Captain Blight

How we all holding up out there? Ready for another 6 weeks?

Me, I'm doing surprisingly well, this is the first year I've ridden a bike specifically set up for winter Zero mechanicals, no broken spokes, only fallen once (and I was drunk at the time). Chain's a little rusty but that's no big deal. Cheap Weinemann platform pedals were 100% the right choice, with the Vibram tread on my boots I'm pretty grippy but can get my feet down when I need to.

Plus, I'm the only one of my fam and friends who LOST weight over Xmas. I mentioned this to my GFs best friend and the look of sheer hatred she gave me was worth everything else I've gone through. Sometimes feeling smug is its own reward.

So: how's it going? Any lessons learned?

clasher

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, I use big sorel boots on bmx pedals and have grip as much as I want and warmth that can be excessive in more than dress socks, along with water protection and slush protection. I'm in my second season of sorels and bmx pedals and never have wet or cold feet. A few small slips and slides but nothing that wasn't remedied by putting a foot down.

This is my first winter with panniers and I love it... I'm working 12 hour shifts so I have to carry clothes for day and night riding.

I've also been riding the road bike during the clear spans we have and it's been fun. My winter ride is a single-speed mixte that I am upgrading with drum brakes and an SA 5 speed hub. Eventual plans include a custom chaincase but that is more a spring matter than winter at this point, though it would be lovely to say goodbye to frequent chain maintenance.

tjspiel

It might be hard to see in the pic but there's a link that's about to give way. It was somewhat mild and wet on the roads last week. This is what the chain looked like last night after sitting in the garage since Friday. I brought the bike inside and set it on a tarp so I could work on the chain and the sticking cantis.

Belt drive is getting more appealing all the time. The 2 previous years I had Z51 rust buster chains on my winter bike but they don't work well for 8 speeds.

Lamabb

I envy you too. I ride all winter and still gain weight becuase I super-fred it up and ride very slow through the winter. During the winter, I don't see anyone on a bicycle outside. I'm just ready for spring!