My Morning Commute

[S. Arlington Observer]

@DismalScientist 126410 wrote:

How are you people going to survive when it actually gets cold?:rolleyes:

Agree. It was not actually that cold today. A light jacket, light gloves and ear muffs sufficed for me. (My ears do get cold easily). But these transition seasons can be sort of challenging. At least in the middle of a polar vortex one knows how to dress.

Sort of cold – but not really cold — takes a lot more thought. How warm will I be when I finish? And how much do I want to strap on my bike on the way home when it will be warmer? In summer there is little danger of under dressing and in winter little danger of over dressing. But this time of year it is possible to err either way. Experience helps.

[Steve O]

@DismalScientist 126410 wrote:

How are you people going to survive when it actually gets cold?:rolleyes:

+1

Rode in with no jacket, just my dress shirt and pants (no tie; I put that on after I arrived), BA reflective vest, a cycling cap (not the kind with ear flaps either, no helmet) and (admittedly) light gloves. Scarf? Long underwear? Wool cap? You’ve got to be kidding.

[GovernorSilver]

Bob didn’t actually say he rode with that getup on. I bet he put it all on just for the pics, then rode to work in his summer clothes.

[TwoWheelsDC]

It was 35 and dark when I left the house, which is winter weather, so I dressed for winter. I feel no shame in that.

[hozn]

And my Garmin said 24° in the valley between Vienna and Reston. The device thermometers seem to be about 5° colder than weather station temps, but it was still winter weather. … Albeit a nice winter morning.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Yep, it was in the high 20s when I left my house so I wore thicker knickers, tall wool socks, and an insulated jersey.

I’ll deal with “real winter” when it gets here the same way I always do: by dressing appropriately for me and pushing through.

I don’t know how you people still wearing your hippie sandals deal with summer. I also don’t care.

[bobco85]

I knew I wanted to feel warm and toasty at the office today, but I didn’t realize that forgetting to bring a change of underwear would result in me wearing my long johns under my pants!

@GovernorSilver 126425 wrote:

Bob didn’t actually say he rode with that getup on. I bet he put it all on just for the pics, then rode to work in his summer clothes.

Taking a picture would require removal of glove, fishing around in my pocket for my phone, standing and moving to find the right light, taking the picture, putting my phone back in my pocket, and lastly putting my glove back on without my exposed hand freezing. I’m sure in a couple of weeks I’ll be completely used to the cold morning commute again.

[GovernorSilver]

First ride w/ the Novarra weatherproof tights I bought on sale from REI several months ago. Was disappointed to find it lacks pockets – oh well that’s the risk of buying online instead of trying in person. At least they fit. Wore the poly t-shirt on top of a base layer top, then the light cycling jacket, then the backpack. Seems to be just the right amount of layering for me, for a 45 F morning ride. Not a lot of sweat until I parked my bike in the climate controlled bike parking room.

I tried the Thomas Ave->Abingdon Dr. route again. Two stoplights I can deal with. But there doesn’t seem to be a sensor at Abingdon and Aviation Circle, that picks up someone on a bicycle. I was forced to go through the red light there. I don’t think this route buys me enough to be worth the trouble over just taking the mulch detour.

[Steve O]

@ShawnoftheDread 126443 wrote:

I don’t know how you people still wearing your hippie sandals deal with summer.

I guess I don’t know either.
After reading all your posts yesterday and noting the mid-40’s temps today, I figured there was something wrong with me. So this morning I put on my thin, windbreaker shell. After about a mile I ripped it off and threw it in my bag. Rode the rest of the way in just my dress shirt without my BA reflective jersey, because it was back at home.

All that said, I stand by the statement I have made to people for years and years: October is the best month for bicycling!

[GovernorSilver]

@bobco85 126447 wrote:

Taking a picture would require removal of glove, fishing around in my pocket for my phone, standing and moving to find the right light, taking the picture, putting my phone back in my pocket, and lastly putting my glove back on without my exposed hand freezing. I’m sure in a couple of weeks I’ll be completely used to the cold morning commute again.

Took me a while to realize you’re talking about taking the picture outside – as in, during your commute – vs. indoors.

I’d wear all that and more if i was looking at a 20 F commute too like some fellow riders reported.

[dplasters]

October is wonderful, but the temperature changes between 6am and 4pm can be tough to plan for. My favorites so far are leg and arm warmers combined with vest, skull cap thing, and castelli thermal neck thingy as needed. So far this works for me down to 30 and i can add and take away as needed and be comfortable all the way up to 60 which is just shorts and a t-shirt weather. And if it is in the 20s at 6am and in the 60s at 4pm i’m just screwed.

[ginacico]

@dplasters 126467 wrote:

October is wonderful, but the temperature changes between 6am and 4pm can be tough to plan for.

Totally. The challenges are both in the choice of what to wear and carrying capacity. My trunk bag is fine for a set of work clothes, but doesn’t have room for a bunch of extra layers I don’t need on the evening commute back home.

For the first time ever, I’m starting to get the concept of arm/leg warmers. Warmth without much extra volume.

[bentbike33]

@Steve O 126452 wrote:

October is the best month for bicycling!

Surprised there is not more challenge to this statement on the forum. There are any number of cases to be made for the other months. Even February: Cyclists get the MUTs (almost) to themselves; the raw physical challenge of staying upright on an ice-rutted MVT; you don’t need a headlight during a full moon after a snowfall, etc.

[dbb]

@Steve O 126452 wrote:

October is the best month for bicycling!

But it is tied with the other 11 months. Like REI says – Never a bad time to ride.

[Crickey7]

And you can still wear sandals.

[Author]

Posts