Brrrr
Frosty Morning
We’ve had record or near-record lows each of the past few days, including even a bit of snow down here in the Valley. I know we’re weather wimps here in California, but when you’re not accustomed to these temps it feels like a deep freeze out there. Throw on an extra layer or two and watch out for black ice on the road! (I’m sure all of you folks in the Midwest and Places Far North are chuckling at us lightweights about now… )
22 Responses to “Brrrr”
I’m just glad I’m not in Denver. It was -16° this morning (that’s air temp, without wind chill). That sounds like Canadian weather to me!
“It was -16° this morning (that’s air temp, without wind chill)”
That hurts just thinking about it.
Monday night ,coming home about 10:00, it was beyond cold on my face and ears and well into a degree of pain. Tomorrow I’m taking my ” Buff ” with me.
When i last rode it was -18C (-0.4F) and my eyes started to water. Its then that i thought, I’m going to ride slower so this doesn’t happen again.
Weather weenie? Nah! If biking is important/your only option, you just ride through what you’re confronted with. The worst you experience will be the worst you experience, whether it’s a little chilly or a subzero snowstorm.
This morning, I rode through the one foot of snow we received in 12 hours, in lightning and thunder amidst a torrent of beefy, pelting snowflakes.
http://yfrog.com/1ejxfj
Our first significant snowfall of the year (and the latest in recorded history!) in Peterborough, Ontario.
My commuting got shut down by snow here in Durango, CO. Driving in this morning the temp was -3 F. I like to ride to work, it’s 10 miles but not with close to 24″ of snow in the last couple of days. – Mike
In North Dakota this morning it was -10 F with a -30 F wind chill. A friend of mine who is a university professor was biking to work and was stopped by a police officer. The officer pulled up beside and asked if he was ok, and that a woman had called 911, concerned about his well-being. The officer said he was just doing a welfare check. My friend replied that he rides every day, and was dressed for it. He waived, said “OK, be careful,” and drove off.
This is perhaps one of the most entertaining winter-biking exchanges I have heard. I guess it speaks to the fact that some of us are more willing to enjoy the elements in all their glory than others.
@ Jonathan
I like to think that it’s the kindness of strangers at work here. Good on the woman, and good on the officer for even giving your friend any consideration at all. Kindness is a rare and precious thing.
Yeah – in Denver too. My thermometer said -11. I wussed out and drove. Boy my old truck complained though! Didn’t like firing up at that temp whatsoever!
A threat of black ice on unsalted roads is about the only weather condition that will deter me from cycling. Ride onto it, and you’ll likely be down before you know what’s going on. Happened to me once without injury or damage, but a fairly young guy at work broke his hip hitting black ice on a bike.
Snow can also be an issue in the southern UK because it isn’t all that common and both drivers and cyclists aren’t prepared.
A mile from home yesterday morning (when it had warmed up to 27 degrees), I heard an ominous and intermittent clicking noise coming from my rear hub or derailleur. I turned back around, drove to work instead, and took apart the back end last night to find no discernable reason for the noise.
It’s not just we wimpy NorCal riders that complain when it drops below freezing; I’m guessing my normally-trusty ride wanted some wool layers, too.
I was hemming and hawing this morning, looking at 18F on my window thermometer. Marginal in my book, but managable. Then I remembered that I was going to have dinner at a friends place after work and that it’d involve more planning to make that happen and ride. So I took the bus instead. As I’m waiting there thinking,”I really should have just sucked it up and rode.” a fellow comes riding by on his bike in lycra shorts. No knee warmers, short socks, nylon jacket snapping in the wind. It made my knees hurt just watching the guy.
Tomorrow should be a touch warmer (above 20F) and I’ll be wearing LONG PANTS!
Got a nice few miles in today around 0 deg here in CO. Studded tires do a brilliant job on ice/packed snow and even though they’re not knobby they do fine in a few inches of powder too but the 20″ wheels get pushed around a lot by the slush. Would be nice if it either cooled off a bit more to keep things nice and firm or warmed up enough to melt it off proper.
ant
As a youngster in Denver, in the early 1940s, I carried a Denver Post route on my bike. I still remember the cold Sunday mornings with snow and icy streets, with a load of over 100 big Sunday editions hanging on the handlebars. Of course it was uphill and upwind both ways…..
The other six days were afternoon deliveries so you could at least see where to throw the paper. I admit that I wimp out now when the weather gets bad but I had to be there every day to deliver the papers.
As a youngster, I used to revel in snow and did many miles on my fixed-wheel bike (before such things were trendy, it’s just what you did in winter to save your better wheels and gears). Now I’m a lot more cautious, and whilst my recumbent trike will handle anything short of axle deep snow, I’m more worried about incautious and unskilled drivers. I see too many sliding off the road when it gets icy, and I don’t want to find myself in their path!
This morning in Fort Collins, CO my thermometer said -21F -29C then it stopped working. We don’t have bike lanes anymore though I’m sure they must be under the snow somewhere. I saw a couple of bike commuters this morning, but I sure wasn’t one of them.
Hey-
Rode the Foresthill Divide loop in 6+ in of snow! We were the first tracks, too!
Gonzo Chris Baughman rode the whole loop, while myself and Tom King rode some… best snow ride ever!!!!! Never saw snow so low….Life is short- RIDE!!!!!
I took a 14 mile spin Tuesday night. I got home and my daughter asked about all the steam coming out of my velomobile when I popped the cockpit skirt. It was 26 degrees fahrenheit and I was snug as a bug in a rug.
First winter with a velomobile. I’m looking forward to it but then again we usually don’t get hit with the snow that other folks get.
After two days of commuting in 12f weather, I listened to my inner wimp and carpooled. Although I miss the endorphins, I don’t miss the numb toes.
By the time I am half way home from picking up my youngest at preschool it has been in the 30′s here in SF. My fingers are taking the brunt of it, but the hardest thing is keeping my son warm. He isn’t pedaling and he gets a lot of wind. I have done a lot of experimenting with layers and finally have it down to long underwear, pants, shirt, polar fleece sweater, hat, helmet, thick socks, mittens and his rain gear. The waterproof clothing is also wind proof and has proven to be the ticket to keeping him warm.
Hey Alan,
I hear you, the Valley was arctic over the past couple of weeks although ive managed thus far to avoid getting soaked this week. Whats your route mate? You’ll find me carving up Moorpark & Riverside thru Studio City, Burbank and into Glendale!
Take it easy!
*face plant*
Sacramento Valley, rather than San Fernando …
I got all excited for one moment I wouldnt be the only cyclist out on the streets of LA in 40F :)