My Morning Commute

[consularrider]

@TwoWheelsDC 39438 wrote:

I’ve been tempted several times to buy a pair of the amfib bibs, but I can get by with just regular tights 99% of the time, so I haven’t pulled the trigger. They’d work so much better than tights over knee warmers though!

I’m holding off on those until some as yet undetermined off season sale and stored for future use. I like bib knickers and wear them with my unpadded amfib knockoff tights when it drops below freezing. Either that or a pair of merino wool base layer over my bib shorts. Winters 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 will be in a colder place than DC. By that time my DC winter clothing will have about six seasons of use and will be due for refreshing anyway. I just hope I can still ride.

[culimerc]

@KelOnWheels 39437 wrote:

Yeah, my legs get more windburnt than cold, really, although I ordered some PI AmFib tights (that should arrive tomorrow, yay!) since my kneewarmers won’t stay up

I’ve been using my AmFibs for the last couple of days, knees weren’t cold at all even on my 1 hour. And since the blood wasn’t getting chilled before it got to my feet, my feet stayed warmer. win/win

Next week I’m planning on using mid weight tights, lows only in the mid 30’s, almost balmy.

[Dirt]

One comment on the shorts/knickers/tights conversation…. Exposed skin takes a heck of a beating in weather like this. I ride in knickers and with a bare face down to certain temperatures. I also find that I need to do some pretty good skin care before bed on days like this.

[KelOnWheels]

@Dirt 39448 wrote:

One comment on the shorts/knickers/tights conversation…. Exposed skin takes a heck of a beating in weather like this. I ride in knickers and with a bare face down to certain temperatures. I also find that I need to do some pretty good skin care before bed on days like this.

I haven’t figured out what to do with my face yet. (It just LURKS there on the front of my head and refuses to leave!) It was freezing just walking from the Metro this morning though

I got the un-chamoised AmFibs so I can use them for running too, I figger that will be handy.

[rcannon100]

@KelOnWheels 39455 wrote:

I haven’t figured out what to do with my face yet. (It just LURKS there on the front of my head and refuses to leave!) It was freezing just walking from the Metro this morning though

I got the un-chamoised AmFibs so I can use them for running too, I figger that will be handy.

Personally I recommend growing a beard

[Dirt]

@KelOnWheels 39455 wrote:

I haven’t figured out what to do with my face yet.

I have claustrophobia issues and tend to just beat my face against the wind through surprisingly cold temperatures. At some point a neck gaiter (aka tube-o-fleece) goes around my neck and covers the back of my neck and around my chin. Occasionally a headband goes on and covers my forehead. It has to get pretty dang cold before I can put on a baklava (Yes. I know that’s the wrong word… I use it anyways ’cause I really want some as a snack right now).

When the nastiest of nasties happen, I’m capable of wearing a balaclava and ski goggles. Interesting psychological things happen to help my brain deal with my claustrophobia issues…. they usually manifest themselves as verbal conversations between my personalities… or an attempt to sing three different songs at the same time (which isn’t entirely different from what’s usually going on between my ears…. it is just done audibly.) Fortunately those conditions are usually bad enough that I’m the only one (edit: seven) in earshot. My rendition of “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport” (Which VVill assures me is NOT the Australian National Anthem), “Closer to God” by NIN and the “Meow, Meow, Meow” Meow Mix commercial from the 1980s could only be improved by adding in the Jeopardy Theme Song for texture. I’m guessing the addition of Frankenfinger to the chorus this year will get me that last bit that the song(s) were missing in years past.

What were we talking about?

Dirt.

[consularrider]

@KelOnWheels 39455 wrote:

I haven’t figured out what to do with my face yet. (It just LURKS there on the front of my head and refuses to leave!) It was freezing just walking from the Metro this morning though

I got the un-chamoised AmFibs so I can use them for running too, I figger that will be handy.

We’ve talked about different tolerances for cold (and heat) before, but I’m not sure what others have said about face/head issues. Over the past six winters commuting in this area, I have been adjusting what I wear with my helmet. It used to be that I pulled out an old polyprophylene balaclava when the temperature dropped below 40°F. I’ve since picked up two silk (one with spandex, one without) balaclavas, and a heavier fleece balaclava. Now I tend to only pull out the balaclava when it drops below freezing and even then once I start riding, I prefer to keep my nose and mouth uncovered unless it is bitterly cold. This means my checks and nose can end up getting windburned or dry, so like dirt, some post (and pre) ride skin care is called for. I keep looking at other forms of face maskes to use while cycling, but I haven’t found the need for anything more on my hour long winter commutes, and I tend to postpone longer winter rides when the temperature is in the 20s. That said, I think I have deerskin mask and a down mask/balaclava that I used when riding a moped during the winter in the midwest more than 25 years ago.

I’ve also found that I don’t like a heavy fleece cap under my helmet, too warm! I’m using two different weights of ear bands depending on the temperature. These either over the light balaclava below freezing or with a coolmax cap or shortie between freezing and about 45°F.

Breaks over, time to push some more paper (or buttons).

[KelOnWheels]

@rcannon100 39456 wrote:

Personally I recommend growing a beard

I’ll get right on that. Maybe I can just stick some dog hair to my face every morning. I have an endless supply…

I’m looking forward to implementing my Sterno-brocation plan – it provides heat AND visibility!

Also guaranteed to increase your cadence!

[KelOnWheels]

SIGH. I was all excited to go to Friday Coffee Club and then I overslept and had to ride in a dumb metal box. it doesn’t even go anywhere cool like space or France.

[Certifried]

@KelOnWheels 39526 wrote:

SIGH. I was all excited to go to Friday Coffee Club and then I overslept and had to ride in a dumb metal box. it doesn’t even go anywhere cool like space or France.

I hit the snooze button 6 times this morning LOL!

[jwetzel]

For my face, I use a scarf wrapped around and tucked into my shirt. I have one that that is stiff enough to stand up in front of my mouth and nose without being right on it. It lets me breath warmer and moister air and makes a huge difference. It is easy to push down out of the way if I get working really hard and start to heat up.

[sjclaeys]

I was surprised by the number of bicycle commuters out on a cold morning. Maybe they were all Freezing Saddles competitors. Also, if you take your commuter bike to the shop for a tune up over the holidays, check the seat height before getting on. Finding out that it was raised too high is not a good way to start a morning ride.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I just about ate it on Glebe on the steep hill heading down to Chain Bridge..doing about 35mph, I hit the brakes and the rear locked up immediately due to residual slickness on the road. It’s shaded through there, so the road never quite dried out from this morning’s frost. Needless to say, fishtailing at 35mph, with oncoming cars on one side and a guardrail+ditch on the other is slightly unsettling.

[Subby]

@TwoWheelsDC 39547 wrote:

I just about ate it on Glebe on the steep hill heading down to Chain Bridge..doing about 35mph, I hit the brakes and the rear locked up immediately due to residual slickness on the road. It’s shaded through there, so the road never quite dried out from this morning’s frost. Needless to say, fishtailing at 35mph, with oncoming cars on one side and a guardrail+ditch on the other is slightly unsettling.

I went that way this morning – around 7:30. That is my absolute favorite part of the route…but it also scares me to death. A lot of times you can just see the oil slick sitting there, waiting to take you down.

Glad you made it out alive…bet the ol’ adrenal gland was working overtime.

[jrenaut]

On the bright side, I’ve found that a little bit of “OMFG I’M GOING TO DIE” on your ride in makes you nice and wide awake for work.

[Author]

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