[benlindorf]

Same – I struggled with cold toes using wool socks, toe covers, shoe covers, etc. until I bought a pair of Bontrager OMW winter biking boots on off-season clearance at my LBS (The Bike Lane in Reston) 2 seasons ago.  They are a bear to put on and take off (keep hoping they will soften over time and use), and the fit is so on-the-nose that I can’t wear thick socks with them, but they keep my feet toasty in any temperature.

You didn’t ask about hands/fingers but I can’t sing the praises of Bar Mitts enough.  They admittedly look stupid, but they are a game changer for me in keeping my winter rides comfortable.  I spent years riding with bulky ski gloves and hated sacrificing control for warmth.  No more!  I can ride temps in the teens with thin cycling/winter gloves and still be comfortable.

[benlindorf]

Hey Team!  Second time doing Freezing Saddles for me, and I share Ken’s frustration with the W&OD being out of commission right now!

I have lived in the Oakton, VA area for the past 24 years, and my wife and I have four children – with only one still at home.  I am an attorney with a local non-profit, and have been an off-and-on bike commuter to DC or Alexandria since graduating from law school.  In January 2021, I made the decision to completely stop driving to work, which quickly expanded to using my bike as much as possible for errands, social visits, and “collecting” heat map segments on Strava!  I alternate between e-bikes and analog bikes, and generally only “wimp out” when it comes to ice – after a few bad falls, I HATE riding on ice!

I am also a coach with NICA (the national racing league for for youth cross-country mountain biking), so I need to maintain some semblance of biking shape in preparation for practices to start back up in March!  My favorite recreational riding activity is bikepacking, and after doing the C&O and GAP several times, I am looking forward to finding some new trails (and people to ride them with me)!  I’m typically not available for group rides on Sunday, so I’m hoping we can find a way to get together on other days of the week as well.  My winter availability is also compromised by my youngest daughter’s penchant for skiing as much as possible, so I’ll be juggling that as well.

Looking forward to another great Freezing Saddles season!

[benlindorf]

Thanks to everyone who organizes and supports this quirky game!  I was blown away at the degree of support and involvement by the players and organizers last year, and look forward to participating more fully in the “side quests” this season!  Bring on the cold!

[benlindorf]

Decided in 2021 that I wasn’t going to drive to work anymore – after two years of commuting by bike year-round, I’m excited to learn about FS!

[Author]

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