting a few weeks before your trip, tell yourself several times a day how strong and confident you are about enduring frigid temperatures. Sounds corny, but some famous explorers swear by this technique. In his book, Relieve Tension The Autogenic Way, Hannes Lindemann, Ph.D., explains that the only way he survived two trips across the Atlantic--one in a dugout canoe, the other in a folding boat--was by training his brain to stay focused and heal his body. German explorer Till Gottbrath used Dr. Lindemann's techniques to battle frostbite in his fingers during his 370-mile ski traverse of the Greenland icecap. "I focused hard on my fingers in my left hand and was able to direct blood where I needed it," recalls Gottbrath. Months before he began the trip, he also repeated the mantra, "We are strong, we shall make it, bearing east." Gottbrath credits mental strength with getting the team through nasty whiteouts and bitter cold.

Strip Down
John Castellani, Ph.D., a physiologist for the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, says that the soldiers he helps train in Alaska's -40!F temps usually opt to carry more ammunition rather than an extra layer of clothing. By training with less clothing, their bodies learn to adapt, a technique he says winter backpackers can use.

Dr. Giesbrecht agrees. "Purposely make yourself cold. The more [safe] cold exposure the better." Instead of driving around in a heated car, turn off the blowers. Or, walk to the corner store with one less layer than you're used to wearing. Why this works: When you hike in the cold, your body restricts blood flow to your hands and feet. By training yourself to endure cold weather around town, you're teaching your body to keep blood flowing to your extremities. You'll feel changes in your circulation patterns in a matter of weeks.

Mountaineer Reinhold Messner, first to summit all the world's 14 tallest peaks, often took cold showers to beef up for his high-altitude climbs. Break yourself in by showering at your normal comfortable temperature and then slowly turn the knob to add colder water. After 2 weeks of showering at colder and colder temps, you'll feel your body start to adjust. Just don't go as far as to bathe in ice; exposing your skin to near-freezing water can damage your blood vessels and cause frostbite.

When exposing yourself to cold, avoid permanent damage by paying attention to your body's warning signs. Moderate discomfort encourages your body to adapt; but if you feel pain and numbness, layer up, drink hot fluids, and get moving.

Fatten Up
Before big climbs, mountaineer R. J. Secor puts on weight like a grizzly before hibernation. "I always get fat. I know I'm going to need extra reserves." Before a 3-week expedition to Denali, Secor gains at least 10 pounds, but then loses 8 to 10 pounds on the trip. Doctors confirm that putting on a few pounds can help you endure the freezing weather without reducing your fitness level.

For shorter winter trips, instead of gaining weight, simply revise your trail menu to increase your caloric intake. Dr. Giesbrecht says that if you anticipate heavy loads and 8- to 12-hour days of winter hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing, start upping your calories the week before you leave. An average person eats 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day, but can burn up to 7,000 calories on a hiking trip in low temperatures. Since the caloric value of fat is almost double that of carbohydrates, Dr. Giesbrecht recommends that you "add copious amounts of butter to all your normal meals." High-protein, high-fat foods like peanut butter, Snickers bars, and dairy products will also pack a calorie punch.

Thanks GoJohnnyGo, that was a good bit of info on surviving the cold.

I'm very happy about the cooler fall temps we've got here in the City, although, this summer was pretty darn pleasant as far as heat goes. We escaped August without hitting 90 degrees.

I'm looking forward to the cooler weather, and want to get myself some toasty warm pants to bike to work in, so people can look at me sideways when I say I rode in today when it's only 15 degrees out.

Don't give thanks to me give it to Kris Wagner BACKPACKER Online Managing Editor,
It's just some info that I swear by! It has helped me thur some very rough times in the back country and on the bike. When I go winter backpacking it can get a bit brutal and I stay for 2-3 nights. Preparing yourself for it it is god sent.