What do you look forward to about winter biking?

There's just a touch of chill in the air, but the days are much shorter and fall and winter are on their way. What do you most look forward to about cold-weather biking?

Me, it's the amazing feeling of hot coffee on a cold ride. I have a coffee-cup-holder mounted on my handlebars, and for my 5 mile ride to work, I have hot Alterra coffee ready to go. Stopping at lights and having a swig of it makes my day. And drivers and other cyclists often comment to admire this cup-holder, which my girlfriend got me at K-Mart two or three years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on September 18, 2012 at 8:07pm

For more winter bike ride photos, click here.

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Permalink Reply by Marcus on September 18, 2012 at 9:04pm

I really like wearing my balaclava and ski goggles. The winter turns me into a bike ninja.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 18, 2012 at 9:14pm

I really wish that Ning would implement a +1 button for posts. This comment deserves many such plussings.

Marcus said:

I really like wearing my balaclava and ski goggles. The winter turns me into a bike ninja.

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Permalink Reply by Blatherskate on September 18, 2012 at 11:36pm

I like the fact that after October I won't see anyone riding and talking on the phone till April.

On a serious note, I don't know what I would do to stay sane if I couldn't cycle in the winter. Best part of my day, no matter the weather.

Bring it on old man winter!

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on September 24, 2012 at 2:31pm

Having jacket pockets to carry more stuff.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on September 26, 2012 at 2:28pm

willow-i have just been reading about MMM : he is the coolest.

thanks!!!

Dan

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 26, 2012 at 2:33pm

I don't mind nudity at all but THAT ain't Proofide^tm!

Crafty Cycling Chick said:

I like meeting people new to Winter biking who get to figure out that it's easier to bike in the Winter than in the Summer because there's only so much you can take off on hot days before you get arrested.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on September 26, 2012 at 3:17pm

I might give Ray's MTB Park a try this year.

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Permalink Reply by ilter on November 17, 2012 at 2:54am

Out of topic, but just wanted to note, the high mileage rider from Taylorville was was killed yesterday..

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x871170363/Taylorville-bicyclist-71-ki...

ilter said:

Apparently, that person from Taylorville is a randonneur. Looks like he does a ton of metric centuries.

David Lieb said:

Yes, you can. It will annoy all the people who are suddenly one spot lower in the standings than they were a minute earlier, but you won't be the first nor the last ;-) It isn't elaborate like BikeJournal, but I find a perverse pleasure in loitering at #27. There are no prizes, other than the satisfaction of seeing your annual total going up. No one calls you a liar (too busy wondering whether the guy from Taylorville has a life, job, family...).

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Permalink Reply by Saverio Truglia on November 17, 2012 at 8:51am

I feel that the drivers give us more patience and respect in the dead of winter especially when there's snow. The acknowledging tribal nod of other bundled cyclists also warms me while riding up Damen in 25 degrees.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 17, 2012 at 9:20am

Yes! I remember my first ride in a snow storm and when we passed another cyclist we gave 5he nod. Def felt a connection.

Saverio Truglia said:

I feel that the drivers give us more patience and respect in the dead of winter especially when there's snow. The acknowledging tribal nod of other bundled cyclists also warms me while riding up Damen in 25 degrees.