Winter weather tips thread?

[vern]

@Subby 151497 wrote:

I guess you can wear some of your weird uncle’s old sweaters if you want to look like a cycling hobo or whatever, but it might be worth it to splurge and buy a wool long sleeve cycling jersey. That, paired with a long sleeve base layer will keep you squared away down into the high 30s and you can even layer a matching (black) lightweight windbreaker if the wind is ridiculous.

Jersey and a base layer down to 30…c’mon…high 30’s???

[Anonymous]

@Steve O 151479 wrote:

I wasn’t making any assumptions about your particular commute; I was reacting to the video. You, (not me, you) could take any of your bikes out on that road and ride down it at 10-12 mph without any problem. No special tires or chains or zip ties required. It doesn’t require any secret, special skill that only I know. Moving bikes are stable and will stay up. You just have to believe. In fact, you would likely have more problem at a “uselessly slow speed” than at a moderate speed. Yes, slower than clear pavement, but not that much.
That bike he had? Same thing. Without the chains, he could have just gotten on and started riding down the street. Now he couldn’t have done the slaloming and that sort of thing, but if he just wanted to ride it, he could have–using the bicycle skills he already has.
Does that mean special tires wouldn’t be appropriate for other circumstances? Sure. I just found the video to be overblown in that regard.

The “slaloming and that sort of thing” are the kind of handling abilities that make it possible to dodge debris or make sudden turns and stops to avoid, say, being right-hooked by cars making turns directly into or in front of you. Being able to respond quickly to hazards without falling down in front of large moving vehicles (which are also going to be less able than normal to respond quickly without going sliding) is exactly the type of ability that makes you safer riding in traffic.

[Tim Kelley]

This is where we say “Poor Steve O” right?

[TwoWheelsDC]

@vern 151499 wrote:

Jersey and a base layer down to 30…c’mon…high 30’s???

Too much time in the saddle has restricted blood flow to the portion of his brain that responds appropriately to hot and cold.

[Steve O]

@Tim Kelley 151546 wrote:

This is where we say “Poor Steve O” right?

No. “Rich Steve O,” since I don’t have to spend money on studded tires and the like. Instead I’ll buy socks to compete in the sock game pointless prize. Much better use.

[cvcalhoun]

@Subby 151497 wrote:

I guess you can wear some of your weird uncle’s old sweaters if you want to look like a cycling hobo or whatever, but it might be worth it to splurge and buy a wool long sleeve cycling jersey. That, paired with a long sleeve base layer will keep you squared away down into the high 30s and you can even layer a matching (black) lightweight windbreaker if the wind is ridiculous.

If I want not to look like a hobo, I take a shower and put on a business suit. I’m not at all sure that I can look like anything other than a hobo while windblown, sweaty, helmet-haired, etc. So I’ve reconciled myself to my fate, and wear whatever keeps me comfortable.

[americancyclo]

@Steve O 151556 wrote:

No. “Rich Steve O,” since I don’t have to spend money on studded tires and the like. Instead I’ll buy socks to compete in the sock game pointless prize. Much better use.

You just forefitted your “Poor Steve O” this year when you fall on the ice and are out of the Saddle Freezing Bicycle Rides.

[americancyclo]

@cvcalhoun 151557 wrote:

If I want not to look like a hobo, I take a shower and put on a business suit. I’m not at all sure that I can look like anything other than a hobo while windblown, sweaty, helmet-haired, etc. So I’ve reconciled myself to my fate, and wear whatever keeps me comfortable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YILie_enB4k#t=490

[drevil]

We should have cvcalhoun and Steve o do a slalom race on an icy road. Cv has to wear her suit but can use her Slipnots, and Steve o uses his basket bike but can only use one hand while the other is taking selfies.

The person with the least broken hips wins.

[cvcalhoun]

@drevil 151568 wrote:

We should have cvcalhoun and Steve o do a slalom race on an icy road. Cv has to wear her suit but can use her Slipnots, and Steve o uses his basket bike but can only use one hand while the other is taking selfies.

The person with the least broken hips wins.

We’re not even talking the fewest broken hips (it apparently being assumed that each of us will have two broken hips)? We’re talking X-rays to show which ones are least broken?

Somehow, I’m seeing a lot of down sides to this competition.

[lordofthemark]

@cvcalhoun 151570 wrote:

We’re not even talking the fewest broken hips (it apparently being assumed that each of us will have two broken hips)? We’re talking X-rays to show which ones are least broken?

Somehow, I’m seeing a lot of down sides to this competition.

I see what you did there.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@hozn 151461 wrote:

FWIW, there are a few models of folding studded tires. After splashing out for some 45NRTH Xerxes (folding) tires last winter, my opinion on studded tires (i.e. “horrible slog”) has changed dramatically.

So…a few weeks ago I mounted my old Schwalbe Marathon Winters on my spare wheelset after measuring to make sure they’d fit my CX frame. They were 2.0s originally purchased for and used on a MTB, so I knew they’d be tight. But when I initially put them on my spare CX wheels, I didn’t have time to actually put them on the bike. Well, I tried putting them the bike tonight and they were too big by about a millimeter. So those will be up for sale shortly and in the meantime I ordered a pair of Xerxes. I like that they’re lighter and better suited to non-icy conditions anyway, so I’m glad I at least have some excuse to make the switch.

[Steve O]

@drevil 151568 wrote:

and Steve O uses his basket bike but can only use one hand while the other is taking selfies.

Or no hands with a 6-pack of beer in the basket.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13074[/ATTACH]

[Phatboing]

@cvcalhoun 151443 wrote:

I’m reluctant to do that, because it’s not like Ohio, in which there is a season in which snow is always on the ground. Most times, the extra traction is required only for a week or less at a time, and I don’t want my ride slowed down for months in order to cover isolated weeks.

I think the Slipnots will be my best option. Just keeping my fingers crossed that they will work well with my rim brakes and fenders. (The site says I need only a quarter inch of clearance, and I should have that.)

Did you get the Slipnots and are they good? After this week’s snow and subsequent icy deathtrappings, I’m thinking I might need a pair for the 1 day every 2 years that there’ll be ice on the roads.

[cvcalhoun]

@Phatboing 154660 wrote:

Did you get the Slipnots and are they good? After this week’s snow and subsequent icy deathtrappings, I’m thinking I might need a pair for the 1 day every 2 years that there’ll be ice on the roads.

I got them. But I still haven’t gotten enough snow to use them.

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