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Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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I sure did!  Didn't have to go anywhere yesterday so this was the first day it really felt like Bike Winter.  I stopped short of using the goggles and lobster claws today.  Balaclava and wool mitten/gloves were fine. Everything stayed warm except my right foot.  Very grateful for the sunshine!  And though I do want to encourage everyone to Bike Winter, I really enjoy not fighting for space at the bike rack.  

Good call, rascal. I had not given that consideration.

rascaltwitch said:

Be careful with your three pairs of socks. If they get crammed in there too tightly you'll end up compressing all of the little air pockets out of the wool and losing your insulation. One pair of socks with good room can be better than three pairs of compressed socks in tight shoes. 

Jim S said:

Yeah, this is the first time I've had to layer up really well. wicking base layer and TWO midweight merino mid layers.

 

Even with three pairs of merino socks, my toes got numb. I concede to the fact that regular gym shoes don't hold up over a long distance in 10-19 degree weather.

Rode into work at 4:30... my eye moisture froze up on the sides of my eyes... it was a truly satisfying feeling to hear my co-workers ask if i'm crazy..

I rode. I slipped on a railroad track. caaaarefull.

Today I commuted by bike in January for the first time ever, and it was great! And to think, my original goal was to extend my normal season to Thanksgiving. I guess I picked a good winter to start commuting by bike year round.

Warm(ish) weather is back! A little headwind today, but nice nonetheless.

I had not ridden since  last year and had to get the cobwebs off the chain. little wind, little salt, little moisture.  Big delight.  The hardest part of riding this time of year is the reality that its dark on both ends of the commute.  That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Good job!


David Barish said:

I had not ridden since  last year and had to get the cobwebs off the chain. little wind, little salt, little moisture.  Big delight.  The hardest part of riding this time of year is the reality that its dark on both ends of the commute.  That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Absolutely agree-- exercise in general is the best way to beat it. Never saw one bit of difference trying to use light.

Salt...grime...sand from dipping off the LFP a couple days ago at North ave. beach. The old VooDoo was looking worse for wear. It didn't help that I sprayed WD-40 all over the drive train just before Mass...acting like a magnet for everything thrown up from the streets.

Well, I brought the VooDoo inside, from the closed porch, and gave her a rinse in the shower. This didn't sit well with Milagros because she just finished scrubbing the tub.

I used dish washing liquid and gently washed it with an old towel I ripped into wash cloths. I used hot water to rinse the soap and just threw away the greasy towels.

Thanks to Milly, we always have extra(old) tooth brushes in a jar under the sink. I used a spray bottle with some alcohol and cleaned the chain and derailleur.

I know there are "bike specific" gear to clean the chain as well as better lube...but hey, I take whet i can get at this point...and try to make it work.

get a chain tool, remove your chain, drop it into a soda bottle with degreaser and shake liberally.

S.Presley said:

Salt...grime...sand from dipping off the LFP a couple days ago at North ave. beach. The old VooDoo was looking worse for wear. It didn't help that I sprayed WD-40 all over the drive train just before Mass...acting like a magnet for everything thrown up from the streets.

Well, I brought the VooDoo inside, from the closed porch, and gave her a rinse in the shower. This didn't sit well with Milagros because she just finished scrubbing the tub.

I used dish washing liquid and gently washed it with an old towel I ripped into wash cloths. I used hot water to rinse the soap and just threw away the greasy towels.

Thanks to Milly, we always have extra(old) tooth brushes in a jar under the sink. I used a spray bottle with some alcohol and cleaned the chain and derailleur.

I know there are "bike specific" gear to clean the chain as well as better lube...but hey, I take whet i can get at this point...and try to make it work.



Cameron Puetz said:

I'm tempted to ask you a series of yes or no questions just to see how many of these graphics you have.



h' said:

That being said, nothing does a better job of diminishing Seasonal Affective Disorder than a nice ride.

Absolutely agree-- exercise in general is the best way to beat it. Never saw one bit of difference trying to use light.

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