Riding in really bad weather….

This topic has 65 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 5 months ago by mstone.

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November 6, 2012 at 3:26 pm #954970

Terpfan
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@Dirt 35202 wrote:

Greetings y’all. Riding through the tail end of hurricane Sandy got me thinking the other day. I finally put those thoughts down in words. I’m going to be lazy and just post a link to the blog entry I did. Most of what I talked about has been posted here before, but I think the post kind of pulls it all together a bit.

http://lovemycommute.blogspot.com/2012/11/riding-through-hurricane-sandy.html

Have a good day!

Pete

How do you get better at riding in bad weather? You said practice and I thought of getting caught in storms and said aloud, bad luck. Ha. I guess it’s all perspective.

November 6, 2012 at 7:01 pm #955005

JorgeGortex
Participant

I’ve been involved in the sport of rowing since hs some (erk!) 25 years ago. The thing that rowing did for me is make me impervious to weather… or at least a bad attitude about weather. Is it cold/wet/snowing/sleeting/O’dark-30? Eh, so what? It is life, it is nature, it is a challenge and obstacle to overcome. This mentality has helped me make it through some miserable days in late February when the rest of the world is holed up under blankets with hot chocolate. I feel invigorated having not let the natural world stop me, but instead becoming part of it. Experience over the years has given me the wisdom to know when to back off a bit and play it safe so that I can enjoy these challenges long into my dottering old man years.

Life is to be experienced, get out there (smartly). Cheers to ya Pete.

JG

November 7, 2012 at 12:46 am #955036

Dirt
Participant

@Terpfan 35220 wrote:

How do you get better at riding in bad weather? You said practice and I thought of getting caught in storms and said aloud, bad luck. Ha. I guess it’s all perspective.

I go out riding when it isn’t that bad…. start with light rain. Go from there.

Sometimes you get caught out. Honestly, I keep a pretty good eye on the weather and it doesn’t happen very often.

November 7, 2012 at 12:49 am #955038

Dirt
Participant

@JorgeGortex 35256 wrote:

Life is to be experienced, get out there (smartly).

You’ve got that right, sir! I’m pretty stoked for a harsh winter. I didn’t get enough last year. I’d like more experience.

November 7, 2012 at 1:14 am #955044

dbb
Participant

The mantra goes like this:

I’ve been colder before and I’ll be colder again.
I’ve been hotter before and I’ll be hotter again.
I’ve been wetter before and I’ll be wetter again.

I say it until the pain goes away.

November 7, 2012 at 2:39 pm #955060

DaveK
Participant

This thread suddenly feels relevant.

November 7, 2012 at 2:42 pm #955059

JeffC
Participant

Since staring commuting about 5 years ago, my idea of what is extreme has changed. High or low temps really don’t bother me much or pose an obstacle. Each season has its challenges: spring has pollen which makes things miserable as a contact lens wearer; summer has the high temps and thunder storms; fall has much less light and tons of leaves on the ground; and winter has the cold and ice.

The one time I wiped out and injured myself was on wet leaves and twigs near the S curve of death. The biggest impediment I perceive to habitual safe commutes is not extreme weather but extremely inept bike riding skills I see from others. In short, while weather is a challenge to me, my perception is that man made challenges pose more of a risk to my safety.

November 7, 2012 at 3:09 pm #955056

rcannon100
Participant

I love it when it gets so cold that the only dudes you still see out on the trails…. are wearing shorts.

The posers wearing full winter gear at 50 degrees have retreated to their cabin in the woods, sitting in front of a fire with a warm cup of coco

This morning on the MVT – all shorts, all the time.

November 7, 2012 at 4:09 pm #955077

DaveK
Participant

@rcannon100 35324 wrote:

I love it when it gets so cold that the only dudes you still see out on the trails…. are wearing shorts.

The posers wearing full winter gear at 50 degrees have retreated to their cabin in the woods, sitting in front of a fire with a warm cup of coco

This morning on the MVT – all shorts, all the time.

I admire these guys’ ethic but they’re completely insane. Below 60 degrees? Cover your knees.

November 7, 2012 at 4:15 pm #955078

Tim Kelley
Participant

@DaveK 35335 wrote:

I admire these guys’ ethic but they’re completely insane. Below 60 degrees? Cover your knees.

Do you even know Landall? https://twitter.com/landall/status/121935001116876800

November 7, 2012 at 4:19 pm #955080

jrenaut
Participant

I’m looking forward to riding home in the snow this evening in shorts.

November 7, 2012 at 4:39 pm #955085

TwoWheelsDC
Participant

@DaveK 35335 wrote:

I admire these guys’ ethic but they’re completely insane. Below 60 degrees? Cover your knees.

Sweet, now I don’t feel like such a wimp for rockin’ the tights/knickers lately. Now I have science on my side!

November 7, 2012 at 4:59 pm #955086

DaveK
Participant

@TwoWheelsDC 35344 wrote:

Sweet, now I don’t feel like such a wimp for rockin’ the tights/knickers lately. Now I have science on my side!

Science!

I wore tights and full lined shoe covers yesterday, my legs were warm and happy. I haven’t been spandexed up to ride a lot lately since my commute is only 6-7 miles, so I’m still trying to remember how all my layers work together.

November 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm #955088

Dirt
Participant

@DaveK 35335 wrote:

I admire these guys’ ethic but they’re completely insane. Below 60 degrees? Cover your knees.

It is wise to take car of your knees… and that’s generally a good rule.

November 7, 2012 at 5:21 pm #955089

TwoWheelsDC
Participant

@DaveK 35345 wrote:

Science!

I wore tights and full lined shoe covers yesterday, my legs were warm and happy. I haven’t been spandexed up to ride a lot lately since my commute is only 6-7 miles, so I’m still trying to remember how all my layers work together.

I’m can wear shorts down into the 40s and still be okay, but at the same time, my legs don’t get too hot if I wear tights at that temp…so I choose the warmer option.
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