My Morning Commute

[Rockford10]

The long pants would have helped this morning. Brrrr.

[KayakCyndi]

@americancyclo 98033 wrote:

Looks like it’s Shield Flash now from the Nike Store, but at $395-$500 it ain’t cheap. I can see why $300 seems like a bargain after that.

Of course they could always rock a free BikeArlington vest and get pretty much the same effect

Another option popped up today while I was indulging in a little online retail therapy — the Sugoi Zap Jacket. $150 and it pretty much does the same thing. Spend $10 more and you can get a convertible one with zip off sleeves.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6930[/ATTACH]

http://www.rei.com/product/875014/sugoi-zap-versa-bike-jacket-mens

[hozn]

@Rockford10 98334 wrote:

The long pants would have helped this morning. Brrrr.

There were a shocking number of people in shorts this am! Maybe because yesterday was so abnormally warm (in the morning)? Weather.com said 42° at 5:30; The Garmin said 35-38° around Arlington / DC / MoCo, 33° out near Hunter Mill. My personal rule is knees covered below ~60°, long pants below ~50°. Shoe covers below 45°. Boots below freezing. That seems to work. And having a simple rule that I always follow takes a lit of indecision out of getting dressed. Its bad enough to have to deal with the extra clothing in winter; adding indecision starts to really stretch my commute.

[vern]

And this morning the shorts issue didn’t come up because there simply weren’t any riders out there. I guess a combo of the temps and Halloween kept a lot of people home. I enjoyed the open space and thought it felt really good after my body warmed up a couple miles in. I wore two layers, booties, bandanna on my head, and only liner gloves under my regular cycling gloves – and that all worked out just right.

[Crickey7]

I find biking on Halloween especially helpful, because everyone hits the road at the exact same time to go home before it gets dark. Plus my ride goes up Mass Ave in the evening, and the parade of college kids hitting the embassies is terrific to see.

[pfunkallstar]

@vern 98456 wrote:

And this morning the shorts issue didn’t come up because there simply weren’t any riders out there. I guess a combo of the temps and Halloween kept a lot of people home. I enjoyed the open space and thought it felt really good after my body warmed up a couple miles in. I wore two layers, booties, bandanna on my head, and only liner gloves under my regular cycling gloves – and that all worked out just right.

I proudly sport shorts down to freezing or so – I was born with this leg hair, I will damn well make use of it.

[vern]

@pfunkallstar 98489 wrote:

I proudly sport shorts down to freezing or so – I was born with this leg hair, I will damn well make use of it.

Haha…Once upon a time that was me as well, but my knees no longer appreciate temperatures below 50.

[consularrider]

@KayakCyndi 98418 wrote:

Another option popped up today while I was indulging in a little online retail therapy — the Sugoi Zap Jacket. $150 and it pretty much does the same thing. Spend $10 more and you can get a convertible one with zip off sleeves.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6930[/ATTACH]

http://www.rei.com/product/875014/sugoi-zap-versa-bike-jacket-mens

Comes in red, black, or hi-viz. Amazon has it for $109. Just make sure you don’t buy the older (pre-2014), cheaper version which is non-reflective. My hi-viz version is supposed to arrive next Friday.

[Greenbelt]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10320386_739594466107273_2905830208117401060_n.jpg?oh=bac09ce5b1fce0612671de96bf3b2bb7&oe=54DEB4D8&__gda__=1420581810_b063faa3559b63d19b1b88f733641d24[/IMG]

[Kolohe]

There’s so many, they’ve Guamed the cycle track!

[Sunyata]

My morning commute was not dark this morning!!!

After commuting in full dark for the past month or so, it was kind of refreshing to commute in the light, even though I kept freaking out that I was super late to work.

Apparently all the early morning commuters thought it was too cold out, since I only saw a couple of other cyclists on my route this morning. I stayed pretty warm, with the exception of my fingers. I guess it is about time to get those bar mitts! 😎

[Crickey7]

It was so cold, both my chest hairs stood up.

This morning was a good test run for gear acquired in the off season. Still need some fine tuning, though. It’s too early for ear protection, too warm for lobstah gloves and heavy vests, just right for toe covers and midweight tights.

[Greenbelt]

Morning sunshine
[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/q83/p526x296/10801471_740934949306558_2871355346097540902_n.jpg?oh=5edaefaabe3b615301f76ac4daac3a61&oe=54EFE6B2&__gda__=1424633379_e3da766b2f5cd0deaf9478bf9f64d761[/IMG]

[Harry Meatmotor]

@Sunyata 98584 wrote:

… even though I kept freaking out that I was super late to work.

just wait ’till this evening, you’ll be freaking out that you’re late getting home, too!

[dkel]

@Crickey7 98591 wrote:

This morning was a good test run for gear acquired in the off season. Still need some fine tuning, though. It’s too early for ear protection, too warm for lobstah gloves and heavy vests, just right for toe covers and midweight tights.

I always enjoy posts like this because it demonstrates to me how different each rider is! By mid-50s, I have to wear my ear warmers, but down into the low 40s, I’m too hot in tights. I’ve also been keeping on my cycling sandals all this time, sometimes with light socks, sometimes with wool socks (today was a light socks day); I don’t own regular cycling shoes, let alone shoe covers.

[Author]

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