I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on November 13, 2014 at 8:46am

A nice crisp ride, and somehow traffic seemed lighter. Are the drivers hibernating because it is so cold? :-)

Have not broken out the double mitten layer or the chemical hand warmers yet! Imagine how warm it is going to feel when it gets back up to 40!

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on November 13, 2014 at 8:55am

I thought traffic was lighter yesterday and today both. I'll take it!

Lisa Curcio 4.1mi said:

A nice crisp ride, and somehow traffic seemed lighter. Are the drivers hibernating because it is so cold? :-)

Have not broken out the double mitten layer or the chemical hand warmers yet! Imagine how warm it is going to feel when it gets back up to 40!

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Permalink Reply by Nançois on November 13, 2014 at 9:22am

I did! Was passed by only four other people on LFT (from here on out it's almost exclusively people passing me, not me passing other folks). I tried one of those ninja face masks for the first time today but found that it made it really hard to breathe, plus my no-fog glasses kept fogging up. Otherwise, totally business as usual, just one more layer.

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Permalink Reply by Maurice on November 13, 2014 at 11:37am

Auto traffic yesterday was a little crazy for me, but easy today. Didn't see many other cyclists either day, and I locked up right in front of my building, even though I got in later than usual.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on November 13, 2014 at 1:25pm

Lisa, cheer up. Feelings can be contagious. Is the ride home half fun or is at all fun?

But yeah, I agree, if you're properly attired, winter riding is fun. Particularly along the LFP. Those folks out there (and there are far fewer of them) are generally the very serious, hard core types. My only fear is ice along the Oak Street bend. I may consider putting on my studded tires soon.

Lisa Curcio 4.1mi said:

Wait! I thought the question was whether I rode today. I don't think it was whether I believe in climate change.

I did ride, as I said, and it was great, as I said! And I am going to ride home, too. And it will be great.

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on November 14, 2014 at 12:26pm

Last night I rode to and from my class at the Old Town School. It was brisk but riding on dark, calm streets with sufficient lighting and clothing made it a delight. It was also nice to know that there were several levels of bundling that I did not employ. As the temperatures drop I have more to use. I worry about people who already have their warmest gloves, a face mask and a down sweater. They are already at their limit. I came home, looked the vortex in the eye and said, "bring it!" With the advent of dark days these escapes are my remedy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Sure, they may be an invitation to hubris and I will have to work on that.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on November 14, 2014 at 12:32pm

Good ride this morning, but my feet were cold once I reached the Loop (coming from Edgewater). The rest of me was fine, however. I'll need to pull out the sock liners if it gets much colder. The booties aren't going to cut it much longer.

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on November 14, 2014 at 12:51pm

I also ride from Edgewater. Until yesterday, I've always had a smartwool pair of socks, my clipless shoes, and a toe cover. Which are fine until about half-way down, but the last mile into the loop my feet were really cold.

The other night, I bought a pair of ShowersPass socks from Turin that is water-proof and I put them on instead of the wool socks, and I'd say that they work a lot better than the wool socks!

It must be the water-proofing that blocks more of the wind.

I'm going to get another pair on my way home tonight! They are $35/pair, though.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on November 14, 2014 at 1:12pm

rwein5 said:

toe covers are really pretty useless below 50 degrees. you need real shoe covers (neoprene/polyurethane) for freezing temps.

Hmmm... I just wore toe covers for the first time this morning. Nice and toe-sty.

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on November 14, 2014 at 1:23pm

Same here. I was fine with just toe covers and a couple layers of wool socks inside shoes, all through last winter.

But I understand some are more prone to cold than others, and yet, we're still here!

Ride on! However you can do it!

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

rwein5 said:

toe covers are really pretty useless below 50 degrees. you need real shoe covers (neoprene/polyurethane) for freezing temps.

Hmmm... I just wore toe covers for the first time this morning. Nice and toe-sty.